This will receive instant criticism, but I'm just thinking out loud. Suppose there was a metric that took into account individual pilot performance. Things like late shows, no-shows, pilot-induced delays, passenger feedback, coworker feedback (i.e. has every other pilot put you on their "do not fly with" list?), track record of careful or careless fuel consumption, etc. And combine that to some extent with the current seniority system.

If there was a fair way to quantifiably collate each pilot's performance, we could bring merit-based based progression to this profession instead of having Joe Pilot upgrade before you just because his date of birth was before yours.

Just thinking out loud.