Seniority. It’s the rank among peers “that rules an airline pilot’s life,” says Paul Templeton, a pilot employment expert and retired airline captain. “Seniority determines almost everything you do — what crew base you’re assigned to, what equipment you’ll fly, and your monthly schedule.”
Seniority — The Key to Career Advancement
Key Takeaways:
- Seniority is the foundational system governing nearly every aspect of an airline pilot's career, from crew base and aircraft assignments to monthly schedules and overall quality of life.
- It ensures fairness in career opportunities, as pilots bid for positions and assignments which are then awarded based on their seniority, rather than merit or favoritism.
- Various types of seniority exist—including relative, captain/first officer, aircraft, and base seniority—all playing crucial roles in a pilot's ability to achieve desired career goals.
- Building seniority, especially by joining a major airline as quickly as possible, is paramount for a pilot's career progression, as it is extremely valuable and typically not transferable between airlines.
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