They review student performance and critiques in evaluating the sim requirements for each type of training. They did not extend the seat lock. They added sims which put the training in a different bucket contractually. 3 or more years ago I suspect the company and MEC would have sat down and reached a agreement to sign a LOA amending the requirements and keep the seat lock the same. We don’t have that type of relationship now. I don’t know of a single pilot who has bid off the 330 under 24 months with one exception and he went to Captain.
Adding two sims means for every five students they put through they lose the ability to train one full course student. I guarantee you that adding sims was far more expensive to the company than the 1 or 2 guys a year who might bid off between the 12 and 24th month. Pilots arrive on the 330 and tend to camp forever!
You also need to understand this is a AQP program with extensive FAA monitoring of bust rate and extra sim periods required as well as IOE times required. More than likely in the current 330 sim environment the FAA mandated the change. The company is not about to give up 330 sim periods given the accelerated delivery schedule unless they were strongly compelled to do so.