Nick is wrong for a number of reasons. His friends in other professions may laugh - I frankly do not think they do, but that is another story. The fact is that these other professions are nepotistic and corrupt - in many cases who you have round for dinner is what determines your future. They have the same problem, particularly with doctors where many high calibre candidates exist for the same jobs. I never want work for an airline where the chief pilot decides who gets promoted this week. Seniority is like democracy - it is full of flaws, but a million times better than the alternatives.