It can happen. An FTS is *technically* still a reservist although not really IMO. I also know reserve frogmen who were airline pilots and didn't see a cockpit for 10+ years too. But those guys didn't plan it that way, war kind of happened.

If somebody gets furloughed and then is sheltered by USERRA, IMO they can go back whenever they want and at their convenience, no hard spot there either.

But premeditating a lengthy return to regular AD for the sole purpose of gaining massive seniority is a bit over the top. In addition to hosing over all those senior to you, it's going to create a VERY bad impression of reserves in the mind of anyone who learns of this...ESPECIALLY if it becomes common practice. And the sad thing is the reserves will take the heat, but this has nothing to do with us! It would be AC people (who may not actually give a rip about reserves anyway).

The other biggy...if this becomes routine, the airlines will almost certainly push back with congress and get USERRA changed. Not only that but they might get to change a few other things while they're at it