That is likely true. That is also why 93% of the trips on the 717 (in ATL at least) are 4 and 5 days. In fact there are more 5-day trips than 1, 2, and 3 day trips combined!

When network adds a bunch of unanticipated flying all at once (a good thing, but better to get a little advance notice) the trip construction software ends up building a lot of these longer trips. I was a bit peeved about that and emailed both my reps and the Rotation Construction Committee and they gave me the same answer.

Thank God for the TLV (Target Line Value). The ALVs are going to have to come down soon due to the TLV. Really wacky things might be seen in terms of trip construction when that happens...or not.

Funny thing is that you can never predict the eventual fallout. For example I was camping over Colombus Day weekend. I came back to 6 IA "robo calls." This month I bid reserve as well and am just finishing a three day block of reserve days where many of us--myself included--not only didn't fly, but didn't even sit short call.

Next month could be either extreme.