Hypothetical Hiring Situation:

[killbilly]

Curious as to everyone's input - I know this scenario is less than likely to happen with ONE slot, but I'm looking for opinions anyway:

121 Airline (for this discussion, we'll say a regional, although I don't think it will matter) is reviewing a pair of candidates for an F/O position.

Both candidates have 4-year bachelor degrees, equal amounts of flight time in the logbook, no issues with the FAA, medical, or anything else.

The only difference between the candidates is that one is in his early 20's, fresh out of school, and this is going to be his first "real" job.

The other candidate is in his mid-30's to early 40's, has a fairly extensive resume' prior to flight training, and would be considered a career changer.

If there was only one slot to fill, which candidate would be viewed as more attractive by the airline? The older, more 'experienced' or 'mature' pilot, or the younger, 'fresher' one?

Let us also assume that both interviewed well. I'm just trying to gauge whether, all other things being equal, the airline values a certain degree of seasoning in the older pilot - I've gamed this out in my head and have found compelling arguments in both directions. What do you think?

 

[moxiepilot]

while I don't have any direct experience with the airline hiring per se, I do as a manager. All things being equal I would choose the 30-40 year old for maturity sake alone. If everything was equal, I would view the older candidate as having greater background experience

 

[ComplexHiAv8r]

while I don't have any direct experience with the airline hiring per se, I do as a manager. All things being equal I would choose the 30-40 year old for maturity sake alone. If everything was equal, I would view the older candidate as having greater background experience

I too, am not YET in the airline industry, but as an Engineering Director do alot of interviews. I would say the biggest item will be how they bring themselves off during the interview and the one the will better fit the dynamics of the group they are fitting into.

I could see pro and cons for both ages:
young thinks he knows it all, or wants to learn
older thinks he knows it all, or will be a team player

 

[BobDDuck]

Chances are the older guy isn't going to go anywhere. The young guy is probably hoping to get his time and get out. You could look at this either way. One way is in the old guy they are going to get a good ROI as he will stay there and they won't have to train a replacment. However, he will end up being at the TOS as far as pay goes and it will cost the company. On the other hand the younger guy likely will jump ship just as soon as he can meaning they will have to hire a replacment. The good news there is that they never will pay a TOS wage to the younger guy.

 

[killbilly]

Chances are the older guy isn't going to go anywhere. The young guy is probably hoping to get his time and get out. You could look at this either way. One way is in the old guy they are going to get a good ROI as he will stay there and they won't have to train a replacment. However, he will end up being at the TOS as far as pay goes and it will cost the company. On the other hand the younger guy likely will jump ship just as soon as he can meaning they will have to hire a replacment. The good news there is that they never will pay a TOS wage to the younger guy.

Is ROI on the pilot a consideration when HR and interviewing pilots are making a decision on a hire?

 

[TFaudree_ERAU]

While not exactly the scenario that you created, I'll throw in my experience. I'm 23. I interviewed for the job I'm currently at (135 charter) and was up against someone that I graduated with, who had hundreds of hours more than me and tons more multi time, and a former IDE CRJ driver in his 30s. I got the job. I was told by my the owner of the company that it was because of the attitude that I brought to the interview. So its not always about age and experience

 

[jtrain609]

This situation isn't realistic; the regionals are hurting so much right now they'll take both candidates and ask if they know anybody else looking for a job.

 

[killbilly]

This situation isn't realistic; the regionals are hurting so much right now they'll take both candidates and ask if they know anybody else looking for a job.

Maybe instead of a scenario I should have said: you're doing the hiring. Do you prefer an older pilot with a past career, or a younger pilot without a past career. Assume that attitude, logbooks, interview and flying skills are equal. I just want to know if career changers are hamstrung or helped by age/prior experience in a competitive hiring environment.

Better?

 

[ComplexHiAv8r]

Maybe instead of a scenario I should have said: you're doing the hiring. Do you prefer an older pilot with a past career, or a younger pilot without a past career. Assume that attitude, logbooks, interview and flying skills are equal. I just want to know if career changers are hamstrung or helped by age/prior experience in a competitive hiring environment.

Better?

I will say this and hate to say this. I am the older guy trying to get into aviation....but as and Engineer I have hired both types in the past year. Both looked good for the team. Older one became an issue learning new technology and I had to release him in the middle of our current project. I hated doing it, and have another older Engineer that cant seem to get the new technology. Anything think this will happen in aviation in the future with more and more upgrades in avionics?

Only good out of it is that I have to be onsite 1-3 times a week and fly to get there!!