In our current situation, that doesn't seem like such a bad idea.

So after all the d-sucking, far-violating, management a$$-kissing, you get your merit raise and have the pleasure of starting over at 1st year pay? Sounds great, sign me up...NOT!!

In the long run, senority upgrades work better for the company, pilot and relieve managment of trying to qualify non technical skills for a technical position. Once again, they are trying out the old mistakes.

I'd like to see merit incorporated a little more into the current system. Currently a less than average CA can get an upgrade before you because he was hired a year earlier. Every other notable profession is based on merit...plus it will make pilots strive to be the best. I agree with most of what has been said but I'd to see a little more merit integrated with seniority. And as far as I'm concerned...being at a company longer is not merit...its seniority.

The merit is...........you got your ratings and met the minimum qualifications and you passed all the HR and hiring BS and got the Job. Remember, most Real Airlines Hire future Capts not future FO's.

The 2nd merit is ..........you passed your FO training and checkride and IOE in other words you didn't kill anyone along the way.

The 3rd merit is you continued to fly safely for a few years and have an equal number of Take-offs and landings. ATTA boy!

The 4th merit is You now have the seniority to hold a Capt position. As a very seasoned Airline Capt previously said (Fireman), you still must pass the Class 1 Medical and you must pass the FAA oral and the FAA Type Ride. In other words everyone must meet a Minimum standard. And you must continue to do so every 6 months. That is merit enough in my book.

Under the seniority system you don't have to worry about the Chief Pilot's Son or Daughter.........or the CEO's ....... ahem......"Niece" getting that CAPT slot before you........

Merit based upgrades equate to flying with the guy who you jumped over by being a but kisser.

Thank you, but I'd rather wait for my number to come up, than have to fly with FO's that I'd stabbed in the back. Flying with a ****ed off FO isn't the best plan for career longevity. Besides, I'm FO dependant. I need all the help I can get. :-)

Skyhigh, you can say "we" when you get back in. I hear that numerous airlines are having serious trouble even filling interview sessions. Jump in, the waters warm.

"a little bit of merit
 

Old VW, a little merit in this profession is like being a little bit pregnant, once you open that door the thing keeps growing and growing until it has a life of its own.;)

I'm not saying a completely bias system only on merit. But maybe some incentive for on time performance or passenger satisfaction surveys, etc. That is something you can't kiss your way around. Now again it would have to be looked after to avoid problems with rampers, bad wx effecting passenger opinions, atc delays, etc. I would just like to bring up the discussion...to see what, if anything, pilots could receive merit for. And think of merit as something a pilot does to go above and beyond the standard. Obviously passing a 1st class medical is a staggering achievement :/ but i'm thinking more about things people do extremely well above the standard. They're may not be room in for aviation but i'm just trying to entertain the idea.

Do you really want some pilot "cutting corners" just to make his incentive award? :( Sadly, there will be those who will think right along those lines.

Bad idea.

My first thought about your post is that I'm wondering who would be in charge of determining these "merit events"? Then, I'm wondering whose responsible for rating each pilots' meritorious performance. It would become, in short order, a bucket of muckets. I do however understand your concern that every pilot should strive to be the best that he/she can be. However, that really will never happen, given the fact that some really love the job, the flying, the lifestyle, and everything that goes along with it, while others of our profession are here to earn a living and get a lot of time off, nothing more. You see it on every flight, every day. You have those guys that always leave their cockpit a sh!thouse, and you have those guys that leave it spotless. You have guys who really take pride in their flying, while others could care less, as long as they get every other landing. You have guys who strive to continue to learn their jet, and you have guys who only pull out their manuals for checkrides and simulators. The list goes on and on. Whereas I strive to be as professional as I can be, with a haircut, shined shoes, a uniform that fits and is not 3 sizes too large or small , I also understand that some of us are less concerned with things such as appearance. Truth be told, I'd rather have a very competent guy at the controls, than a guy whose only just barely competent. However, both are recognized as having met the standards, and that should be just fine.

Perhaps the best gage of a pilots performance can be seen on his or her last day, when he goes in to say goodbye to the chief pilot, and the chief pilot says "who the hell are you.":D