couldn't we just have reserve pay 120 hrs and let scheduling do as they want?

Only if they can't move my days off...id be okay with your idea.

Only if we get 15/16 days off a month. And no more RDOs. They are all HDO. Then that'll do just fine.

I've been watching CCS way more than I ever care to the last 72 hours to really try and observe the evolution or de-evolution of a trip and the manning of reserves for open trips.

The crew desk is going way out of their way to ensure trips are covered using system wide reserves. I've seen more trips broken up into the strangest of ways to cover the assignments. All the while SC assignments get posted then taken away in a moments notice.

I believe the ultimate end is no SRM or VDO all the while trying to maximize each reserve(no surprise). I'll admit, someone is really working at it and succeeding. Too my surprise trips that seem destined for VDO are miraculously salvaged using reserves in a myriad of ways. Unfortunately the system is not very transparent to solve some of these mysteries.

My equipment is narrow body and I would say 70% of my flying in last 3 months is in support of other domiciles.

And no I'm not complaining, just an observation.

Thanks.