I think what Gunter and Daniel are saying is you are only forced to be Jr once, too bad at this particular time there was an extra 5 years tacked on (OK that last part was me).

The 727 has some very senior guys flying it. Probably more than at other airlines. The difference between our Jr lines and our senior lines is tremendous in QOL and pay. Do you doubt that a senior MD F/O can out earn a junior Capt? That is the reason that we have a lot of campers here.