XOpilot

XO's SOC works directly with contracted licensed dispatchers to plan and file the flight plans. Senior Captains take turns being the duty officer for 24 hour shifts. The Duty Officers exercise operational control and issue releases for elevated risk score legs like mountain airports, international flights, short runways, low IFR, and long duty days. They double check flight plans, permits, performance etc and communicate directly with the flight crews to make sure everyone is happy and on the same page. If the duty officer (line pilot) doesn't sign off on a level 3 leg, the trip can't go unless the Chief Pilot or D.O. signs off on a level 4 which is the highest risk score and rarely happens. Both pilots would certainly have to want to do the trip for a level 4 to be issued, and the duty officers concerns would have to be mitigated or at least considered. Anyone can elevate a risk level for any reason, so there is no way for Client Services, Dispatch, or SOC to push an unsafe flight on a crew without getting a release from a line pilot who will talk to the crew. It makes it easy for pilots to say they're not comfortable with something, and ensures perspective from a senior pilot who is not in the heat of battle trying to get the job done. Not only does the Captain need to be aware of the elevated risk and accept the flight, he needs to convince the duty officer of how he will accomplish it safely. It's a pretty good and well respected system. The auditors certainly seem to like it.