With regards to AIRLINES, absolutely true: f-em before they f-you. And you'll have to be quick about it, too.

With regards to other pilots, there are accepted ways to look out for yourself without intentionally walking on the backs of those who have gone before you. If everybody just did whatever was best for them in the short term, it would all get REAL ugly, REAL fast. The idea is that by taking a longer-term view, we can hopefully all benefit down the road.

There are risks and no guarantees...that is the nature of this business (ask the US Air FO's who have 18 years seniority and are on the bottom of their list). The trick is to make the right career decisions at the right time...which is somewhat dependent on luck. But it's still better than a free-for-all.