Does anyone know if when you are submitting a VTO request and the request runs long because it won't fit on one line, for example:

1. trip xxx/xxdec, trip xxx/xxdec, trip xxx
2. /xxdec

Is that all interpreted as preference number one, or does that request get knocked out because it no longer is in the proper format. Who can you call with questions on VTO's? Thanks in advance.

 

Line 1 is your first choice.
Line 2 is your second choice, no combining.

To make more fit, use xxx/xxdec, xxx/xxdec (don't type in "trip")

Call Futures scheduling with questions. They have NEVER answered the phone for me, but usually call back in a day or two if I leave a message. (Follow the prompts from the normal scheduling phone tree.)

VTOs are easier to request than m/u during the view/add window. You can put down specific trips, combined with general requests with VTOs. With m/u, once your choice is taken, you're done. (I think this is right... Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but that's my experience.)

 

I would submit that you are wrong. It just takes more time to get a good CIC line. Last month I put in over 200 choices.

The problem is you ask for A, B, C, if c is not available you get nothing.
Therefore you need to do this:

A,B,C
A,B,D
A,B,E

You can also go submit and go back in and continue where you left off, but if you want to insert a line you are hosed, you will need to start over from that line. Cut and Paste is very helpful during this process.

 

man that takes a long time doing a CIC. I've started just putting my choices in order. If I get #1 and #2 is still around I get that one too, if not it looks at #3 and so on. They will keep adding trips until you run out of time. I'm sure you might do better spending days choosing another way, but it's way too much trouble. Putting multiple trips on a single line kills it... a lot of the time.

Of course the post was about VTOs and if you used two line to make one request how they'd handle it. On that I don't have a clue.

 

i did the

A,B,C
A,B,D
A,B,E
and so on...

one time for my VTO request. I got a nasty-gram from MS (futures guy in ANC) email stating that wasn't a valid way of inputting requests - so many "redundant" trips - and the computer wouldn't accept that format - and NOT to do it that way in the future.

however you end up inputting it, bleeding over onto the next line will be considered a separate request.

I was also told that if you put A,B,C on a single line (request) and the computer can give you only B, it considers that it has "fully honored" your first choice (even though it only gave you 1 out of the 3 you asked for)

bottom line is VTO requests are just that - requests - don't hold your breath.

the monthly M/U bid is a totally different animal. I believe they keep giving you trips until you reach the total number of hours you asked to make up, or you run out of request lines - whichever occurs first. They don't stop once they award you one trip (or one line request)

 

That is an ANC problem, not a MEM problem.

 

One of many in the ANC VTO bidding process.

 

For clarification, CIC bidding is different than VTO bidding. CIC is trip(s) specific only, and often requires numerous choices for just the reason you stated.

 

It's less of a problem if you request the OPPOSITE of what you really want for your secondary line.

I'm serious.

If we could get that guy transferred to Guangzhou, I'd throw a party. Free beer for all!!!

 

I was once advised by one of the futures guys to first put in what you don't want, i.e. no night hub turns, etc. Then put in what days off you want. And finally, put in what trips you do want.
I try not to bid secondaries because I don't like the uncertainty, but the above method has worked pretty well for me in the past.