Friend/Guest Captain Selection List

How exactly is the list generated? It seems if I keep opening and closing it, and changing the ordering, I will get slightly different options (sometimes). I tried favoriting a few of my friendslist, but doing that then clicking favorite on the guest captain selection doesn't seem to do anything. What exactly is the "favorite" ordering doing then? (and what do the time and added filters do too?)

I don't really understand what dictates what options are available on the list or how I ight be able to get to pick the friend captain I want. Any insight?