PBS WHERE WE ARE NOW
Over the next few weeks we will be discussing the specific benefits of a Preferential Bidding System (PBS) that respects seniority throughout the entire bid process. Specifically, we will focus on the elements of FlightLine’s PrefBid system “Flica”, a PBS system that was customized by pilots – for the benefit of pilots.

The contrasts between FlightLine’s PrefBid and a globalized PBS system, such as Crewing Solution’s SmartPref, are obvious. Globalized systems are designed to benefit the company regardless of the cost to pilot Quality of Life (QOL). This is not acceptable to pilots wanting to develop a schedule that preserves as much quality of life as possible.

We understand the difference in perspective from other groups. Certainly, when we were using line bidding, we thought PBS was the scheduling manifestation of the Devil. It was this concern that we, the ASA Master Executive Council, agreed to investigate but not necessarily implement, PBS after Contract 2007. This decision was vital in securing the work-rules that have made our version of FlightLine’s PrefBid pilot friendly.

“It’s not about the system, it’s just about the work-rules!”

The work-rules do play a significant role, but the system award logic is just as important. What good are the work-rules if the system has the right to ignore your bid, every month? What is the point of bidding if you cannot expect some sense of consistency in how the system will operate?

We negotiated the FlightLine LOA after our 2007 CBA was ratified. Negotiating outside of National Mediation Board (NMB) Section 6 negotiations allowed us to insist on protecting pilots QOL. We did not have to conform to the bankruptcy-forced industry standard that could have caused significant damage to pilot QOL. The company wanted PBS, and we worked with them to achieve QOL protections for our pilots. There is no clearer evidence of the results than the overwhelming support for our version of FlightLine’s PrefBid than the large majority of our pilots that are pleased with the results after three years of bidding experience.

Why would anyone want to consider using a globalized system?

Obviously, the company would enjoy the benefits. Why would pilots want to use a globalized system? The average line pilot has no ability to construct his specific line and is forced to bid on pre-constructed lines. Pilots try to correct for losses in QOL by fishing for trips during the First-Come-First-Serve Line-improvement windows. Crewing Solution’s SmartPref has a few features that are attractive. The interface is newer and an ongoing prelim is certainly a neat idea. Unfortunately, the cost to QOL for those features is substantial when the overall system philosophy is evaluated.

Unfortunately, some pilots are unaware they will lose a significant amount of this ability when there are no seniority-inverting conflicts. “Senior” trips will no longer drop to lower lines to use for line-improvement. The very limited amount of open time that will remain will be a shock to those used to thousands of hours to pick from. The scraps left over will be much less desirable and less valuable and there will be much less available.

It is critical, in PBS bidding, to be able to get what you want the first time. There is next to nothing left in open time, and what is available, most pilots will not want.

We do not advocate for negotiating separate preferential bidding systems. We do advocate for negotiating together, for terms of a pilot-friendly, pilot designed, PBS system, rather than testing a product that is not ready for use on a large scale and lacks sufficient support staff. We could use our combined leverage to negotiate improvements to our current system that is proven to work, and is currently up and running.

We are providing this information to allow pilots to make an informed decision and communicate their needs to their ALPA representation.

If you have any questions please contact the ASA MEC scheduling committee by phone at 888-624-5195 or e-mail at [email protected].

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