Just outta curiosity......why do some airlines like comair, ask for age 21 and some dont really care?
is it an insurance thing?

 

They probably want to ensure that you will be old enough to upgrade when your seniority allows (age 23). Also passengers really don't like to see what appear to be teenagers piloting their aircraft...there was a guy at mesa who looked abot 14 (literally) and I have seen pax take one look, turn around, and get off the plane.

Same reason cops usually have to be 21-23.

 

Age doesn't matter these days anymore to apply, as long as you have 250 hrs. of flight time!

 

I know of some guys over 25 that look 15, I don't think that is really a reason.

 

With the Average Upgrade at Comair running about 5+ years thats probably NOT the reason.. who knows why not ask some one from Comair HR

 

Three major reasons why Comair any many other regional airlines require their pilots to be ATLEAST 21 years old.

1. Comair (and most other regionals) listed a college degree as preferred. Most people cannot get a 4 year college degree by the time they are 21. So this is used as a way to weed out people who don't have college degrees.

2. Like rickair said, passengers don't like to have teenagers (literally) piloting their aircraft. While I know a few 19 and 20 year olds who have been hired at regionals, they prefer not to hire pilots at that young age.

3. They want you to be able to upgrade when your seniority allows it. Again, you need to be 23 to upgrade to captain, so at many regionals like Skywest, ExpressJet, Republic, etc..., hiring a 19 year old means they will spend 4 years as FO.

Get your college degree. Then go fly for an airline. You will be cheating yourself out of MILLION(S) OF DOLLARS by not getting a college degree.

 

Very well said. As tempting as it is to apply to the regionals it is more important to get the degree and then go. Besides, the hours and experience you get during that time will only make you a better candidate.

 

Might have something to do with maturity level and a work background that is more than just sitting next to someone and saying "what next boss?"

 

I disagree with all of these. My guess is that it is just another way to sort out the resumes. Could be insurance purposes too. But, it's all just speculation.

 

Not sure exactly, but I can speculate all day. I say maturity is a strong reason. I think maturity increases exponentially after 21 (except for me). When I was 21 the only things I was qualified to operate were a keg and my truck to drive to the store to purchase said keg.