I think the pilots with the most seniority get these longhaul international assignments. But I am hear to say that ... well, it has nothing to do with clot-shots. /sarc
They do, my neighbor does the Tokyo flight weekly for American.
Nope. Sometimes very junior reserve pilots are quick called if needed. When I flew, sometimes I was called out and had 90 minutes to be on the plane in uniform and ready to close the door for departure. I once was junior by over 20+ years to everyone with one of the flight attendants having a 1960 something seniority date.
All are experienced though. Howevah.... once those diversity hires go through with them being hired by being in a special group, that goes out the window IN MY OPINION.