As a senior, bypassing 12-yr (or more) FO flying mostly premium trips, you can make as much or more than a 12-yr (or more) CA who isn’t that senior without flying many, or possibly any, additional days. And you have a better schedule comprised mostly of turns, 2-days, and 3-days (if you desire). A juniorish, bottom half CA will probably be stuck with at least one 4-day per month and almost definitely, mostly 3-days. That all assumes the CA isn’t really able to get much or any premium. Tournament playing cartel members are a different matter.