Originally Posted by
GogglesPisano
It's actually getting tiresome.
The seniority system will not go away because a few pilots feel they were somehow burned because of it. The vast majority of mainline pilots in the USA have benefited from it. There is no other simple way of allocating seats, schedules, vacation, etc. Or cementing unity and commitment. Yes, the CEO may have a bargaining chip with the senior half of the list, but the system also fosters a solidified collective bargaining unit.
I know of no ex-pat who wouldn't trade places with me in a heartbeat.
If a guy wants a free-for-all, "rugged individualist," job market where he can sell his superior skills to the highest bidder unshackled by the socialist fetters of seniority -- corporate aviation awaits.
The seniority system works tremendously well provided you are able to stay at the same airline. However, if you make a decision to leave that airline in favor of another for WHATEVER reason, then you are penalized heavily. The seniority system is a management tool in the sense that the longer you are at an airline, the less likely you are to leave regardless of how badly the airline is being managed.
I have mentioned this before, but WHAT IF we had one seniority list?
A list where you take your "experience" with you.
EXAMPLE:
Bob is a 15 year Captain at ABC airline. He is tired of management chipping away at his benefits and QOL. He decides to leave for XYZ airline, an airline that is managed much better. He's hired on at XYZ as a FO at the 15 year FO rate. He's at the bottom of the list for upgrade, but he retains all his bumping rights for travel, etc.
1. Bob is gonna take a paycut, but it wouldn't be the *** he'd get in our current system.
2. Airlines like XYZ that treat their people well will attract more candidates. Airlines like ABC will lose pilots and be faced with the reality that they need to change something.
The current system we have is flawed and heavily skewed in management's favor. It needs to change.