I think I do have the secret to Merlot.

Never bid days off.

Bid all trips only. I can't stress this enough. After they award you those trips you are up to the required amount of flying for the month. Choose trips on days you want to work and make the days off the last choices.

You have to realize that what days you want off doesn't matter at all to the person reading your excel spreadsheet and selecting your trips. However, if you put in all flying trips instead they must choose those first.

I won't say my schedules have been perfect since I tried this but I will say they have gotten much better.