at Republic we just switched to Flica for PBS
1. i bid about 50% in base, and i've gotten everything i wanted the last 2 months. most guys get what they want, other than those that bid way above their seniority or the ones that don't ask for help with the new system.
2. i get about 14 days off but it's actually more since most of the trips i fly end after midnight so it looks like a day of work.
3. we get 7 days (mon-sun) for vacation, but it can vary how many you get off. bid the first 2 weeks of Sept. last year and ended with 28 days off in a row.
4. i bid for Fri & Sat off, and 3-4 day trips rarely do i not get what i want.
5. i much prefer PBS to line bidding as you can make the schedule you want. having a little one in a few months, and after that i'll want 3-4 day trips starting on Saturday so we can keep the babysitter costs down. with line bidding that will be up to the crew planners. PBS means i can pick the trips so i'm not going to work at 5am or getting home at 11pm.