Company had in 2023 basically promised beards for 2024, but seemed to do a backpedal once the recruiting/attrition dynamic turned in their favor about a year ago.

They might be hoping to extract some negotiating capital in exchange for beards in JCBA, but I seriously doubt enough pilots prioritize beards over pay, schedule, etc. to make a difference. I certainly do not, and it wasn't in any union surveys.

If recruiting/retention becomes an issue in a couple years, maybe then.