Like everything in life.. VB has its place in the real world.
Wasn't it 15yrs ago that we had Flight Engineers? Age 60 Full retirement?
VB can work if two issues can be resolved. Reserve coverage and Seniority.
If worked out, VB could be a positive for both the Pilots and the company. A Win Win.
Like every problem out there, there is a solution and a negotiated settlement.
Would be an interesting subject to debate. Numerous workable solutions to the problems of Reserve coverage and Seniority~
But let's me honest here.. sticking our head in the sand and saying 'F NO' to VB is stupid. It's already in the Delta CBA (PWA) and good chance that it could be a normal thing within the next 15 years. Surprised that a company like SouthWest (flying one type of aircraft) hasn't done it yet. Theirs would be the easiest to negotiate.
Motch