Original Message

What is your definition of most qualified? Hours? I've seen plenty of 20 and 25,000 hour helicopter pilots kill themselves through poor decision making. I will always choose the most qualified pilot for the job. But the primary deciding factor is attitude. I reject more than half of the pilots a interview because of attitude. That percentage seems to grow larger with higher time pilots. Many have bad habits, And it's easier to start from a 5000 hour pilot who is still receptive than 20,000 our pilot with bad habits that is rigid. Furthermore, there is at least a prospect that they will work for you for five or 10 years And possibly become a critical part of the company's org structure. How much chance of that if you hire a pilot who is in his late 60s. Don't get me wrong I've hired plenty of guys that age. There's a time when I need their talent for a year or two but there's also a time when I'm looking towards the future of the company 5 to 10 years down the road.