I have a good friend from high school, I got him a job as my copilot flying the Turbo Commode when he was about 21.

2 years later he got hired at American at age 23, right at the front of their big hiring wave in 1984. He spent 4 months on the 727 panel, 4 years in the right seat, and at age 27 checked out as a 727 Capt. He's still there, flying 777 Capt., he's about 52 and his number is less than 300.

The kicker?

A former student of his got hired at AA a few classes ahead of him, who is younger than him!

Oh, and he still has a funded retirement.

I'd rather be lucky than good, he was both!