According to the HR class I took a couple of years ago, there is no such thing as age discrimination at the lower end of the spectrum. There are no laws (other than child labor laws) that regulate discrimination at the younger ages, therefore it cannot be illegal. I seem to remember the only laws for age discrimination were at the upper end of the spectrum. I don't remember exactly, but the age where it started was around 50 or so.
As for the airlines choosing not to hire under a certain age, I am perfectly okay with that. Yes, some of you may not think its fair, especially if you don't meet the requirement, but the airlines have it for a reason. They most likely did hire under that age at one point in time, but found it to cause them more trouble and headaches than it was worth. This causing them to decide not to hire under a certain age.
I know you guys that are 18, 19, and 20 right now think you are being screwed, but you aren't. Yes some of you may be mature enough to handle the responsiblities, but you are more of the exception than the rule in that case. I too thought I was really responsible at that age. All my teachers and the adults around me would always tell me how mature I was for my age. Then I turned 19, then 20, then 21. I remember looking back each year and thinking I did a lot of immature things the year before. Then I turned 21 and thought "awesome I'm 21 and an adult now!" Now I'm 23 and look back at how immature I was at 21. Yes I know I'm still not fully mature all the time, but I'm probably 100 times more mature than I was when I was 18. When I turn 25, I'm sure I will look back and think how stupid I was at 23. My point being, don't let your view get skewed. The airlines have created these hiring requirements because they have found it to be in their best interests.
