Furthermore there are plenty of companies out there that are hiring direct entry captains,
....which indicates seniority is in decline. The LoCos, ME3 and the contract agencies who don't use seniority are all on the rise. Only legacy carriers have it now. The seniority model is being marginalised as pilots are more willing to relocate. Seniority is liked by companies such as CX as it keeps pilots in the job and prevents them from moving. It stifles pay and conditions. But the market is changing rapidly.