Originally Posted by
FlyRight2876
Sure, without getting into ageism or anything divisive or rude. Most of the older pilots in that range have been out of the industry or never in the industry and have been flying small planes around for years with little to no flight instruction given or dual pilot situations.
Additionally, it's no surprise that as we get older it becomes more difficult to learn and/or adapt to new training as people get stuck in their ways and are less sharp as they age.
This is not true with everyone and much of success in training (both ground, sim and IOE) depends on someone's effort put forward. This is true with any age group. Young and older.
United, Delta and American target most people in the early to mid thirties to early 40's with turbine PIC time. If you have a problem with that you should ask their HR department about it. Will leave it at that.
As someone who has done IOE on folks ranging from 25 to 59 you are making a huge generalization.
I had 25 yr old IOE students struggle just as a 55 yr old. It all comes down to recently of experience and background.
I can also tell you (from personal experience) that since February the new hires are outstanding. Most are completing IOE in under 40 hrs.