Since the age discrimination act of 2006 people cannot be forced to retire at 55, the reverse of the coin is seniority and LIFO are questionable in terms of legality because it discriminates against younger workers. What is not questionable is employment law. If a position is made redundant at plant A and a worker at plant B is made redundant to allow the employee from plant A to relocate to plant B that is illegal because it is the position that is made redundant not the person (I know in reality it's all about the people). The worker who was made redundant was done so to make room for the other worker. The position is not redundant and that is illegal. If BA/IAG/BMI want to close a base they have to give at risk to the affected people and enter consultation. The consultation process is very likely to discuss options in new roles (eg another base) or for some who may want, a redundancy package. I really believe that all will be ok. As for seniority well it's not going to last, easy, Ryanair, Emirates all have got rid of it. What's the solution to the new system for say bids on holiday leave ect? Random computer program? Points awarded due to time worked / productivity maybe.