Seniority
Parabellum,
You should be aware that barristers are most typically (other than the few corporate counsel) self-employed and pay rent for their chambers. They can't be sacked, but solicitors can refuse to engage them!
Incidentally, barristers are (were when I was studying that milarky) immune in UK law from law suits for negligence / incompetence. Now that is something the pilots' unions should aspire to!!
Doctors have highly regulated processes and procedures to adhere to (like pilots) with worrying disciplinary consequences for mistakes (like pilots) but with sometimes publically accessible hearings (unlike pilots) - still a better comparison than lawyers to your trade.
Anyway, for what it's worth - seniority is indefensible in law and sooner or later will be successfully challenged. As will the arcane medical practices.