I think we can all agree to this. The awards coming out this late needs to change. Other than that, I personally don't have a big problem with our current PBS. I get what I want sometimes, and I probably wouldn't get anything better with line bidding. I bid pretty junior. I think that SOME of the people complaining about PBS at ASA, don't bid properly. Anytime I was awarded something weird, it was because of the way I bid 9 our of 10 times. Any other problems I've had with my schedule have been from the company. Mostly getting screwed because of staffing issues. Separate from the PBS system itself. They make excuses like they got some last minute changes or something like that. Also, the union says that some months they have to fight the company to keep them from screwing us. The company refuses to make reasonable pairings. I think these things would still be happening, regardless of what system we use to bid. And yes, our PBS has its draw backs. I'm not saying ours is the best or its the one we should choose. We all should keep an open mind to all possibilities and educate ourselves. Can ASA guys read this 14 page report? I would like to read that myself.

So my point is, no matter what system we choose, we need to have strong language. That's our current drawback and why we have problems now. I know that this company exploits and rapes every loophole and gray area in our current contract. From what I've been hearing from some xjt guys, they are starting to do that to you guys as well. It will continue until we get a new contract with stronger language to protect us from the abuses of management and scheduling. I assure you they will keep doing it as long as they can. I'm sure they will find ways to exploit the new contract as well. I am more concerned over the strength of our contract and the protections and benefits it offers.