This is the only problem I have with aviation and why I probably won't ever go work for the airlines. Your whole career is based on a senority number. Unlike some jobs, were the most productive and hard working will get promotions, pilots are at the mercy of a senority number. You just have to sit and wait and hope that someones leaves or retires so that you can move up. Everyone is on the same playing field so it doesn't really matter if your a better employee or not. Now that airline pay and quality of life is in the dumpster it makes it harder for pilots to wait around for that next year pay. Maybe you would have been better off just pursuing general aviation.