> a ) that there is no other way around this other than compiling my own fixed
> version of jaybird, and

If you say that you need that parameter (in most cases people don't), it
looks like own version of Jaybird is the only possibility (unless you
have tried specifying it in the URL, but you sure tried it, didn't you).

> 2) that it is really considered a bug that will be fixed in an upcoming
> release

Definitely not a bug. :) But as a feature.

Roman