In my opinion, either AA wants Envoy to keep a bunch of surplus regional FO's around so that competitors can't have them in a pilot shortage play, or the far more likely alternative -- Envoy has a lot of incompetent decisionmakers.

Ever tried to drop reserve days when you're number 40+ on the reserve list and unlikely to get called unless they staff every flight during your shift with reserves? Denied due to staffing. Lol. I'd be happy as a clam if I got a 4 month unpaid LOA to go do international travel, and it would benefit everyone. I get my abysmal but extremely expensive health insurance and to goof off, and Envoy holds onto me without having to pay me. Naturally, this is a flat no. Due to staffing.