Originally Posted by
Adlerdriver
I have to second BlackKnight's comments. If you truly believe PBS isn't a "big deal", then it's hard to believe you really have a complete understanding of what it would change in our current system.
Just compare the options available to a line-holder with a 7-day vacation with those available to someone with the same vacation and a secondary line.
Junior pilots with carryover or training can manage their conflicts to occasionally allow selection of better trips - that ain't happening with PBS.
Friends at UAL bidding in the bottom half of their seat used to describe the utter futility in even attempting to bid for a few extra days off. The top half of the list got average to above average numbers of days off per month. By the time they got to the bottom half of the list, there was so much flying left that everyone had to be maxed out just to cover it.
As lean as FedEx mans this place, you don't think that would be a problem here?
Our system is far from perfect, but extrapolating your experience at a pax carrier with a mature PBS program (and likely a vacation system unlike ours) isn't valid.
As I said, I prefer our current system.
However, just like anything else, it has a price. Unlike many of you, I've worked under PBS.
If that is United's current system, it isn't a well implemented program. Our current secondary line system is an example of a poorly designed system. Don't get me wrong here, PBS maximizes efficiency for the company. Less pilots required.
Most PBS systems work like this: pairings are built, just like they are now. Pilots (in seniority order) select the pairings they want, the days off they want, cities, TAFB, length of pairings, min blg, max blg, etc. You aren't able to knock out a full month on vacation. You work around your vacation that you could slide. Vacation takes up time from your monthly Blg or you get greedy and don't count it (much like our current secondary line holders).
The company would have no need for secondary lines as this is already worked in the process. This requires quite a few less pilots and is more efficient for the company.
As I've said, I've worked under this system. I've heard these horror stories about it. While I much prefer our current system, I'd listen to an offer. 20% raise? I don't know...
I have more issues with the pairings than anything else. They have really got worse over the last 10 years. PBS doesn't have to effect pairing design...