Another thing to consider is that not everyone that is out on a VLA intends on coming back. I know of a guy in my base on VLA that got into a MBA program at some big name university. Others have gone on to other (foreign) airlines and may/may not come back. Some may just get out of aviation altogether . I worked with a couple junior FO's that were commuting to reserve that took VLA's. One guy got a job at home depot in his home town, the other guy started a mobile oil change business.