Hmm! LOA? My information back in January is that the company plans to return any S/O that has been out of the Captain or F/O seat for less than 24 months. There have also been a number of guys that have gone on a LOA just prior to age 60 to avoid training as a S/O. does that give you any idea of the companies intent?
No LOA really necessary because those over 60 S/Os have rights based on the current contract and thei positon on the seniority list.
In order to do that, the company has to modify the current contract. That can be done through LOA. The FedEx MEC Chairman has already made his intentions known.
At this point, the only way for younger guys to stop this from happening is a recall.