Originally Posted by
tomgoodman
Before abandoning the seniority system, we should ask people in other industries how promotions
really work, not how they're supposed to work. Does the best worker become foreman, the most skilled "cutter" Chief of Surgery, the wisest professor Dean, or the finest legislator Speaker? I suspect that factors other than competence play a major role, and would be interested in hearing comments from those with actual experience in "non-seniority" promotion systems. We certainly don't want a situation where favoritism, deals, rumors, and back-stabbing become routes to advancement.
Absolutely that happens. All The time. But, from management’s perspective, they chose what they believed to be the "best" candidate--not just the next in line. It's always true that no matter how hard you work or how good you really are, the owner’s kid will get the job/promotion before you do.
The seniority system does a lot of good things. It (theoretically anyway) helps keep management from threatening pilots who make safety decisions that cost money (won't fly with a maintenance issue, divert, take extra gas, call in sick/fatigued, etc.)
This system, while inherently good when taken in its entirety, has a downside: You can't change companies without starting at the bottom