When I interviewed with PNCL almost a year ago I was by far the youngest guy in the room (just turned 21), as well as the lowest time guy (roughly 1000/250 with all the CFI's) and I was the only guy out of 11 who was hired- 3 were offered jobs and 3 screwed up the interview so I am no "superpilot" by the 1/11 statement. I was given a compliment in my HR interview that I had graduated a year early and with honors and then they asked why they should hire me instead of another guy in the breakroom with 3 times the flight time, a 4-year degree, 121 experience, and type ratings... I think the young pilot with ambition and is willing to put forth a little effort while your buddies are still doing keg stands will get you somewhere. Of course I said something more "PC" but thats the jist of it. They then told me- we will teach you what you need to know, and you will learn the rest before you are old enough to even be a CA. A 4-year degree is the first staple of a resume- its the fact that you show you can be taught and you will complete what you start. The next staple is the flight time (both TT and the columns that matter- PIC/JET), from that point in the job interview they are interviewing YOU. Age does matter, maturity and credentials matter, as does appearance (a fat slob just doesn't give as much confidence as someone who takes care of their body). A 25 year old with 4500TT and 1000TJPIC may get a better shot at the job compared to a 40 year old with 4500TT and 1000TJPIC. On a side note I can say that it is very bothersome for a CA to treat you like a kid just because his "kid" is also your age... don't get me started on this rant...Only happened twice but it still ticks me off..


Of course my "staples" are opinions up for debate... but I don't think many will find them too wrong...