It may not be such a waste of time. More and more professionals are seeing the inherent flaws in the seniority system.
I've stated before that seniority systems and unions are not the same thing or mutually dependent. There is no reason why you must have a seniority system to obtain the protections and negotiating power of a union in a large organization. The argument that seniority is there to protect pilots is nonsense.
I think there will be a shakeup of the seniority system and new ways of thinking in the coming years especially at the regional and smaller airlines where it is difficult to maintain the rosters of experienced captains and the young low timers coming up the ranks may not want or be ready for the left seat in a jet airliner.
The seniority system is better suited to very large airlines that can and do hire only the most qualified of candidates and pay a reasonable salary either at the outset or early on.