I guess I am missing something in your rant. When you finish qual training, "they" (OE planners) can put a trip where ever so long as it is FAR117 compliant. Shadow bidding has zero effect on that. Shadow bidding is solely for pay purposes. You are getting paid the greater of the OE trip or the shadow trip when the two touch. If they put OE on that doesn't touch your shadow trip, then you are getting paid for the OE trip as well as the shadow trips. Some people like that extra pay.

Now, would it be nice to have the ability to place a few OE Golden Days on your sked? Sure. Maybe C2022 will get that for us. But, till then, it is what it is.