Heavy jet pilot age...

[GTI1643]

Where I live I often see very young BA777 FOs...most times 24-27yrs old.....In Europe this is not unheard of..but I was wondering if in the US there were young pilots flying 747s and other heavy jets? any at Polar or Atlas?

[John Khan]

I think it happens everywhere.

What happens is that new pilots are hired by the airlines, and the airlines don't have any small aircraft, so, one day you are flying a King Air around, then you are hired by an airline at the age of, - say, 23.

After some very intensive ground school and simulator time, and when you pass, out you go onto the right seat of a large jet.

Some airlines , I know Qantas for one, have Second Officers on the flight deck in the 747s. A young person who has newly joined.

I remember in the 1980s, when they purchased the 767s, Qantas hired some new pilots and they became 767 Captains a few years later. A couple of them were my ex instructors. Some of the 747 Captains are starting to look younger aswell, but then I'm getting older too.

Regards
John

[yoni63]

Geeez these days it seems everyone is starting to look younger than me, I feel your pain John...

[Brogs]

Geeez these days it seems everyone is starting to look younger than me, I feel your pain John...

When Cops and Doctors look about 16 as in my case then you KNOW your getting old !

[mlegein]

The airlines are hiring young captains and FO to compensate for the increasingly older FA's.

[John Khan]

Yeah,

But at least we know more than the younger ones.......I think......that is if we can remember it......

John