Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

Longevity is fine, nearly every business has it. Nearly every other business requires their employees and anyone else to apply for a different, higher or supervisory job. The idea that people are rewarded for just staying employed and not dying exists in few other competitive businesses. PIC/captain position should be open to anyone who is appropriately rated. Then all of a sudden every airline would actually be competing with each other for pilots. Course that would kind of kill the golden-carrot that is used to ensure pilot staffing these days. FO wages would rise as the airlines quickly realize pilots have no loyalty without monetary incentive. This would make the industry transparent, rather than holding out indefinitely hoping for the elusive upgrade or major job.