Sorry for the thread creep, but...
Why can't we book FC (or whatever uber class is available on a given day) all the time, on all flights? The company is never out the coin. If a pilot is over his bank for the month, the Co. gets the balance out of his check, so they never pay more than their imaginary accepted fare anyway. Airline restrictions? Austerity program? Jealousy?
Months that I fail bidding and have to DH (instead of drive) I frequently buy my own upgrades, after being ticketed, with my own credit card. I am typically over bank every month anyway and it makes dealing with the greyhound-esque nature of air travel just slightly more tolerable.
W.T.F?
I know it is a contract restriction; but does anyone know why?