[tarheelswamprat]

They know the nomination must be withdrawn if not passed out of committee Thursday (per Clarice Feldman).

That's simply not true. He can join an in-progress SCOTUS term at whatever point he is confirmed. It just means he can't rule on cases that were already in progress before he is seated. Gorsuch did exactly that last year.

[chiller]

Clarice at Am Thinker reports Thursday is the deadline or withdrawal happens according to "arcane Senate rules." she doesn't miss much.

I am not certain of any specifics, but we agree he can join at anytime. The importance then, depends upon which cases are first up on the docket.