First off no one should pretend this is a shock.... And not because the company did anything wrong. The rules of this bid are cut and dry. Vacancy first then displacement. Displacement rights have trickle down effect. If you were dead last in your base and got displaced and your senority can hold Beech CA in dubois you get it. If you DID NOT GET DISPLACED and you bid Beech Ca in Dubois you dont get it. Even if that other person in junior to you. Period. displacement rules.
Does this suck for the DEC's? Yep.
More than it sucked for the senior FO's to watch DEC's take their spots? Nope
There will be fall out from this and its hard to watch REALLY GOOD captains get pushed over but we work in a seniority based system.
For everyone crying about haveing to move bases... Think about the Billings guys that have YEARS in at this place. You think they dont deserve to get what they want?
There could have been furloughs from all this but the company opened a reserve base and expanded a few others to accommodate all of the pilot group. Might not be the seat you want but its a job. At least you can get a paycheck while your hunting for the next gig.
That next gig being a company that wont care if you stay employed or not when THEY close a base.... Not sayin its perfect here but man it could be SO MUCH WORSE.