A "typical roster" can't be shared, because no such thing exists. The entire setup is completely arbitrary and by the end of it, pretty much random. So I've tried instead to accurately describe the way by which rosters are constructed at EK.
Take a perfectly good computerized rostering system. Whatever you do, don't devote a large amount of IT resources to it. That way, it will get so overloaded and slow when pilots try to submit their bids that they'll give up trying. You've already lessened the load on the company. Great start!
Add countless secret, non-documented rules, relentless layered on by management. In the double standard spirit of the region, said rules can be broken on whim by the company when it benefits themselves, but are inflexible and incontestable when to even minutely bend them might benefit an employee. Be sure to add completely unreasonable, arbitrary limits such as numbers of days off in a row. Good so far.
Then, crew things so thin that it is a mathematical impossibility to actually cover all required flying with the current number of employed crew. Run rostering program to generate current months roster. It will of course, like all systems operating far outside of the parameters for which it was designed, fail. Blame system and begin making vague promises about a new, improved system to be implemented sometime in the near future, like 2030, or right after the nameplates for the StealeyWheelies are distributed.
Next, begin meddling (sometimes referred to as "manual insertions", an appropriately descriptive title). Give preferred flights to friends of rostering staff (aka "Indian mafia"), locals, trainers. Don't miss anyone! We can't have anyone with a name like "al Whatever" doing some night turn to Hyderabad, can we? That's what the grubby expats are for! Now you're getting the hang of it.
With what is left, continue the orgy of robbing Peter to pay Paul, being careful to manually intervene whenever some poor soul might accidentally be given enough days off in a row to try and do something silly, like go home to their own country. If they have leave, be sure to extract nearly the full month's flying in the remaining duties of the month. In addition, be sure to schedule their last duty before leave with a flight arriving in DXB 4 minutes before the first day of their leave. After their leave, be sure to roster a ULR flight first thing to ensure they give up three days off at home to be back in DXB "acclimatized".
Of course the productivity of the lazy pilots must be maximized, so be sure to get as close to the maximum hours - set at a low, low 92 anyway - as possible without going over. Tip: in months with some of the myriad uncredited duties like PPC's, SEP, CRM, you get easily get far more than 92 hours without having to pay for it. Bonus!
Publish roster. Be sure not to do so more than one week before the month following, to ensure maximum uncertainty for people trying to do trivial things like have a life. Watch in bemusement as the frenzied attempts at swapping begins in order that people may actually be able to eke out some sort of quality of life. Witness as the draconian rules prevent swaps from completing successfully, with no recourse and cryptic explanations from the system. Due to the wonderful design of said system, the schedulers can hide behind it without any sort of human contact or accountability at all. Excellent!
Lastly, head to Costa in the atrium for a 2 hour coffee and rub hands together in smug satisfaction at a job well done. Be sure to leave EGHQ not later than 3pm.
I think that about covers it. If I've missed any steps, I'm sure some of the lads will correct that.
Say how's that Globalista job satisfaction survey going again?
Last edited by nolimitholdem; 5th Oct 2014 at 18:57.