As someone who worked formerly (and much of it unhappily) for B ritish M asons I nternational I have to say that placing any faith in your CC is perhaps a little optimistic. Are you trying to tell me that the long honoured purpose of the CC to be "groomed" as future managers is no longer being respected.
Personally I think you have been treated shockingly. It is either LIFO or a free-for-all as it would be for instance in Ryanair, and even THEY offered the incumbents places at other bases the last time a base (VLC) was closed.
If it is (and it should ) be LIFO, lets cut the cr@p about costs to the company due re-basing etc etc. I doubt excrab would have refused a base transfer at his own expense as an alternative to "the Loughborough effect"
It should be based entirely on D.O.J and those joining on the same day should be separated by rank (sorry F/O's but a Capt can occupy either seat
) followed by either date of licence or flying hours. Even @ 51yrs old I don't support ageism even if it's in my favour.
No surprises at your spineless CC ,but did you try and take it higher up the BALPA food chain ? I see you have said that they advised against action, but did you push the issue ? may be a waste of time, but I would certainly make myself a thorn in their side until they did something for me.