My experience, and my opinion, of course.

I'm not particularly interested in getting dragged into the whole military vs. 3000 hr 152 pattern jockeys vs. Riddle vs. yadda yadda yadda. It's been done to death. But I understand flightinfo loves a good flame war on this topic, so head there for battle if you really want.

Fact is, planes are simply getting easier and easier to fly as they take the pilot out of the "hands on" flying portion and put him in the "systems management", JUDGMENT role.

If anything, I'm more biased towards newer pilots that have had previous careers that required them to exercise independent judgment. (Cops are perfect, small businessmen and any military service, etc.).

While there are exceptions, I'd also say that there's a certain age range that's perfect. Age 21 . . .not so good. Age 30-ish . . . much better. Age 50 . . . those can be some cantankerous old bastids (I should know!)