Can you imagine being among the youngest in that first new-hire class? Just think of the career and seniority that say a 26 year old new-hire will enjoy at AA given the lack of ANY hiring in more than ten years. Some guys have (or will) all the luck.
I know a few people that were in their mid 20's 10 years ago at US Air (after a decade of no hiring there) that thought they had all of the luck! (None of them work there anymore)