Unfortunately, in my experience, the people who most vociferously defend rigid seniority systems are those who have benefitted from them or know that they will only benefit from them versus a free market system.
Personaly I feel that, like democracy, its it the best we have got however flawed. I have seen the results, fortunately not fatal, of nepotism in this industry in a non-unionised airline.
So until we can find a better system we will have to retain this one.
This debate is a very important topic that must be aired periodically to allow us to consider the options, I am sure that there is a better system and only through these discussions will we find it.
[ 22 July 2001: Message edited by: whizzjet ]