Originally Posted by
crewdawg
Here is one that doesn't currently impact me, but a UAL buddy brought up. Why don't we bid for FO and "bunkie" positions? Seems like it would make more sense to know your rest break ahead of time. It could also have an added bonus of saving some heartache for those middle seniority FO's who think they're about to get bought off a trip, only to have one of the number 1-3 guys swap into it at the last minute lol.
We once did it that way at Delta. You bid for either the flying or relief seat. It was not contractual but company policy. A pilot filed a grievance for being moved to the RP position to allow the RP to maintain currency. Shortly after a FOM change came out eliminating the RP position and stating everyone was a FO. The Captain would decide seat positions. You are correct that having a designated relief pilot eliminated a lot of the trip swapping BS.
By the way Captains should allocate landings based on currancy. Many Captains take a landing every trip.