The thing about this airline seniority thing is that we really don't control squat, so there's no sense in getting all worked up about stuff.
Smartest thing I've ever read about it here.
Throw in that nobody on the line has any control over the corporate merger and bankruptcy shenanigans either, and you've pretty much got it covered.
Some of the folks I went to school with got SO screwed by furloughs and company mergers and such back in the 90s... after they survived a far worse regional scene back then, and had really awful life changing stuff.
Some recovered and flew again, some never did, some liked the whole process, most got real cynical but kept their mouths shut and flew the planes, whoever's logo was on the tail this month.
Most who survive seem to just enjoy the flying as much as they can, and they don't expect a whole hell of a lot from the company... doesn't really matter which company it is.
Bid what ya want, after a long time you'll always get it, and like the man says, try not to knock up anyone or be knocked up, depending on gender.
Another odd but real plus the military folks seem to have that's not obvious at first, is they AND their families are much more used to picking up the house and moving everything and everyone, whenever necessary, without nearly as much whining about it from family. The guy I know who's been flying since he was a kid, did the AF thing, and is really stable and happy at UA, in his 50s... his duty stations read like a travel guide to the world. He'd pick up and move tomorrow again if he had to. He's also a serious cheapskate, so we get along well. Heh. He has money habits that make sure he's never worried about paycheck to paycheck, he had quite enough of that in the AF and after, he's well "over it". His family are just awesome people too.
Another just hit all the timing right. Flew for a major-owned regional back when that was a thing, and you got seniority at a slower rate at main line flying for the regional, hit all the right timing to upgrade regularly, now putting around in the 787 and finally did a Captain upgrade... didn't do it forever because it would have meant crappy schedule. Now just a few years from retirement. Guy never held a single crappy flying job, ever.
One, started having health issues while flying for a big regional. Let that get into his head and started busting checkrides. Quit the whole biz before it got bad. Had major surgery and multiple car wrecks (not his fault) which messed him up even more. He doesn't even fly GA anymore.
You just can't tell what life is going to throw at you, and sometimes it's a hardball, sometimes it's a softball, and sometimes the pitching machine beans you in the head and cracks your skull.
All three of those people are HAPPY, and I think there is the real key... happy is a choice. Or at least not whining and depressed. Except for the guy who had to quit completely (and he's fine with that), you've got a better view from your "office" than most folks. Execs in many office jobs would literally kill to have a window with a view.
I'll get my instructor stuff done and then find a few students and I'll be in my "happy place"... already am, really, but new stuff is always fun too. May have to keep a little private notebook on how many times they try to kill me... heh. Masochist. I guess.
. Cool.
