Sir - I would like to sympathise with Christopher Stone and the difficulties he is encountering (Letters, Flight International, 20-26 August, P51), but I would like to put the older viewpoint.
I am a 37-year-old professional person, wanting to fly commercially. Being driven, committed, enthusiastic and mature, I am assured by the training industry that I am "ideally suited" for the role with any carrier.
No potential employers seem to be interested in training someone who can bring a depth of outside experience, and who would be grateful for the opportunity to prove himself. It also seems that I am too old for sponsorship - even though I am prepared to contribute.
Is anyone prepared to let a youngish dog learn (and excel at) new tricks?
T S Rafter
Godalming, Surrey, UK
Source: Flight International