Let's assume the worst: Terrorists have hijacked the 747 and the F-16s were scrambling to flank it. The terrorists start flying the plane towards, say, one of the large office towers on the Jersey side of the river. The F-16s will then (a) do nothing (b) shoot it down. Where does the plane go? The shrapnel?

You wouldn't be safe anywhere in the vicinity.

>>the jacket could operate for an hour on its two AA batteries

Don't movies last more than one hour?

I'd check with HR first on your interview language. Essentially, asking a candidate "Why should I hire someone old over someone young?" certainly could be interpretted as illegal.