CJ
"All aircrew are interested in is their own social life"..... What a pitiful lack of understanding you exhibit !
This week alone I volunteered to give up a day off in order to do a long flight (15 hours split duty). Only to have it changed because someone in crewing wanted to do " a favour" for a friend. As a result that day off became a standby...complete waste of time.
The following day I was phoned at departure time minus 45 mins for a 13 hour FDP. The reason the flight had " mistakenly" not been crewed with a Captain. Did I take my time getting in ? No ! Because like many of my collegues I take a great deal of personal pride in not inconveniencing our customers and in supporting my company. The flight eventually departed only 30 mins late, and actually arrived back on schedule !
All this happened because some " spotty youth" in crewing failed to do his job properly ! (How offensive do you find that ?)
You should go flying with a crew on a difficult weeks roster and see it from their perspective. Pilots have an enormous responsibility for the safety and welfare of the hundreds of passengers and crew under their authority. Not much risk in front of your computer screen eh ?
Pilots input into the roster construction can only be beneficial, unless you have something to hide or fear. As with all co-operation the benefits should become apparant even if it does mean the "end of empire"!
Given your apparant lack of understanding and perception I would suggest the sooner the better !