Originally Posted by
Frip
Old, thirty years service, junior and live in base and don't travel much and use the jumpseat even more rarely.
Everyone can't be on the phone at the starting gun. Some are flying, some are watching their kids play ball, or whatever.
A hybrid system allows everyone a reasonable chance at signing up.
There is no "fair".
"Fair" is inevitably defined as "what works for me", by most.
Equal can be defined. Straight FCFS is just "I can get over if I _____"
The arguments in favor of it on these threads illustrate that, and especially illustrate the "specious and selfish" comment, in a classically "pot meet kettle" sense.
Many of those reasons are why I hate our pass riding system. My wife is a a F/A and is constantly flying with folks that are setting their clocks to wake up and book their flight home.
I think that most that don't want the system changed don't want the (mostly) guaranteed seat screwed up.