Original Message

... two reasons.   They had just started a new payroll system and it was easier for that computerized system to be set up if pilot's had a steady schedule in the bi-weekly pay cycle.   But, they also claimed that having every pilot on a "standard schedule" would make it easier to cover open shifts for sick callouts and vacation.   Their idea was that everyone would be starting/ending on common days, easing the effort to find coverage.

But, they also  said the FAA was on their back because the randomness of schedules made it difficult to track pilots duty periods.  This was not backed-up with any logical support, since the FAA deals with hundreds of operators who have random pilot schedules, including airlines where every line is different duty periods.

Well, at least that was the reasons the union's non-elected appointed trustee who never flew a day of HAA/HEMS in his entire career.