for your info eieio, the 70+ per month that pilots fly is precisely that. That doesn't include the rest of the duties that go with it. Report times, positioning, classroom refresher training etc.
The seniority system has many bad points. I've seen people get their commands who should NOT be in the left seat of an airliner. However I can't see any other realistic way for the pilots to be employed. It is a very different industry from any other and comparisons cannot be reasonably made.