Originally Posted by Ottopilot

In theory, if a "senior" pilots gambles with his QOL and holds out on a captain bid and then can't hold it later, too bad. That's their choice. Upgrade or don't upgrade, but it's not the fault of a "junior" pilot.

Everyone knows that we have been merging for a couple years (SLI).
Everyone knows that age 65 retirements started in Dec 2012.
Everyone knows that both airlines are already short-staffed.
Bid what you want, don't bid what you don't want. If you wait, you get what you get.