That is absolutely incorrect. The furlough agreement has been revised since the previous (9-11 & BK) round of furloughs where the above was correct. A furloughed pilot may bypass for 10 years per the new (2008) furlough mitigation agreement.

6-c. A pilot who is furloughed shall be eligible to bypass recall for a period not to exceed 10 years from his furlough date, at which time his recall rights expire in accordance with Section 7-E of the basic agreement.

Of course, all of this assumes no further revisions with the JCBA or additional side letters.