At nearly 65 years old, I’m about to reach a milestone—not just in age, but in proving something many people doubt about getting older.

I’ve been an airline pilot for 36 years. I’m not a genius or some wunderkind destined for JPL or NASA, but I’ve done my job well, and I’ve stayed humble. For the past 25 years, I flew the Boeing 767, a relatively straightforward aircraft compared to the technological marvels we see today.
Then came the challenge: I had to learn to fly the Airbus A350, the most advanced and complex airliner in service today.
This wasn’t just a step up—it was a leap into a whole new world. The Airbus is completely different from Boeing planes in almost every way, and the training program for the A350 is no joke. We’re talking about a 7,000-page training manual, countless videos, six grueling weeks of simulator sessions, and difficult oral and electronic exams.
To make things more intimidating, I was the oldest person ever to attempt Delta’s A350 Initial Qualification program. I was warned by many—some well-meaning, some not—that even younger pilots were finding it challenging and that, at my age, success might not be in the cards.
“It can’t be done, old guy,” they said.
Well, *bullshit!*
I went through the training and, to my surprise, I had an easy time with it. The complexity? Sure, it was there, but it didn’t feel any more challenging than when I trained for the MD-11 at age 34. Even though the A350 is leaps and bounds more advanced, I didn’t experience a decline in my ability to learn. In fact, I aced the program without trouble.
If I can do this—learn and master an incredibly complex system in my mid-60s—*anyone can.*
Age is not the barrier people make it out to be. Sure, for some, learning might slow down at 30, 40, or 50. But for others, the ability to grasp new, challenging concepts persists well into their 60s, 70s, and beyond. Some people stay sharp into their 90s.
Here’s the takeaway:
– Don’t assume someone is too old to learn or grow.
– Don’t count yourself out, no matter what your age.
– Don’t sell older people short, because you might be surprised at just how capable they are.
Treat people, especially older folks, with the respect and dignity they deserve. Because one day, you’ll be one of us. And trust me, you’ll appreciate it when someone shows you kindness and respect.
And you know what? You just might discover that being older is pretty amazing.