I agree that blowing up the whole seniority process is a good idea. With that said, I really don’t think positive space is enough of a hammer, but it is a start.

Any company, not just SW, will adjust their staffing models to the least pain. If we had:

1. Positive space
2. $1,000 a month pain bonus (adjusted for inflation annually)
3. Provided hotels (if required at the discretion of the pilot) for both the front end and back end of any trip.

if we had that right now, I guarantee you we would have at least 200 more pilots left in their original base.

This still will not cover the pain associated with unexpectedly having to commute, but it would greatly leases the blow. It will never make up for the missed games, dance recitals and movie nights, or sleeping next to your loved one 5-8 nights a month.

Like people, companies take the path of least resistance. This would simply keep a lot of folks in the base of their choice.