Originally Posted by
DeadHead
Thought a PBS bidding question thread would be good..
Yes, calling the PBS helpline is always an option, but I've found some of the feedback I've received here over the years more helpful and applicable over the years.
When bidding to fly with a LCA does it makes sense to put it above other preference qualifiers? Or below?
I'm using EasyBid and when I place the Fly with Line Check Airman preference qualifier high up on the list, it appears as though the bid pool for most of my preference qualifiers shrinks or disappears altogether. I'm guessing it's because the Captains lines would need to be completed first before it can analyze the Fly with Line Check Airman preference. I'm further guessing that if I am not senior enough to hold that preference then it will start moving down the list to line by line attempting to honor each preference.
Just trying to prevent screwing myself and yes I am junior to you.
Can't speak for EZBid but I'm guessing you're speculation is correct. Nobody knows which trips will be "LCA" trips until the Captain bids are run.
It sounds like we're in similar situations, so my general strategy is as follows:
1. Prefer off dates I want off
2. Avoid anything I wouldn't want to do if I end up flying with the LCA, he calls in sick or I'm otherwise left flying the trip
3. AWARD trips if LCA - can make this layered, multiple lines if you want to preference trips within the LCA trips available at your seniority
4. Avoid anything else I don't want to do on a normal trip
5. Award trips in order of stuff I want - commutability, layovers, etc
6. Depending on how picky your requirements are you can clear Sked and restart another bid group but I generally do it all in one
7. If I'm sure I'll have a sked built by this point I usually finish with Avoid Trips if AVG Daily Credit > 0. This prevents PBS from tacking on some crap trip to get me to the threshold (PBS will not deny an avoid to reach the threshold, and this will leave your Sked alone as long as you've gotten at least to the bottom of the LCW)
Hope that helps someone and that you're actually junior
Otherwise disregard the above