Originally Posted by
RonRicco
<<<<The current system leaves it up to the scheduler. He can award it to a reserve in base or to the out of base WS. They look at their coverage and play the game to suit crew scheduling. >>>>
This is not correct. If the trip is more than 12 hours out it goes to reserves first and if it is under 12, the out of base WS goes first. The scheduler has no discretion and a reserve could get credit for the trip if it was not awarded properly as could the pilot requesting the WS.
FWIW, the last LEC meeting I attended pilots were actually calling for the end of the out of base WS because they felt it was reducing their chance of getting an in base GS.
Your correct contractually. What actually happens however is that if a scheduler feels its to his advantage to cover a trip with a out of base pilot they simply wait until there is under 12 hours to go and then cover it. They have a lot of latitude and several tricks they use. I have complained on many occasions about crew scheduling hoarding trips and not covering them right away. They do what they feel is to their benefit.