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Age 21 Rule?

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Whataburger

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 30, 2005
Posts
2,961
Since there is an impending pilot shortage should we push to get the ATP min age down to 21? If you can drink, vote, and get drafted, why can't ya be a Capt of an airplane? It ain't rocket surgery.
 
just snarfed my Diet Coke all over the screen...


yeah, ALPA...what the hell??? why not???:laugh:
 
Considering that I didnt begin to accrue certificates until I was 26ish, at 21 I personally would NOT have been in any position to command a 121 RJ full of 50-100 people. Too much of a joker and "skater" (as in skating through life) in my early 20's to be serious enough to make a PA. The thought almost makes me laugh. Then again, I was actually very mature and responsible in some ways back then but have grown more silly in the last few years.
 
BTW, those years were spent in college.

Why is everyone so bent on not getting a degree in lieu of a seniority number. There's more to learn in life than flying. You might actually come across educated and full of wonderful tales as a graduate.
 
I'm way past 23, but I sure was a lot more mature at 23 than I was at 21.
Yeah, but you were also a lot less likely to need a colostomy bag at 21 than 65. If the half-dead geezers can fly in the left seat, why not the kids? (I'm only half joking)
 
Do any of you believe that the same "Fair Treatment" fighters are going to fight for the guys at the bottom? That should be a sign to all that this 65 thing had NOTHING to do with being "FAIR". Why not take the age 23 restriction off? Its age discrimination!! If a guy can pas a medical he can fly past 60; if a pilot can pass the ATP ride at 21 why not? Just try and get these guys to fight for that? I would put all my chips on the fact that nothing would ever be done about that Discriminating Age!!
 
Very true. A 21 year old fo has to fly to ATP standards for their PC and SIC Type. Some people are more mature than others at any age.
 
Based on my experience with the new hires in our right seats, I dont think this would be a good idea!

My observations over the last few months with the youngsters are as follows:

-Leveling off and not remembering to bring up the power levers because they are too busy talking about upgrading on their 23 birthday.

-Their leg, climbing into serious icing while chatting away about their upgrade oblivious to the fact that we should probably turn on some engine anti-ice, boots, and maybe change climb rate and or altitude before we fall out of the sky.

-Asking them their opionion about anything in our FOM and getting the response "I didnt pay attention to that in class much but come on, when am I gonna get that upgrade"

With that said they are hiring a fine bunch of young people here, with the only issue being simple maturity, and in time they will make great captains. With that said I would put a COUPLE of our 20 year olds in the left seat and throw my family in the back without a second thought.
 
Based on my experience with the new hires in our right seats, I dont think this would be a good idea!

My observations over the last few months with the youngsters are as follows:

-Leveling off and not remembering to bring up the power levers because they are too busy talking about upgrading on their 23 birthday.

-Their leg, climbing into serious icing while chatting away about their upgrade oblivious to the fact that we should probably turn on some engine anti-ice, boots, and maybe change climb rate and or altitude before we fall out of the sky.

-Asking them their opionion about anything in our FOM and getting the response "I didnt pay attention to that in class much but come on, when am I gonna get that upgrade"

With that said they are hiring a fine bunch of young people here, with the only issue being simple maturity, and in time they will make great captains. With that said I would put a COUPLE of our 20 year olds in the left seat and throw my family in the back without a second thought.

Old Capts make the same screw-ups except the reason is that they are (A) Sleeping more than "Flash" on the "Dukes" or (B) trying to find which pair of glasses to put on.
 
Why not get rid of all age discrimination in aviation for pilots? We can let all pilots get their ATP and check out as captains for Part 121 at any age. And at the same time we could get rid of the age-65 rule! That is most certainly age discrimination. Let all pilots fly as long as they can pass all the medical tests and check-rides. What do you think? This thread is on to something!

Old enough to vote, drink and fight is certainly a qualification to be a 121 captain! Yes it is. I agree.
 
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You know, there's one silver lining in this whole thing: knowing that UndauntedFlyer got booted out before the rule changed. It's a beautiful thing.
 

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