LCC has been a bit of a disaster. That being the default for reserve means that it only effectively has SC reserves if they bid it, or scheduling converts. The conversions have been a huge problem for QOL, and I think a lack of default SC lines results in more problematic coverage. Already running thinner on reserve coverage compounds this issue big time. Management spins the narrative as people are abusing sick calls, but IMHO if you use IMSAFE, PAVE, cumulative fatigue, etc. that a lot of these sick calls are literally to take a break and reset. Is there abuse? Sure. But when a SC pilot starts a morning RAP calls in sick the day before, it's totally normal and acceptable. A line holder calling out sick 6 hours before a trip is totally normal. A LCC calling in sick 10 hours before a trip after being assigned a trip is somehow the craziest and most unimaginable thing ever for some reason.

I don't fly sick. I use my sick time as intended and I use it how the state of CA (WA and OR are the same) allows me to. If my kid is sick, I am allowed to use sick time. This culture of having to have a sick bank, and to not go below, and to then get a bonus when you retire if you don't use it, creates a culture of pilots showing up sick as a dog to work. That bugs me more than anything...