I would imagine that the great majority of pro pilots on pprune could have duplicated this,if we had someone pay for our flying and an "in" at an airline.

So what if his parents paid and got him a job at the airline, you would do the exact same for your children and if you were in his situation you would expect it as well.

We are forever criticising those parents that don't take an interest in their childrens future and when they do...

Willie Walsh was an Aer Lingus F/O at 19 yrs - look where he ended up .

ok, who is willie walsh?

'He put up the money to do it' - beats coming from a council house background !

Had a friend in the SAAF who was flying Buccanneers by 19.

:ok: Thanks

Seven

ok, who is willie walsh?

Funnily enough, they once asked the same question at BA!;)

Jack

Care to elaborate on that statement?

As for this lad, yeah good on him, I am pleased for him. I'm not jealous or envious as I have my own job but I do agree that it is no more of an achievement than most of us here. I found a great job & left school at 16, I am old, I took the modular route, does that make my 1st airline job an achievement too? Just because people are saying the same does not make them jealous, they're speaking the truth. Big deal, the lad has done well for himself as have most of us but what has he done that's so fantastic?
Also if my 2 small daughters want to fly when they are older then of course I'd do my best to ensure they get what they want, as a parent you always want what's best for your children, but if they think I am paying for the weddings as well they are in for a shock. ;)

I've seen people go from 0 hours to their 200 req for CPL (+ME IFR) in Canada in 8 weeks. Not to mention, A LOT of people getting CPL at 18, it's just that most people don't have a dad that can give them a F/O seat on an airliner jet.

Oh right, I heard from a friend that there was a 16 yr old F/O that worked in some small china airline working as a translator but was considered F/O as he also knew how to fly aircraft. (Nothing large, but you know china!)

There were plenty of 18 year olds flying Spitfires in the RAF during WW2.

I agree.. a lot of fuss over nothing. It is not uncommon these days to see FO's at early 20's. A friend of mine was 19 on the 737, now on the airbus with a major UK airline, and certainly wasn't the first or last in the country. It's confusing why this guy is being made out to be any different by being put in the paper..when really...he is amongst many.

Hey if the guy is experienced and responsible, I rather have him fly me than that 50 year old with tons of problems (at home), may be frustrated and perhaps already physicaly diminished. Oh yeah before you flame me, I'm about that age (50ish)
Congratulations man, I wish you the best!!

ok, please, I give up...who is willie walsh and what is the story?

I mean, I would share with you the best place to eat at KBOS...give me a break.

I think the coverage in the paper will be nice for him to look back on when he's older! :D I would read the papers more if they had less doom and gloom stories!

I'm cabin crew and at my previous airline I told people I was leaving because I wanted to be a Purser they thought I was mad and too young.. (I'm in my 20's) Just goes to show many people younger than me are in much more responsible jobs onboard our a/c! :D

OK "sevenstrokeroll", l will help you out, but you could have used that well known search engine.
He was the brought in as the CEO of Aer Lingus when they were in the deep you know what and turned them around, now he is CEO of the airline that can lose more luggage than any other, that is BA.:ok:

You are some strange man. :rolleyes:

They interviewed him on our local radio station this morning just before 7:30. Good luck to him, hope he's still enjoying it in later years.

Well done to him, but he is not the only one. Around october 2007 a guy from Iceland joined FR when he just turned 19. Took his ATPL's and finished his A levels together.
I think they've done well, but take it easy in the media.
Safe flying.

sevenstrokeroll, Willie Walsh was an Aer Lingus sponsored cadet, became qaulified, went into management and eventually landed the CEO role in BA.