[QUOTE=ani90;11091945]The truth is few passenger accounts mention contributions from the FA [quote]
Incorrect.
and many seem to suggest they themselves (pax) took control of their situation. Even frightening accounts suggesting there was some form of prioritization in exiting the plane - women, children disabled etc.
When did chivalry become frightening?
Some pax describe physically assisting other pax out of the plane. Some describe waiting till others have disembarked. Actions that clearly would not have been led or sanctioned by the FAs as could delay timely evacuation.
You do realize that, for instance, one of the requirements to sit in the exit row of any FAA regulated airliner is a verbal reply that one will
assist the crew in an evacuation, right? Thus, assisting other pax.
As regards cockpit experience of course I rather a captain with 20 years experience, but that experience will die with him if he does not have young understudies. However, FA is one job where I would expect greter turnover with more incorporation of younger crew. An airline with an averge crew age of 55 - indeed any professional team with an average age of 55 - has a big problem somewhere and is in dire need of saving itself from itself or wait 10 years and there is no future.
If an FA can make it thru their recurrent training, they are entitled to their job. I am personally of the opinion that such recurrent training should take certain things into account (I have encountered FAs on multiple airlines, for instance, that I'm reasonably sure would not physically fit thru an exit door). However, that problem is not unique to older FAs.