Quote:
You know this? How?Originally Posted by UnusualAttitude
I know the old system was essentially human form PBS at least a trained human with knowledge of the operation looked at the solution and made an attempt to be somewhat cognizant of the requirements for some schedule consistency.
The old system used a computer algorithm just like this new one. Each pilot's bid took a total of 1000 points and assigned those points in a weighted method according to his inputs. The more inputs, the less point per input and the more watered down each input became. Depending on the inputs, a combination of multiple lower priority inputs could overpower the number one input and produce an undesired schedule. That's why folks might sometimes get a trip over the number one choice days off input - it met 3 or 4 of their lower priorities and the points added up to more than what the number one input was worth.
In addition, under the old system when the secondary window closed, the bid was run immediately and a snap shot was taken. This effectively became the final we would see the following Wed night. The only thing that might change an individual pilot's results was BLAs he made to his schedules in the interim. For example, #1 secondary guy asks for pairing 2300 as his number one choice and gets it during the snap shot run. #2 secondary guy wants pairing 2300 too but obviously doesn't get it. He gets 2301 which is his second choice.
Now, over the weekend, #1 secondary guy picks up a make up trip that makes him illegal for pairing 2300. Because of the snap shot method, #2 secondary guy keeps pairing 2301 and the now freed up pairing 2300 goes to .... wait for it..... no one. It stays in open time until trip trading opens because the old system wasn't flexible enough to re-run the process and give that trip to someone else who asked for it.
I know this after spending a long time on multiple occasions on the phone and via email with Michelle V and the much maligned Michael S. So, anyone who thinks the old system had common sense, human oversight in the mix as the secondary lines were built is probably not aware of the above.
I'm not saying this new system is going to be the slightest bit better. But, it's simply not true to suggest that the old secondary system had any control over purity, consistency or fatigue mitigation beyond what the pilot himself attempted to get in his schedule by his own inputs.