Age doesn't really matter as long as you act as a professional. Look at Boy Captain. I think he was hired before he started 10th grade... (Actually somewhere around 24-25 and one of the youngest people hired). There have been many people hired before 30 so again it's not the age - it the ability, knowledge and way you present yourself. Many guys have far more than 2 names. If those two names were former management, still liked, and still on property - they still better be knocking the doors down to the ACP's to get you a look-see. I know some people that had good resume's, 10 references, a sponsor, and a couple other senior pilots working on their behalf. You've got to network. Those need to be more than two names - they need to be people who will REALLY go to bat for you - introduce to other crewmembers who will recommend you, etc...

I'd say that a regional route will probably get you the PIC time far faster than the corporate route. It's going to suck (regional F/O) but it will be a lot longer by the time you get the experience to move to the left seat of the Citation & Gulfstream and then get the 1500 (min) to get an interview. 1500 hrs isn't competitive, a good reasonable mark is 3000+PIC. There are guys who get hired with 10,000+ heavy jet time and that's who you're competing against for a shot at an interview. There's a lot of former regional guys here and they tend to recommend people from their former airline (unless the guys a turd and they're blackballed). It's a good networking tool, second to being in a military squadron / reserve military squadron with several guys who work here.

Also don't limit yourself to only FedEx. UPS is a great and solid company (even if they wear brown ) They have great equipment & good people.