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[zharkov]

I've know quite a few people in their 40s and 50s who obtained their first full time college faculty job at that age.  One thing to keep in mind is that the normal credential for college teaching is a doctorate, although community colleges may hire people with just MAs.  If one has an MA in a humanities field that has an oversupply of candidates, then it is a crap shoot with respect to getting a TT job at a CC.  It may seem like age was a factor for a 50 year old not getting hired, but what about the 100 30-somethings that also did not make the cut?

By the may, in my opinion, the prestige of a school also matters, perhaps more when we are considering the prospects for someone with an MA.  An applicant with an MA in English or History from Columbia or UPenn will, in my opinion, get more attention that someone with an MA from West Central State University - Railton.
 

[prytania3]

I'm really sympathetic to older candidates--I'm in one of those 'mentor-each other' mentoring relationship with an older person (50) who is a newly minted Ph.d. 

I want this person to succeed, but one of the hurdles we've experienced has oddly been this:  when we discuss interview/self-presentation techniques (what to wear, what to bring, what to talk about, etc,) there are many times when he/she resists doing certain things because s/he feels that they're fake, and look like a sad attempt to look/act younger.  Other younger candidates see these tasks as the things you have to do to win in this system that is rigged against you.  I'm talking about: suits. Getting a haircut. Looking professional. Selling yourself verbally.

And this relates to age how?