It only works great if managed correctly and who ever administers it keeps as many options open as possible. PBS would be a huge pain in the a$$ at Atlas. In the wrong hands, PBS will kill any QOL you might have.

Atlas had PBS for years, there is no need to treat it like a theoretical issue. Been there, done that and everyone hired before 2011 has the tee shirt.

PBS worked well for many, not so well for some. The company's position was, as I understand it, that they didn't care if we went with PBS or lines. We went with lines.

PBS worked brilliantly as long as one understood how to bid. As the new guy on the block I was able for my first 2 1/2 years to get my days off all in one chunk when I wanted them. Now with line bidding... not so much. From my standpoint the change was a huge snafu.

We went with Line Bidding because the Polar group had line bidding...at least, that is how the current CBA was negotiated.

I would add to it by saying...

Everything Atlas does is driven by cost analysis, even to the extent that they will violate our CBA...been there, seen it, and so have you...if you don't like it, you can grieve it!!

That said, if it means saving a buck, PBS will be back in a flash...and I believe AIMS can still stay because all the departments feed information into it. PBS is just a bidding module that can be reinstalled, if we/they decide in its favor.

Fr those not familiar, can you please tell me what PBS stands for and what it is.

Preferential bidding system

Basically instead of line bidding you put in preferences for your schedule aka weekends off, all out n backs, long trips with days off stacked, specific days off, etc. and the computer builds you a line based on seniority and tries to honor those preferences

Scheduling systems are just that, a vehicle to apply the rules one negotiates. GIGO.

While the set of rules we have are SIMILAR, to Polar, the minor, minor differences have caused profound differences to bidding. Same with vacation.

Proper rules negate the type of system used.

Thanks for the reply. I've begun wondering why the line bid system even has detonations? It seems it would be steer to just put in day SPF work without locations. Eems fruitless to put in on when we all know it will be a complete change after day 2.