The contract says if you're on probation, you aren't eligible for Company Offered Months of Absence. The letter BM sent out said this:

For September 2008, company offered monthly absences (COMA) will be offered to all Captain and First
Officers by virtue of seniority and will be granted upon staffing accommodations. (I added the bold)

I also heard from a friend who asked BM about it and Brian said yes, even probationary pilots can bid.

Thought I'd throw that out there in case there are any probationary pilots that are senior to me that might not have bid for it otherwise