Originally Posted by Strepsils
Technically, seniority is nothing to do with age. Last in first out is a well known and accepted way of dealing with forced redundancy.
A 27 year old pilot could have 6 years seniority and will not be sacked at the expense of a 50 year old pilot who only joined 5 years ago.
Two completely different things.
Agree on the technicality, but last in first out does not apply unless there is an age spread in line with the remaining workforce. As soon as seniority lists are tested in court you can say goodbye to it being used in redudancy or as a promotion tool. There is a status quo at the moment as it is not in the interests of the pilots and also not in the interest of most airlines to upset the workforce. Ask any employement lawyer and they will say the same for LIFO as for seniority lists.
Fact reamins the seniority lists protects most pilots from market forces, unlike almost any other profession.