Its a good system for order of promotion (commands), but I feel is grossly unfair for lifestyle issues, ie. roster preference.
People may join the company with 5000+ hours but be working X times harder than bloggs with the same hours - all because bloggs has been in the company longer.
How many other company's or careers have a system where the longer you have worked for the company the least work you do, and more time off you get ???
All airlines give more money for time of service and generally more leave and staff travel perks ..... but why a better lifetsyle and choice of destinations ? Its crazy ......
Its OK if you are very lucky and joined the company in your mid 20's but for guys joining in the mid 30's from other airlines get totally screwed throughout their whole career and never see the cream !