"Absent" was referring to the post above my post. Merger or no merger a furloughed pilot is not an employee of United. It doesn't matter why they lost their job, the only FACT that's assured is that they did lose their jobs. My point is an UNEMPLOYED (w/United) pilot cannot reasonably expect to displace an employed pilot based on what they "think" would have or should have happened. I "would" have been a Captain by now but "x,y, and z" happened. We deal in facts and reality. Reality IS furloughed pilots are NOT employed (with United).