Just one more note, and a change of gears, to the PBS thing.

The benefits that you describe are the BIG advantages of line bidding. No argument there. PBS also reduced staffing requirements. (this was my major heartburn when we went to PBS while I and my co-furloughees were still out).

Just to give you a glimpse of the positives. Before, on line bidding, let's say I wanted a few specific days off. Well, first I sorted through the bid pack to find the lines that met that. Let's say that leaves me with 15 available lines. Now maybe I'm a commuter. cut out the non-commutables, now maybe I'm down to 7 or so. Now are those desirable lines, i.e., can I hold them?

On PBS, I tell the thing what days I want off, and it gives them to me. Granted, my seniority allows that, but if you're willing to accept crappier trips, you can dictate days off down to a pretty low seniority. It's nice flexibility. And the more senior you are, it becomes HIGHLY customizable. [show times, credit times, release times, layovers, legs per day, credit per day, etc..etc..]

Anyway, in case you haven't thought of the other side of the coin.