Since we can control "Auto Accept" and "Auto Acknowledge" the obvious fix is to insert coverage just above 23 M. 7. that gives the trip to the most senior pilot who has waived their proffer.
A friend sent me this and I agree. Feel free to copy and send to your Reps if you are inclined to do so.
Suggested improvements to trip coverage:- Conditionally waive the proffer: If a close-in trip needs to be covered (in an instance where 23 M. 7. would be used) direct Crew Scheduling to skip to pilots who have selected YES to AUTO ACCEPT that trip via PCS and award the rotation in seniority order of those who want to fly. Limitations would have to be mutually agreeable and specific, say < 120 minutes to report.
- If we want to maintain the "proffer" aspect of close-in assignments, then expand the batch size. This is a worse choice than #1 because it will disturb rest (for some reason these calls seem to always come between 2 & 4 AM) and Crew Scheduling still has the uncertainty of knowing whether the pilot awarded the trip is willing to fly.
- Require trip coverage be initiated within a specific time limit and make this information transparent to line pilots. Line pilots have no visibility into when trip coverage is pulled, or coverage begins. This would drastically reduce non-productive calls to Crew Scheduling.
The Association may see either of these solutions as "concessionary." If necessary, give the association something to fix our mutual problem.