Can you be too young?

[AJ1990]

I was just interested how Airlines view younger pilots. Would a fresh fATPL at 20 years old struggle to find employment due to being so young or would his/hers young age be viewed positively? I can't imagine many passengers being happy with a 20 year old up front :}

Thanks in advance for any help

[Mercenary Pilot]

There are plenty of 20 year old pilots flying for the airlines, its not an issue. :ok:

[Day_Dreamer]

Also 18 and 19 year old's flying modern jets
Age is not a factor, however maturity is.

The younger students and subsequent qualified pilots are mostly from the Integrated schools as the modular students are generally older and have taken longer to reach their goal.

If at the youngest age to hold a professional licence (18) you can pass the airline selection procedures then there is no reason why they wont take you.

Also ageism is against the law.

[EpsilonVaz]

There are many 20 year olds in the RH seat, you can hold a CPL from 18.

I think it is a question of maturity, I have met some 18-20 year olds in training who's attitude left a lot to be desired. However, I have also met a few who were outstanding,very responsible people (in my opinion, of course).

About me, I am 20, did modular training, and am starting my A320 type rating on Monday :ok:.

See you in the skys...

EpsilonVaz

[G SXTY]

Personally, I doubt I could have made it through airline selection aged 18 or 19. I simply didn't have the maturity or life-experience. Being 30-something gives you a lot more to talk about at an interview.

That said, there are plenty of youngsters out there who are perfectly capable of landing an airline job. I've trained with some of them, and their flying skills and maturity are very, very impressive. As regards life-experience, I do know one 20 year old airline pilot who thinks that buffalos have wings, and he still managed to get the job . . . :)

[scott5988]

If people say you are to young it s total crap as i have a friend whos is and F/O for BA on the 737 and is 19 years old. Case closed!!

[AFA]

I started with my first company at 19 and was flying A330's across the pond at 21 so I wouldn't worry about it. Whether you're mature enough at that age is entirely down to the individual and will be quite obvious at the interview stage.
Good luck

[Matt101]

scott5988If people say you are to young it s total crap as i have a friend whos is and F/O for BA on the 737 and is 19 years old. Case closed!!

was about to say we had one of those - if it's the same guy I am thinking of he is a nice chap to.

I think the thing is they are looking for people who are skilled, not old (or young or whatever else we would like to invent as a criteria). :rolleyes:

[scott5988]

COOLErm.... the guy is Called James

[bishop99]

Im 20 and have been on the line for 4months and loving every moment of it. If you want to do something, go for it.

With interviews although you won't have this so called "life experience" you can always use and adapt situations from school, work, air cadets, clubs, groups or anything you do in your spare time, so don't let that worry you.

The only down side of youth, if you go to Oxford flight school you will have a few 'dry' months in Arizona (if under 21). :(

Best of luck.

[AJ1990]

you will have a few 'dry' months in Arizona (if under 21)

I really hope your talking about the weather :}

[corsair]

so called "life experience"

Ha ha, when you have a bit you'll understand. Sorry that does sound patronising, it's not meant to be. I reckon the mid twenties is when it kicks in. But maturity and personality is more important. Some people develop quicker than others. Like G SXTY, I don't believe I was ready when I was 19, despite what I thought at the time. But I've met 19 year olds who were ready.

But being young is hardly a problem. Best time to start if you can.

[Vortex Thing]

Seems old enough to command a platoon under fire in Iraq or Afghanistan so I would think that the slightly less pressured job of flying an airliner should be within the grasp of anyone in their early 20s (caveatted of course with the personal maturity of the individual)

There are many 40+ year old pilots I have flown with who I only get into the cockpit with out of sheer curiosity. Age tends to bring greater experience but the individual personality you have may make you 20 years older or younger easily!! Good luck VT

[Mister Geezer]

Age is no issue. I think I am proof of it... :ok:

21: First airline job on a prop
24: Got my command on a medium jet
26: Made up to a Line Training Captain

[BerksFlyer]

MG,

Out of interest, did you leave school at 18?

[dougy24]

AJ1990

Like the others said, I wouldnt worry about it, I am now 49, been flying for 6 years and am an F/O with a TP operator, if anything I would say being older and starting in aviation later in life has held me back (not that its suppose to in the eyes of the law).

But as someone pointed out your not too young to win a VC etc, at 22 I was in the army and involved in the Falklands where I had the privilidge of serving with a lot of young guys average age 19 -22 doing outstanding things and who were very capable of leading by example etc. Just because your young does not make you any less of a responsible person that is capable of doing the job...you go for it, and the best of luck.

:D

[MidgetBoy]

It's only a problem when you have the hours to apply for a DEFO position but you lack your ATPL due to age.. it's rare, but possible...

[Mister Geezer]

BerksFlyer

Out of interest, did you leave school at 18?

Yep... I did leave school when I was 18. Started my CPL training when I was 19. Seems so long ago now!!! :)

[Dihaz]

HI guys,

Im now 19 and just finished ATPL. Im starting to think that a certain irish outfit (mentioning no names) might be being ageist. After going through an interview the first time I was rejected. So I thoguht fair enough I may have lacked somthing somewhere. After taking half a day in the sim I went into the interview the second time and answered every tech question in a text book mannner, got them all correct and this time I made sure that I knew it wasnt the HR side that let me down the first time. The sim went excellent aswell. Was told a week later that you didnt get in. I know its not a question of maturity as im very mature for my age (immature people dont get through the training).

Im not feeling sorry for myself or anything of the sort and ill carry on improving my skills, plodding along with interviews, but my current situation with this company has been making me think.

[charliejulietthotel]

Best thing about it, especially if you look young (i've been accused of being 13!) and having a RHS job, is walking through the terminal and seeing the punters faces, you know all of them are thinking awww isn't that cute, he must be on work experience and must think he's a pilot, and then when they get on the plane and realise i am their pilot and see them turn a little white, and then grease it onto the runway, and for them to congratulate you as they walk off, tis a good feeling! going to football matches for kid's prices and then have a pint at the pub afterwards is also a good feeling!

If you have the confidence and enthusiasm to go into an interview and know sufficient information about the company, and for them not to think thank fook i don't have to sit next to this knob cheese for the next 8 hours, you'll do fine, regardless of age.

[Dihaz]

thanks charliejulietthotel!!