Originally Posted by Flightcap

Gotcha. I do like that you guys have a non-reserve tied dropping system. If I understand it correctly, until 4 days prior the only limiting factor is the DDL and the Flica fence, is that right? If so it would be amazing to combo that with the ability to drop to zero, (effectively removing the Flica fence) though I think that would result in negative staffing by a zillion every day of the month. That fact could make the best parts of the two systems mutually exclusive.

The redeeming factor about our system being tied to reserve is that the company is required to adjust the required reserve buffer lower for the entire month until 75% of the days in the month are green. This is what people refer to as the red/green rule.They are required to do this prior to the start of IOT (seniority-based equivalent of your MOT, but includes the ability to drop). After the start of IOT the grid fluctuates freely and usually ends up barely green or just barely red by the time the 2 days prior drop/swap/add deadline hits.

The result is that the more senior pilots get the opportunity to drop almost at will in IOT, and junior pilots will get their chance by stalking the DOT grid if they couldn’t drop in IOT. The practical reality is that schedule manipulation is very easy. Multiple months of the first 12 that I was a lineholder I didn’t like my awarded schedule so I dropped the entire thing. I eventually flew 80 hour lines built entirely of trips I wanted that dropped into DOT throughout the month as other pilots manipulated their schedule.

TLDR; I’m very happy with the results of our system even if it’s tied to reserve coverage. It would be better if not tied, though I can’t see how the company would prevent unlimited negative staffing as a result.