The whole company specific seniority based pay scales that airlines have adopted, in large part due to union negotiation, are bullshhh. What other industry has this structure? We pilots have put us in this predicament. It makes it so ridiculously disadvantageous to make a "lateral move" that there is no competition between employers to attract our professionalism.

Seniority should affect your bid status, vacation, and that's about it. My opinion: Regional pay - First year FO pay rates that equate to a minimum of roughly $45,000/year. Every subsequnt year $65,000. Upgrade to captain and make roughly $80,000 for a year, then $100,000 thereafter. Everyone in each respective seat should be at the same pay rate. You all do the same job. Raises could then be applied "evenly." Management would have a more stable and predictable cost structure regardless of the seniority of the pilot group. Making a lateral move would not be so unattractive.

Will this ever happen? Probably not. Why'd I just waste 10 minutes? Good question.