dckozak

Not true. Advance volunteer is a maybe proposition. If the Co. can fill trips with other (straight time) M/U's than it will; at least you get some notice (I think a week) if you will get the trip. All premium time is for "worst case" (from the Co. point of view ) trip filing, its hit or miss to get. On the other hand, anyone can pick up time via C/O and not conflicting during the next month's bid.
The best way would be the way Jet Blue does it, pay over time after a certain hour limit is reached. Than everyone, senior, junior, commuter, and non commuter, have equal access to the "goodies".