Slow,

I don't know what software they use to assign trips. Their default position when you question an assignment is that "it's legal." After agreeing with them that's it's legal and you're doing the best you can, the follow up question is "why did you assign a 05:00 short call to a 6:30 departure instead of one of the 03:00 people?" They answer to that is, "we don't do it, the computer does it. The computer looks for availability two hours prior to departure time."

IMHO, that software should be written to 3 hours, as to:

• Not burden the other pilots with doing the job of the reserve pilot
• Allow the reserve pilot sufficient time to perform duties like checking wx, bulletins and pubs
• Allow sufficient time for briefings / safety, etc ...
• Avoid rushing, and a disaster if hat or ID is left in wrong car, leaving last night's fish in the garbage, or any of the other things that occur when you have 5 minutes notice of a 4 day trip.

Especially if we have the coverage anyway and the earlier reserve isn't being utilized.

I always thought the two hours was to the airport, not to wheels up. If they changed it, they took an hour away. But others have used this system for years and maybe there is an angle I'm not considering. Hence the vetting here. Thanks for your reply.