Yes, the most sensible alternative is to have seniority exist in the position for which you are hired and to not have any "automatic" upgrades or promotions, apart from longevity pay, just because you have graced the earth with your beautiful presence (seniority).

Seniority is the absolute definition of "entitlement". "I've been here forever, I may be a horrible person, a so-so pilot, etc, but I got my number and I'll get there before the lower guys".

In other business, you don't get "upgraded" automatically when there is a need, you put in an application and get considered, at least against every one else in a position similar to yours, and at worst the public is allowed to apply from outside. The concept that you should have "seniority" to reach the pinnacle of equipment, base, position, trips and everything else is mind-blowing to the rest of the business world.

The way it should be is you apply for an FO position, that's what you are, until you apply for a CPT position or something similar and are accepted. This way the brightest and most capable would float to the top, rather than just whomever got in "first". Then you could take your experience when you were passed over and apply for a position at airline B and not lose any significant pay, since it would be based on position, in other words you are a CPT and could apply as a CPT. May not make it, but that's just the way the rest of the business world works, there are no "guaranteed jobs", at least to the extent we see in the airline business.

This would force airlines to compete against each other for pilots, something that never happens because pilots get "locked in" the seniority system. Once you are locked in, there's no incentive for them to compete against each other, except for the entry level, which will eventually mean funding loans for flight training, maybe some bonuses, some bridge programs, basically everything except revamping the entire system and bringing it up to par with the rest of the professional world.

I'd rather see a more competitive system, with seniority just relegated to type and position. If you are not confident enough to compete in such a system, you probably shouldn't be flying at the level your seniority number has gotten you to.