Originally Posted by
Daytripper
The company already figured that out with PBS. They control ALL parameters of it. In the peak of travel season, holidays, etc, regardless of what you request, it will do everything it can to maximize your flying. You can bid award work low, set line value to low....doesn't work.
So, us "non-stupid" types at Cal self adjust.
But I shouldn't have to do that. I should be able to request 80 hr max line value 12 months out of the year. We are NOT migrant workers. If PBS isn't enhanced with this contract...it's a resounding "NO". Regardless.
(Sorry for thread drift.)
Not really thread drift. PBS does allow the company (I assume you're CAL, but same is true at UAL) a lot of flexibility. But, that contract flexibility is what creates the problem. Yes, seniority will be abrogated to the extent necessary to fulfill the flying and solver requirements.
PBS sucks the more junior you are in fleet/seat. No doubts.
While I doubt you'll ever get PBS off the property, Pandora's Box and all, contractual changes to line cap, etc., that are made have to be programmed into the system. If the flex of line min and cap are reduced, the quality of the solution is improved and the latitude allowed by the large differential will decrease the pendulum you probably see in monthly line quality as well as possibly getting more of you "wants" in your monthly bid.
PBS at UAL provided the mechanism to stop end of month carryover conflicts, stop vacation override and training conflicts, etc. It caused probably 500-700 furloughs at that time (nothing to do with current furloughs).
Since you have it, the only way to tame it somewhat is to provide less latitude to the company in min/max build criteria. PBS will always maximize the solution to include not giving number 1 in category their wildest dream if it can't minimize open time to target and/or have to build an illegal line for someone lower in category. And yes, I have some time working the scheduling committee under my belt previously.
BTW, who is the CAL PBS vendor? UAL is Ad Opt. You guys using Carmen? To the best of my knowledge UAL finally went with Carmen for the trip builder some years back. They were testing it at any rate.
Frats,
Lee