12 June 2014

XJT Pilots:

Your elected pilot representatives convened in Houston for an MEC meeting this week. As we mentioned in an earlier communication, the MEC was exploring schedule bidding software options to be included in the JCBA. We currently use line build software provided by AdOpt, which sorts pairings built using AdOpt’s pairing software. Our company works with Scheduling Committee volunteers to achieve these solutions. Individual pilots do not have any preferences or specific input during the line build process prior to the construction of all lines.

The two vendors we have explored over the past weeks, and specifically this week with both MEC Scheduling Committees, are SmartPref and Flightline. Both of these systems are Preferential Bidding Systems (PBS) and allow the pairings to be loaded into the system in much the same way as AdOpt, but then individual pilots set personal preferences and the software builds lines in seniority order. Spirited discussions around PBS and changes to scheduling rules are clear and consistent - the overall quality of life for XJT pilots must improve or remain the same.

The outcome of this research and deliberation was the selection of SmartPref as the software provider for pilot schedule bidding negotiations. Your representatives have directed the JNC and scheduling committees to work together to adapt the new software and contract language to better meet the needs of the pilots. You can read the text of the MEC resolution selecting the SmartPref system on our MEC Meetings page.

The next step in the process of developing the new schedule bidding system at ExpressJet is for our Negotiating Committee to bargain with the company on the work rules the new system will require. Then our Scheduling Committee and the Company will work with the vendor to set up the system. All pilots will be trained on the selected software, so they can participate in several months of parallel bidding in a test phase. After listening to your feedback, the MEC will ensure the pilot group votes on which bidding system they prefer.

Next week we will begin the first mediated bargaining session with the JNC, the company, and the federal mediator in ATL. I will send an update on that session at the end of next week. In addition, I will be in DEN on June 16, IAD on June 17, and ORD on June 18 to visit pilots in the crewroom. Please stop by if you have time to talk about PBS, our negotiations, or any other concerns you may have.