What good is a seniority list if it is ignored?
We have a seniority list, but still suffer the effects of cronyism and arbitrary assignment of command courses. One single line check or sim report from up to three years prior, submitted by an individual with a dislike for the candidate, can have significant repercussions on selection for command.
The infamous "star chamber" (
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Chamber) meets to discuss each individual candidate; and one dissenting manager can delay or terminate an individual without requiring to discuss his reason(s).
BelArgUSA:
Cathay does still have some Direct Entry captains flying from the now aborted ASL freighter operation, but they haven't recruited as such since 1Jan2000 - it is wrong to say that CX "relys on a large proportion of DE captains." When ASl stopped recruiting there were about 60 captains on the books - not all of whom were DE. A lot of the DE captains have now retired as they were already above retiring age at their previous airline.