So, said another way....for simplicity. It's the SOLUTION first, and SENIORITY second.

It's not a PREFERENTIAL bidding system. Well, it does allow you to enter your preferences. But, as a former CAL pilot, I've seen the number 1 Captain in a base NOT get what he wanted. He entered his preferences, but that's about it.

Very surprised the UAL MEC let this stand in the joint contract.

It should be called PBS for (Pilots Butts in Seat). Because that's really what the system is designed to do.

It is a known absence de-confliction system. That's what it does. It drives the solution to minimize staffing (reserve) pilot requirements.

I think pre PBS CAL had roughly 4400 pilots. After PBS, CAL attrited about 400 pilots and thus minimized their manpower requirements and eliminated the contractural min reserve 10% number.

Rick Muir, Jackson Martin, and Tom Stivala and Zullo did a marvelous job in selling this and pushing down the pilots throats....Look at these real men of genius today. Just look and admire.

If you get PBS'd it is what it is. Your seniority is only really guaranteed during:

Vacancy bid
Displacement bid
Furlough
Vacation bid

But, your monthly day-to-day schedule/lifestyle/quality of life/paycheck doesn't seem to matter as much as the other events mentioned above that happen on a much rare frequency.


It would be nice to get our seniority back in this next contract.