Strict vs Flexible scheduling in SimRoster

SimRoster can generate your roster in two distinct scheduling styles. Neither is objectively better. They are optimised for different personalities, different time budgets, and different definitions of enjoyment. The important thing is that you understand the trade, because the choice you make determines how often you get to fly, how much your schedule resembles an airline roster, and how quickly your career progresses.

This guide is intentionally detailed. Read it once, choose a mode, and remember that you can always switch later. Your completed flights and logbook are never rewritten. Only future assignments change.

The two modes at a glance

• Flexible scheduling: one flight per day, no return legs, no enforced rest. You can fly every day and progress quickly.
• Strict scheduling: outbound and return legs, plus rest days. Your roster is built from multi day pairings that feel like an airline.

Flexible scheduling, what it is

Flexible scheduling is designed for momentum. You get a simple roster where each day stands on its own. There are no enforced return legs, and there are no enforced rest days. The result is a roster that gives you something to do every day. For many users this is the difference between occasionally opening the app and building a habit.

Flexible is also the best choice if you fly in short sessions. If you have forty five minutes after work, you do not want your roster to demand a return leg tomorrow and then a rest day after that. You want a single flight you can complete tonight.

• You want to fly most days of the week.
• You prefer short, self contained sessions.
• You want faster progression early on, especially as a Junior First Officer.
• You want variety, because any eligible route can appear on any day.

Strict scheduling, what it is

Strict scheduling is designed for authenticity. The roster is built out of pairings, not isolated flights. You fly an outbound leg, you operate the return, and you take rest days that create a believable cadence. This mode is for users who want the sensation of being on a line, living inside a roster, and planning their week around duties.

Strict is also where long haul feels most natural. A long haul duty should not appear every day. It comes with recovery time. That rhythm is part of what makes it feel real.

• You want your roster to resemble an airline duty pattern.
• You enjoy pairings, return legs, and the sense of a structured week.
• You prefer fewer, more meaningful flights over many smaller flights.
• You care about realism in the shape of the schedule, not only the route list.

How to choose the right mode

Start with your time budget. If you can realistically fly three to six times per week, choose Flexible. If you fly once or twice per week and you want those flights to feel like real duty periods, choose Strict. Both modes use realistic routes. The difference is whether the schedule enforces airline like structure.

If you are unsure, begin with Flexible. It is easier to stay engaged, and it lets you learn the product with less friction. Once you are comfortable, switch to Strict for a more immersive experience. Many pilots follow that arc. They start casual and become strict as the career fantasy becomes compelling.

A concrete example

Imagine your base is JFK and you have time to fly on three evenings this week.

• In Flexible scheduling you might fly JFK to LAX on Monday, JFK to MIA on Tuesday, and JFK to BOS on Wednesday. Each day is a complete session. There is no obligation to return tomorrow.
• In Strict scheduling you might fly JFK to LAX on Monday, LAX to JFK on Tuesday, then rest on Wednesday. Your week reads like a pairing, not a list of independent flights.

Both are valid. One favours frequency. The other favours structure. Choose the one that matches how you actually live and fly.

Switching modes, what changes and what does not

Switching modes regenerates your future roster. Your upcoming scheduled flights are replaced with new ones that match the mode you selected. Your completed flights, logbook, and history remain untouched. This is not a reset. It is a preference change.

• Completed PIREPs and logbook entries stay the same.
• Your total hours and rank stay the same.
• Your future scheduled assignments are replaced immediately.

Common questions

Will Flexible feel unrealistic?

No. Flexible changes the structure of your roster, not the realism of the routes. It simply removes the enforcement of return legs and rest days. Many pilots prefer it because it fits real life. You can still fly serious routes. You just do not need to fly them on the app's timetable.

Will Strict slow my progression?

Strict tends to reduce how often you can fly, because rest days are part of the design. If you fly the assignments you are given, your hours will rise more slowly than in Flexible. If your goal is rapid progression, Flexible is usually the better starting point.

Can I switch back and forth?

Yes. Switching is a normal part of using SimRoster. Many users fly Flexible during busy weeks and Strict when they have time to enjoy a more immersive roster. Your history remains intact either way.

Where to change it

You can set your schedule style during onboarding. You can also change it later in Settings, under Preferences. Switching is instant and your roster updates right away.

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