The discussion, arguments and merits of seniority have been raised many, many times and raising it again here is little more than a diversionary tactic.
Primarily it needs to be clearly understood Safety is purely the role of the Regulator.
The regulator can and will be directed, counselled or advised in this role by either the Legislative process or the accident investigator. Input may also occur from affected/interested parties such as pilots, engineers, / ATC, etc.
Whilst Airline Management may profess an intense interest in Safety their only input to this process will be when directed/asked to do so or it affects the bottom line; such input will allways be to protect or enhance this bottom line. Restrictions imposed upon their operation such as being prevented to fly into a country or passenger reaction to an airlines poor safety record are good examples re creating an airline managent interest is safety.
Seniority does ensure all get an opprtrunity in sequence to upgrade however, the final say in this process resides with the Regulator through an `approved' check & training organisation.
Seniority is about taking the control of a pilots daily life and lifestyle from airline management and putting it in the hands of the individual pilot!
It is interesting to note that though I raised the quality, ability and role of the regulator and accident investigator in an earlier post it appears no one considers the safety regulator/accident investigator role or lack of abilty to regulate the industry worthy of comment. Yet many posts suggest their major concern is operational safety?
I make one other point in that the suggestion is for government and or legislatve input, interference or control into the area of T & Cs, supposed safety and airline mangement. One would suggest from experience great care is needed in what is asked for as the last time government interfered with airline managment, T & Cs, etc, we ended up in the great mess we are in Now!