The situation in Aer Lingus is very similar to that in bmi as described by Max Angle. There is usually an adequate number of volunteers for spending Christmas in hotels abroad as family can be brought along and Christmas dinner is provided for all by the company. O.K., before the nitpickers leap into action, there is a limit to the number of family you can bring and the seats are not positive but the deal is usually sufficiently attractive for those who like that sort of thing. We can also indicate a preference for Christmas or New Year. I like to be at home for Christmas, I have very little interest in New Year and so I have not had to work on Christmas Day for the past 30 years. Also, while our rostering system leaves a lot to be desired, it is not seniority based and everybody gets a reasonably equal crack of the whip. The point of all this? Not all airlines are the same, just as everyones' preferred lifestyle is not the same, and, if you are prepared to do the research and make the necessary compromises, it is possible to find a reasonable match. Good luck.