Yes same pool of trips.
Yes limit doesn't apply.
Trading one trip(s) for another(s) if reserve limited is the only way you can since you can't drop without reserve coverage.

PSA for new guys: if your trying to drop a trip over reserve limited days make sure you also post it to the icrew swap board for the most success as a pilot can then pick it up over alv+15 limit where they wouldn't be able to as a white slip unless they had already reduced their schedules.

As full of luv stated, the swap with pot is for trading a trip you already have for a trip in open time. There is always a lot of behind the scenes churn that happens during pcs runs, especially the first couple on the 20th. So just because you don't see a trip in the pot does not mean it may not come available in the middle of the run. For example, a senior guy may get awarded a trip drop, that trip is now available for swap/white slip throughout the rest of the pcs run, even though it never shows in open time.

Swap with the pot also allows "wildcard swaps" This allows you to trade a trip you have for ANY trip that comes available. These are inputted as a * followed by the number of day trip you want. Example...to swap for any 4-day on the 15th you would input "*4 15may". Very useful if you need a specific day off, but don't want to use a drop or want to trade a shorter trip for a longer one. However, use these with caution as it will award ANY trip that comes open meeting the criteria even those you don't see in the middle of pcs runs.

Once again it is pretty easy once you look at the template and read through the help menu.

Just talked to them. They can use 23k but I have no recovery. Made them note that in my remarks as a backup.

Are you pay protected for the dropped trip?

I still don't know why they can use 23k. Do you lose the credit as well since you have no recovery obligation?

I still think you should ask ALPA for a more in-depth explanation. 23k in the PWA is clear it's only for IROPS and this is no such situation or system event. If you do talk with them please post their answer.

Paid protected for April part but not the 2days in May. I don't understand the May part. I will call Alpa about that.

If you ask for two days off free of duty prior to training on the AE template, you are not pay protected.

I did but that was May 3thru 4. My trip went April 30thru May 3. Should I be pay protected for the 2nd

Sounds like one for ALPA scheduling. I'd call 800-USA-ALPA and ask them on Monday.

Is there a way to guesstimate an upcoming greenslip frenzy? ER lax is black every day except 4 and it's only May