Originally Posted by
genericusername
You cannot down/lateral bid prior to the end of the seat lock period without a waiver approved by Vice President, Flight Operations (CBA 24.F.1.e.i). Each subsequent time you down/lateral bid the seat lock period increases. The period commencement date is based upon seat activation date.
In our most recent system bid management granted seat lock waivers because at the time of the bid, they forecast that our next bid was quite far away. So those participating in the bid in that situation had to have a waiver.
As I said, there are 100s of scenarios. Lets say your two year lock ends on March 15. The bid closes on March 16, but the first training date on the bid isn't until May 3rd. Can you bid? All of that is usually answered in the FAQ for that specific bid. Bottom line is to count on a 2 year seat lock before you can train out of that seat. It may be longer than that, but you will be in that seat for at least 2 years unless you upgrade to a higher paying seat or bid to an FDA.