Originally Posted by
BCan
First time going through an IQ from my initial aircraft...some bidding questions based on my PWA/forum reading.
I start IQ on Feb 5th, runs through end of Feb, PBS has my pro-rated credit at 65:25. PBS has the lower LCW at 70:30 for my current category.
Questions:
1) Since I’m 5 hours short of the LCW, I need to bid for the first 5 days of the bid period?
2) Any reason/benefit to bid a line vs. reserve?
3) I’d prefer to have those first 5 days off, and I do have the optional 2 days off per the contract - so I’m really on the hook for the first 3 days...could I bid reserve and request x-days?
I’m perplexed/surprised that my PBS calendar is full from the 5th onward - yet my PWA interpretation is that I need to bid/work...am I missing something?
Thanks for the help!
If you bid reserve I believe you would only get the X-days specified in the X-Day Proration Table in the bid package (or PWA 12N or PBS bid info screen). With 5 days available it looks like only 2 X-days will be due, and I suppose they'd be placed in front of IQ since you elected that option. So I think you'd be stuck with reserve on the first 3 days. However, is your category ATLM88B? That's the only category I saw with that exact Low LCW and the bid package table shows that category gets an extra X-day next bid period. That would get you down to just two reserve days.
Are there a lot of <4 day trips in the bid package that would fit your schedule? Are they the types of trips usually still available at your seniority? If not a Reduced Lower Limit line bid might work. Otherwise try to get something good in the first 3 days and swap board drop, PD, APD, IVD, etc. after the line awards.