Fair question. Why 5 years and not forever?

My understanding is that it relates to the no furlough policy. Basically if things got so bad that they had to let people go, they'd be committed under the contract to pay the pilots they're letting go 70 hours/month for the remainder of their contract period, vice cutting them loose and saying we'll call you when we get to you. Is this better or worse than furloughing? Don't know. Open to debate. I do know that a contract that says we won't furlough you but guarantees you a job forever in this industry is laughable.

Also it has to do with dispute resolution -- if it got down to arbitration with someone, the pay for the remainder of their 5 year period would be a max that they're entitled to I believe. This I'm admittedly foggy on.

I do know this though:
- no one has been let go after 5 years for talking about unions. There's talk about unions all the time. It's just that the vast majority appears to be against the idea now.
- no one has been let go AT ALL at the end of their contract
- there's no atmosphere of "better be good, that contract is hanging over my head." People speak their minds regularly to Bushy, Barger, Neeleman and the rest.
- If they ever cut someone loose at 5 years just because he/she "****ed off the wrong person" it would change the entire dynamic of the company and would basically throw away everything we're trying to build.

That's how I understand it at least.