Phensock
As a junior LH FO just thought i would add to your comment. Last year I had possibly 10+ commitments, weddings , birthdays etc etc. I managed to attend all of them via bidding (Very low seniority) swops etc. So even though I don't have any plays to attend you could be the very bottom of the list and still have a say in your roster / life.
Fully agree that seniority comes with time but this is the first airline I have worked with that gives me a say in what I do every month.
BA has its faults but tell me of another airline that gives you this flexibility. ?