Ever airline has crew on standby and leave, whether sick or vacation. The terms and conditions will vary but ever airline has the same basic requirements. What you don't have is a management response to a crisis, that has now been going for 7 years, that involves the compulsory use of accrued leave to balance their books. This " efficiency" is of the same nature as parking brand new aircraft for " operational flexibility". It is rubbish and has been pointed out to the culprits on many occasions. But as they are the "sharpest tools in the shed" they know better. Crew want to work and the majority are quite happy to work to the limit of the requirements. To place them on compulsory leave doesn't mean being efficient. The management have to accept their responsibility in this mess and make the airline efficient - even if this involves making people redundant.
Seebee