"I was a bit puzzled why someone would volunteer for a study meant to make him work longer hours"
A number of months ago a friend there mentioned JB was trying to petition the FAA to exceed the 8 in 24 rule. As it was explained to him, JB wanted to be able to crew two transcons with one crew. As in JFK to LGB (socal airport JB uses) and back to JFK. The carrot dangled was a two day work week instead of the usual 3 (and on occasion 4) day trip. 2 on, 5 off sounds good on paper. I talked to him after this broke. He had thought this had died as he hadn't heard much about it. He was wrong I guess.