If the trip gets picked up, and then either dropped or called in sick the damage is still done. If the trip gets picked up regardless of what happens later it counts for the company, and after the 3 month window we are stuck with them permanently.
Even if they are not picked up (like was done in ANC) the process allows PC or whoever his replacement becomes the ability to say the dispute is invalid and make the trip permanent!
It started with ANC-NRT-NGO and now is ANC-NRT-KIX or ICN