Originally Posted by tennisguru

Yes, there is a point. I don't have hard data but from experience it seems like most SC rotation assignments are placed on people's schedules well in advance of the start of SC. So say you've got 1400 SC on your first day of LC and you go NC. That means that from 1200 the day prior up until you end NC status, scheduling cannot (legally) give you a rotation that reports between 1400 and 1559. Yes at some point you can end NC status and then that re-opens the 1400-1559 window, but again for most of the time leading up to your SC your SC is effectively 1/3 shorter. So say in the example of 1400 SC you go NC at 1200 the day prior when SC is assigned, and you choose to end NC status 1 hour prior to SC start, so 1300. That is 25 hours of time where a 1430 rotation report can pop up into OT and you would not be legal to be given the rotation.

Now yes, you end NC status at 1300 and at 1301 a 1430 report hits OT. Well then they call you at 1400 and you simply have the promptly available undefined time limit to make report because you ended NC status at a time that was convenient for you.. This can happen too. So the earlier you end SC status the less useful it becomes, but there is always a benefit because for at least some decently long period of time between SC assignment and when you end NC status you are shortening your SC availability by 2 hours. Or as has been happening if scheduling assigns you an illegal rotation that reports earlier than two hours you'll end up wtih extra pay (assignment pay) for the same work.

1400 SC, you don't go NC. Scheudling assigns a 1430 report with a 7 hour block day 1. You get there when you get there, fly the rotation, and get zero extra pay.

1400 SC, you do go NC. 1430 report hits OT. Either you don't get the rotation (win), or if they force you to fly now/grieve later; you report by 1600 and now you're also getting 7 extra hours of pay that you aren't due in scenario #1 (win).

I reiterate: YOU CHOOSE when to end NC status at a time that makes sense for you to from that moment still be able to report right at the 2 hour into SC mark.

1400 SC. Door to parking lot in 30 minutes. End NC status at 1515 (15 minute pad)
1400 SC. Door to parking lot in 1:30. End NC status at 1415 (15 minute pad)
1400 SC. Door to parking lot in 2:45. End NC status at 1245 (30 minute pad)
1400 SC. Door to parking lot in 4:00. End NC status at 1100 (60 minute pad)

Even in the last case of a 4:00 drive/NC status end at 1100, NC status still blocked your first 2 hours for 23 hours assuming SC was assigned at noon the day prior. And someone in that situation is going to have to come at least part way in anyways to be in the vicinity of the airport starting at 1400.