I don't care what the union says there is no way that the IRS won't see a 6000 dollar (at the low end) lump sum as a bonus payment.

I also don't think that many of the junior FO's will ever seethe opportunity to use the bridge program being offered. They have to make CA to be eligible and there will end up being a log jam of lifer CAs and CA that can't pass the interview taking up those positions.