Tuck

You can't get the bidpacks any earlier. The company and PSIT need every day available to build the lines (cold build every month for intl) and then review. Talk to anyone in the PSIT and you'll see what sort of tight timeline they have.

I think the new system is great. There is plenty of time to get your bid in. If you're flying domestic then you can easily pick up a paper copy. If you're flying intl then you will certainly have a few long layovers with ample time to review on line. Don't have a laptop? Wake up - it's 2007 do you want to function in this century or remain a relic of the past? I have no sympathy.

PurpleFreight

Wow.......

RedeyeAV8r

[QUOTE=Tuck;130944]You can't get the bidpacks any earlier. The company and PSIT need every day available to build the lines (cold build every month for intl) and then review. Talk to anyone in the PSIT and you'll see what sort of tight timeline they have.

I think the new system is great. There is plenty of time to get your bid in. If you're flying domestic then you can easily pick up a paper copy. If you're flying intl then you will certainly have a few long layovers with ample time to review on line. Don't have a laptop? Wake up - it's 2007 do you want to function in this century or remain a relic of the past? I have no sympathy.[/QUOTE]

What Intl pairings with long layovers are you referring to?

There are a few, but the majority have 24 or less some down to 14.

I flew a 11 day around the world last month. It had 1 layover of 36. The rest were all less than 24.

As far as the Laptop is concerned, if the company buys me one, I'll carry it!

Shuckers86

I actually live in JAX. I'm still in shock I got the bid pack today. I have a week long pairing next week and I was afraid I was going to have to steal the F/Os bid pack when he wasn't looking.

Shuckers86

Hey Tuck, Are you being a little harsh? I still don't think doing the bid on the laptop is as good or as easy. And I even made through the 11 and the Bus schools on the 1st try.

Purple F/O

As a side note, what do they mean by this in the Sig notes:

"Should you encounter difficulties making your scheduled Southwest DH utilizing normal trip check-in procedures and times"

RedeyeAV8r

What do you think they mean? You folks need to start reading between the lines. SWA has no assigned seating, no 1st class. SWA especially out of LAX can have a security line halfway to Terminal 2. OAK is almost as bad, If one checks in right "On time" one might miss his/her DH. If this happens often enough, the company just might see fit to schedule another carrier better suited for our schedules.

No offense to SWA, but after flying a long "Redeye" (no pun intended) from ANC, EWR or HNL to a Same duty Deadhead, the last I need is to fight the Cattle Call on SWA.

SC-7

It's a little harsh.



It's all what you're used to. I like the laptop -- dealing with all the paper is a pain in the ass (for me).

LivintheDream

I like the Bid fast software. It helps me work through the bidpack faster and smarter. If we had a more sophisticated sorting program it would almost eliminate the need for the paper bidpack. This is not a jab at Bidfast, as I could never have even come close to writing that, but a view from someone who has seen other, more sophisticated programs at other airlines. Of course it doesn't help those who don't carry a laptop with them.

PS. We have int'l trips here longer than 6 days?

Tuck

You're right - I was being harsh.

I think having the primary bid close earlier is better. The view/add window works great for VTOs since you can really see what is avail rather than the old system. As far as intl with long layovers - been flying almost exclusive intl for the past 2 years and I have yet to have a trip with any layovers less than 17 hrs and each trip has at least one layover over 24hrs with the average layovers being about 24 hrs each. I mean how much time do you need? I'm all for long layovers but please - if you have 24 hrs off and you remove all the necessities for sleep, meals, GT, workout you still end up with a pretty good amount of dead time. The laptop - sorry it is an expectation today. Do you think the company should pay for your internet access from home so you can easily access VIPS via the web? Should they pay for your cell phone so you can get alerted on reserve? Guys in our job flying intl should have a laptop - tell you what - save up a bit of that per diem on your next week long pairing and go out and buy a cheap laptop with full internet access from Walmart for $350 - you can write it off too!