Quote: "The problem with flying is with what yard stick do you measure our performance...."
Did you buy your licences and ratings from some corrupt jurisdiction? Most civil aviation agencies and companies manage to measure pilots' capabilities and performance, either in an aircraft or a sim. It's a normal procedure! Just as elsewhere competent and ethical employers are also able to identify other skills: who does the job safely, legally, efficiently, respectful towards colleagues, reports for work on time, does the considerable paperwork correctly and neatly, dresses neatly in correct company uniform, pitches in to help others where needed (eg help load bags) etc.
True seniority comes from merit, not antiquity! As stated above, this is an outmoded concept that seems to be unique to aviation. It was put in place by unscrupulous employers (and is accepted by dumb employees) as it offers a major benefit to employers. It obstructs what should be one of our basic rights - mobility of labour. In the free world if you are not happy with things at your present employer then you look around and move at the same level or better to another employer, for better pay or conditions. Your old employer loses staff and has to adjust to the market to retain employees. Seniority removes this and enables the employer to offer the very minimum in cash and respect that it can get away with.