If you call using ones seniority to get time off abuse, then I'm guilty of that. In our supplement time off unpaid has to be offered in seniority order. I'm number 3 on the seniority list. I expect to be asked each and every day that time off is available. Do I always take it? no but some days I do. If another driver has something to do, and I don't I will pass. But most of the time they are so far down that some one else between me & them takes the day anyway.
It amazes me the amount of whining and complaining from mid to low seniority drivers. They have such a sense of entitlement. Like they should have the same good routes or runs, or pick the best vacation weeks, or get the days off, etc. etc. That the senior drivers have. It's really not your business if my wife makes tons of money and I don't need to work but 2 days a week , or you wish I would retire to free up a good route( that you wont get anyway). The fact that I have been doing this full time for 26 years entitles ME to be able to do these things.
When you have walked millions of steps, driven a million miles, delivered countless pkgs, that one does in 26 years come talk to me about us being equal. Until then put in your time and wait your turn , it will come. And I am sure when it does you will all be so charitable and giving. I anticipate you will bid unassigned so a lower driver can have your good route and days off. You will probably allow them to bid vacations before you do. Like an old timer told me years ago. Seniority sucks...... unless you have it.