Is that the best you can do? Quote some fella from a different era!!
I'm sure he loved the system where mates and drinking buddies got promoted ahead of others!! Especially since he was one of the mates from the right Squadron.
Seniority whether we like it or not is a fair system so we all get our years of dedicated service to our company recognized. If you want a free for all then scrap it and see how much better off you are!!