We need to find a system, any system, in which your seniority is portable. NO, I'm not talking about an NSL. Under one system I envision, you would accrue "points" based on your current position. Those points would be kept in a national database, and should you wish to transfer or if your company liquidates, you could use those points to determine your position on the list at a subsequent carrier.

You would still have to interview and be offered a job. You would still be on first year pay and have first year benefits (vacation, sick leave, pass privileges etc.). But for bidding purposes, your seniority would be whatever your points balance at the time of your transfer permits.

The net effect is pilots would not be the ONLY group with EVERYTHING to lose when the company gets in deep financial trouble. Because of that, management always takes advantage of us, and the senior half is more than willing to take a 32.5% paycut (just to pull a number out of the air - ) rather than risk shutting the place down. The junior half is ALWAYS more willing to strike, because they've got less to lose.

Find a way to provide a safety net for all, and the whipsawing among pilot groups will reduce as well as the sledge hammer management has at contract time.

More details via PM if you want them.