It isn't contractual per se, more like the union got the company to lift the freeze the returning furloughees had on them (those who had been gone longer than three years) so that they could bid the 757/767. Previously, they were quite short and no one was bidding over to it. The union didn't want to see new hires getting on equipment that more senior people were locked out of through no fault of their own. After three years, you can bid to whatever your seniority can hold. And if there should be a huge hiring spree some time down the road, it is possible the new hires can be put on different equipment out of the gate. But with age 65, I don't think that will be any time soon.

As far as furlough protection....here is the thing, in 2001 the contract had a no furlough clause, you can see how much that helped the 2,000 plus pilots that eventually got furloughed. In this industry, anything can happen at any time, at any company, it is just a reflection of the times we live in. It stinks, no doubt about it, but it's the reality nonetheless.