Where I retired from, in feeders, we always had Company seniority. Yes, it created dissention and malcontent and was on the chopping block many times but never passed.
Yes, I was one that was POd many times. Got passed over, I think, 17 times by package drivers. But, it was a rule I had to live by.
The first few years, I didn't even had a bid. Here, lowest driver used to run vacations, days off, sick days, on-call, etc. I think it was five years before I could hold a bid and you know what THAT was. Got bumped out a few times because of this company senior rule.
After 32 years, finally made it to a place where I could bid some decent runs, runs that suited me and I was happy with. Was on Sleeper Team for five, mileage runs near the end, layover runs that nobody wanted.
Yes, I know they say these package drivers paid their dues by running 10/20 or more years in that brutal environment and had/have the right to take their seniority to feeders but, at the time, I felt I paid MY dues, also, running from day ONE in all kind of conditions and times.
I'm OK with both systems but just didn't like MY system. Made the best of it, tho.