Take someone that's been here 5-7 years, on reserve for 3 of them, got real close to upgrading in 2007 and 2008, but is still in the right seat and is now looking at commuting to JFnK to sit reserve.
Now imagine this person has real doubts about his future at Comair (I know, it's a stretch
). They know they can't feed their family any longer at Comair, but on the other hand they know any growth will put them in the left seat and the last 5-7 years will not go to waste.
This guy can take a voluntary furlough (assuming ALPA gives him the option), do something else to pay the bills and watch his kids grow up instead of sitting at JFnK, and if Delta has a momentary lapse of judgment and awards aircraft to Comair, he will be one of the first to go back.
Worst case - Comair continues to shrink at 25% a year until it's gone - at least he hasn't wasted another two years here.
Given the circumstances, that might be the best he can make out of a crappy career decision in 2002/2003.
That guy would be in his right mind to take the voluntary.