That is so true. Just as well if you ever try to explain it to someone. Saw it in the military and now I see it on the civilian airline side. They just don't ever understand without way too much effort put in to help them get it.

And yes Buffalopilot, it was a rhetorical statement. I think we still have a couple more classes coming up due to getting a few more Saabs and a few new bases due to open on the UAL side for Colgan.

So does that mean I can slack off and do mediocre and the guy behind me can be the greatest pilot on earth, but i'll stick upgrade faster to capt. since i've been there longer?

Provided you are competent and haven't ****ed anyone of importance off, then unfortunately most likely yes.

Yea that's pretty much what i've figured. Which I guess is yea unfortunate because there is no need to push yourself or overachieve if it won't go noticed.

The problem is that it is really difficult to measure over-achieving pilots...it's really a pass/fail job: if you don't get violated or flunk your PC, you pass. Of course there are many intangible things you can do to make the process easier on yourself, your crewmembers, and your pax, but it is really hard to measure those things objectively.

The reason we have seniority is that in the absence of clearcut, readily measureable and gradeable factors, who is going to get promoted? The F^&*^ING BROWN NOSE, BACK-STABBING, @ASS KISSERS... THATS WHO !!!

Seniority system protects us from what would otherwise be a political free-for-all...all the upgrades, good schedules, days off, desireable bases would go to the manager's buddies. In fact, that's the way it was in the early days of the industry.

Now you might say that you could clearly evaluate pilot skills in the sim, but that is really pretty subjective depending on who the evaluator is and what he wants to see. Besides there is a LOT more to being an airline pilot than sim skills...that's just a video game really.

I'd rather fly with a personable, conscientious guy/girl who's pilot skills are on the lower end of the bell curve than with some otherwise-useless idiot-savant who only ability in life is that he can fly the hell out of the sim...

BTW, most regionals with be very creative about finding ways to push your limits for you...no need to do that yourself

Amen brother, low man on the totem pole sucks. Good way to explain seniority too.