I think the bottom line, which is a little surprising to hear defended from this anti-socialism crowd, is that DOH seniority systems ensure that those who are on top (higher pay rates, better trips, better A/C, etc) have nothing to do with merit. Even the most “right” leaning philosophers will tell you that rigid hierarchies without correlation to ability usually devolve into dysfunctional systems (J Peterson et al).

nobody is begrudging senior pilots better trips, choice of equipment/base, higher pay rate etc. the system is fine and largely works great, just don’t try say it’s because they “deserve” it. They aren’t undeserving either… It’s just a way a seniority system works. The second you start ascribing some semblance of merit to simply existing somewhere longer than someone else, that starts to get hierarchal in a very unproductive way.