Yep, Hilliard is gone. He went to FlightLine after he didn't get Crew Services manager (now that would have been interesting).
I think it is funny that people advocate a system that caters to their own individual situation, for right now. One thing you have to remember; a lot of people have made a lot of sacrifice way before any of our times to preserve the seniority system as we know it today. If a check airman is senior to you, he is senior before he is a check airman. That's just how it has to be. I know it is popular to think we can reinvent the wheel around here, but it has been proven a lot of times that just isn’t going to happen.
If you penalize a check airman by making certain trips unavailable to them, you won't be able to retain any talent whatsoever. With a 10% override and limited schedule availability, you are just asking for a mass exodus from the check airman ranks. Read that as in all equipment types.
One more point to consider about senior check airman. If it weren't for them this airline wouldn't be where we are. They had to sacrifice in times when regular line holders enjoyed a great lifestyle. Check airmen historically have to make sacrifices to accomodate the company's needs (hence the override). To ask them to make additional sacrifices at this juncture is just not logical.
One solution for the late bids for JFK FOs is moving the bid up. I know US Airways used to bid on schedules a month before we do. For instance, you bid in July for your September schedule. The problem with that system should be obvious; you have to plan your life after your schedule instead of vice versa. Look at your current month. How many days off would you have been able to anticipate two months ago?
In short, you can theorize all you like on a web board, but any pie-in-the-sky brilliant solutions you think of now will have to work for everyone for all time. It may fit your agenda now, but how about 10 years from now? Before you answer, just think if you are bidding top 20% of CAs in your home city. A lot is possible in the decades ahead, and you can't cut your nose off in spite of your face just to suit your individual seniority level for right now.
Respectfully,
JayDub