Section 9.D.1. A Vacancy shall exist when the number of available assignments for a particular Status, published in the Monthly Bid Award, exceeds the number of Pilots assigned to fill those assignments.
2. Vacancies shall be filled by:
a. The highest seniority pilot that has a standing preferential bid on file and wishes to fill the vacancy will be awarded that vacancy or...

Technically, since one of the captains is always away on Training business and the other is, historically, always away for "union business," I can see how the company might need another captain in BIL. And since he is the highest seniority captain who meets the above criteria, he is being awarded his preferential bid. That being said, I can see how this might bother some higher seniority first officers in Billings and I'm curious to hear some differing opinions on the subject.

As for "taking him back," he's not mine to bring back. In fact, this puts him closer to home and improves his QOL, so even if I could, I wouldn't.