Originally Posted by
deltajuliet
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.
In a career where you only interact with management once a year, that would be incredibly political and honestly unfair. So, a pilot that bids or is awarded afternoon flying should be punished for his on time and fuel consumption because of any number of issues (thunderstorms, rolling delays, speed restrictions or reroutes) into major hubs? And since we are talking about stratification for upgrade based on metrics, are you going to cause a stink because your captain is late or wants to fly at a less fuel efficient speed? Or maybe you're going to start snapping at ATC when they keep you lower than filed.
Then you'd have to have someone to manage this merit system. Collecting data on each pilot and how they fly...not taking into consideration any subjective variables that have caused this behavior. You flew fast because you're trying to beat a thunderstorm to the field so you don't have to divert? Too bad, you clearly aren't fuel conscious. I don't want a computer program second guessing every tiny decision I make as good or bad without any input on why I did it.