He might not have the skills to be a manager, but I’d like to think after the time he’s been there he could be doing a role that better uses his experience in e

He might not have the skills to be a manager, but I’d like to think after the time he’s been there he could be doing a role that better uses his experience in exchange for more money/benefits than someone who started today. Hell, maybe he’d enjoy just doing something a bit less physical (says in TFA that he gets cramps in his hands). As you say, not everyone should become a manager. That doesn’t mean seniority isn’t a thing though.