There are pilot groups out there that like PBS. But there are also others were it did not work.

The only way it would work is if the PBS software was “unaware” of vacation awards. In other words, everyone bids on PBS, the pairings and lines are generated, and then the vacation drops are added.

It’s still a net win for the company because they can manage training, monthly integration and other known absences.

The only way the pilot group could trust this is if the Union was given the same PBS software and the same preference bids the company receives, and runs the software in parallel with the company. Both the company and the union should get the same result.

Also, the PBS software the company purchases is very important. There is some cheap stuff out there that just doesn’t work. ALPA National should be well versed on this topic.

Just my thoughts from my previous carriers where we implemented PBS.