This is the answer. Union also said a base lock for premium is coming soon. In base pilots only for a certain period of time. That should solve the issue.

I hope that happens. Would certainly require a LOA though.

I know of instances where people are picking up out of base and can't possibly be rested for the duty period. (I don't care about the regs, I'm talking about reality) It's unacceptable. I'm sure it's happening multiple times every day.

If you get into any type of accident/ incident the FAA and NTSB are going to be looking very carefully at what you were doing prior to reporting for duty. Some people are obviously putting their careers (or worse) at risk to steal premiums from other bases.

These pilots must certainly have to use some sort of bot, script. Think about it. every base has pilots chasing premium and that’s hard to do within your own base. Somehow these other pilots are beating every pilot that only tries to pick in their own domicile. it’s improbable.

SMH - Premium...again. 26.H.4

A flight leaves 11:59 pm from LAS. As per contract, in order for a commuter to use the Prudent Judgment clause, they must show at least 2 arrival options that arrive 1 hour prior to any scheduled report time. Pilot A (DEN based) got to their local airport around 8 pm (MST), departed at 9 pm, then landed around 9:30ish (PST). Then, they flew their one leg 4.5 hour redeye (10:59 pm showtime) to ATL (landing at 7:30 am EST). Are they legal? Absolutely. Are they rested? They electronically signed the form that they were so that's all anyone can go with.

Arrival into ATL, they're visibly tired. What should happen? ASAP? A stern "talking to" from the other pilot discussing how they spent the time prior to departing DEN or at LAS after commuting in? A call to pro-standards? Does it matter if it's a reserve, line-holder or someone chasing premium? Is it worse (or better) if you saw that pilot sleeping in the airport in uniform in the sleep room? Gate area?

How many times has this happened in the HISTORY of 121/135?

We need to be very careful how we complain about premium.

Pretty sure people are talking about different scenarios than what you describe. But yes, I understand what you’re saying.

I paid the 3 dollar Flica plan for alerts and got 6-7 texts in just one night with good weather. After the first day, I just turned it off and set it to only get emails from my base. If someone had no life and just watched text messages, they could pick trips really fast with the alert system from all the bases. The FO pay in our contract doesn't really motivate me to go back out on the road to chase a dollar.

Ahhhh, that old chestnut. It's not like it's all some nerd FO with an IT hobby. There are websites/companies that you can join that create these bots for people. You can google it, there are membership levels and everything.

I don't think there is anything wrong with the "grind," and getting debt paid off. But the Bot usage for it is questionable.

F138-

If I’m not mistaken, this still qualifies as violating the terms of service of FLICA.

It absolutely is. But these guys surrender their Flica User/Pass to the Bot. Once that is done the Bot takes the wheel.
The Pilot group would have better luck policing it internally or written into a contract versus expecting CAE/Flica to do something about it.

I hate that this is still a thing.

F138-

This only works insofar as the pilot group is remotely capable of it.

From my experience, and the recent drama shared in class group chats, many of these guys are completely misguided on how picking up premium actually works. They’re too lazy or life constrained to really “hustle” like the “pros” and just want these flights served on a platter to them. And you want them to police the alleged bot usage? I am unconvinced any bots even exist.

I was a junior FO when I figured out how to get some premium. I could probably get 50% of the ones I put in for and I was junior. It involves a lot of staring at FLICA and seeing where the reserve coverage is weak.. Obviousy this favors the folks with more time on their hands or who commit to it entirely. All of these people complaining don’t want to do that. Go figure.

It boils down to jealousy, and you don’t want mob rule governing the pilot group.