What happens when and if that happens is you take that opening gambit to your union. Which is hopefully sensible enough to realise the company don't care which pilots operate which machines as long as the planned cost reductions are met.
If the union has the right relationship with both members and the company they then discuss which solutions can be amenable to both groups. If the costs can be met the company is happy.
We have to remember this is not personal. It is a business. We are unit costs, with regulatory requirements. If those costs can be met AND avoid industrial action with it's own associated cost, then all are happy!
BA/IAG are not in business to be our friends. The managers are there to make money! If we as a company of pilots decide WE want redundancies based on seniority do you think the company care? As long as its legal (different argument) and achieves the cost base the company wants they can be negotiated with.
In this case, I hope the seniority/LIFO etc arguments are being put to BMI members by their cc which I am sure had the foresight to have a contingency plan for the chance of redundancies as soon as it was mooted there would be a reduction in the IAG slot uptake. With the consequent pressure beimg put on the current pilot numbers. If they didn't... I hope they are now thinking very quickly on their feet.
There is no pleasure to be taken in the misfortune of others. I could so easily be in the shoes of the BMI pilots and may be put in this position in the future. Aviation is a fickle place. We cannot however blame company bosses from doing their job either. A successful business made through those hard nosed decisions is one that maintains job security and the bottom right hand corner of that pay check. Horrible to be so cold but true.
I feel terrible for those currently affected and hope that wise heads manage to reach a position affecting as few as possible while drawing those into a company that is intent on being successful through very tough economic times. The future for all of us under that umbrella may not be rose tinted, that view on aviation should be left with your PPL, but it is definitely brighter.