A few of you are missing the point!!
It doesn't matter what the FARs state about the validity & duration of the FE written!
If you want to work here, take the FE written so that it is current within the last 24 months! If you aren't willing to jump thru this hoop and/or you are whining about it, then you do not belong here. We have outside requirements that we accomplish every year to stay current & qualified. This is such a miniscule requirement of the "big picture" and easy to accomplish, I do not understand why it is even being questioned?
It is RARE that a new hire will go to a window seat. That will change when the B-727s are parked, but that will not happen for years!! A few new hires from 1995 & 2005 and then the "Purple Nuggets" to ANC (and a few of those guys are on the panel as I type this tonight...).
Will HKG be offered up? Only Mgmt knows the answer....