Seniority based benefits have some 'merit'. Theoretically, a 20 year employee has contributed more to the success of the company than a 10 year employee so should receive the results of the success sooner (or greater). Also, the track record of the 20 year employee is more defined/established so it is more predictable that he/she would continue to be productive to the company. Further, the body of knowledge about the company and its operation is greater with the 20 year employee so that is more of an asset to the company and deserves more compensation. And since compensation includes more than dollars, it makes sense that the senior employee be more compensated in terms of vacation/schedule/perks also.

Seniority system is the way to go. When an individual's time comes to upgrade, either he/she makes it or is kept in the right seat for an additional period of time.

Most importantly it reduces much of the Office politics and backstabbing which has no place in a safe cockpit environment.

I agree. I think AA has an up or out policy as well. I kinda like that idea too, but don't know all the particulars.

We??? As in, at your desk job??? I don't get it. You quit, your vote does not count.

How is it going over at VX?

Since this discussion is about their merit upgrades I assume you must be a Virgin management guy. Otherwise you've got no right to say who's vote counts and who's doesen't.

Amen to that. In addition, just because someone has the seniority for a position, it's not automatically granted. There's a little task called training and passing check rides involved.

Horrible idea - not enough is known such as:
1) How is "merit" defined
2) Who determines "merit"

Anything goals that a flight crew could have other than the safe completion of a flight (like performing in a way to accomplish "merit", however defined) is counter productive. Also - depending upon how "merit" is defined, how many people in the HR dept are going to be required for this measurement? Too many questions, bad idea. The seniority system is set up to completely eliminate the A$$ kissing to get ahead found in corporations not involved with flying. Mostly, in the corporate world, it works - the weak sisters do not advance. It does not ALWAYS work though, and some percentage of A-kissers and relatives, etc will advance not on merit, but on external factors. This would be unexceptable - seniority and ability to upgrade and pass check rides should be the rule. I am not against canning someone who fails to upgrade though. When my Grandpa flew for TWA everyone took a Captain checkride after 5 years (this is in the 50's). If you busted it, you were gone. That didn't mean you could hold Captain at that point, but it did weed out those who wouldn't be able to upgrade.

Sidelined
 

I am merely between jobs. I have 20 to 25 years of airline eligibility left. :p


Besided I didn't quit. My company folded.


SKyHigh

And your date of hire does? You don't get to be President of the US by being the oldest citizen.