Originally Posted by
RJSAviator76
Sadly, you'll never convince a union guy that absolute seniority system is actually devaluing him, and it's promoting mediocrity as it doesn't take anything else into account beside date of hire; it doesn't promote excellence, or self improvement, nor does it reward anything. In fact, it only promotes bare bones existence. In the end, the product suffers because people have NO incentive to do anything beyond existing.
I don't believe this for a moment. The biggest motivator for unionized pilots to go "above and beyond" is simply being properly compensated by a company that values them.
Back when AA was doing well, pilots were going to extremes to maximize the customer experience. A guy didn't have to help that old lady in a wheelchair, but he did anyhow. Guys didn't have to worry about conserving fuel, but they did this as well. The list is huge.
When treated like pond scum, then yes, performance suffers, but this has nothing to do with the seniority system.
Pilots are not sluggards. They take pride in improving their skills, expanding their knowledge, and doing a great job, seniority system or not.