What are the advantages of these larger "AE" (displacement) bids compared to a monthly, or quarterly, system? It seems like a lot rides on the outcome of these for pilots, crew planning and the accountants. Months are spent tweaking the plan, then fuel, market conditions, or some other factor changes and then it seems everyone starts "we should of ..."

Smaller bids would allow much greater flexibility and certainty. Why do we have our AE system? Was it mostly to avoid seasonal furloughs?