If we staffed at the PBS min staffing formula there would be issues with convering the schedule.

I think the point of a GS is that it allows guys to fly that want to fly, but it does not effect the staffing formula. All of the trips that are in to pot are there due to IROP, sickouts, or PBS not being able to construct a legal line for the rotations left. This leaves trips open for pick up. When scheduling cannot cover them via WS, or reserve pilot, they opt for the premium pickup green slip. All of this is done after the min staffing for the seat is determined based upon block hrs.

The argument that GSing tips until you are blue in the face, may minimally effect staffing of a seat but not to the extent many think. The company still needs to hit the PBS staffing formula(easy), and build LOT's with the trips in the initial pot. The coverage we are looking at is due to an IROP. If you want to see what true coverage is, look at the reserves avail versus required is prior to the start of the month. That will let you see how the seat is staffed.

Of course the company can opt to carry more pilots as to never give out a green slip, and that is their option. It is cheaper to a point to do that. When premium pay get more expensive that it costs to hire, they hire. What 1.5 over 80 does is lower the PBS reserve staffing formula over time. As more guys pick up trips at premium pay, the reserves required number will go down, and as a result the staffing in a given seat goes down.

Many have issues with how the GS award process is done, but what it DOES DO is make the airline staff its seats relatively close to projected block hrs. GS's can be assigned before reserves under 12 hrs but the reality is that when GS's go out all of the reserves are used, and as a result the min staffing number edges up because of this.

Make sense?