Falconjet

Looks like I might get a secondary line next month for the first time ever. Was wondering if anybody would share their strategy for putting in their requests during the build process.

I would like to avoid critical and am not a commuter. I have only bid the first 5 secondary lines, will take my chances with B reserve after that. My first thought is to just put avoid critical in line 1 and then go for days off. Is there a better chance just trying to put in the trips that I would prefer?

I have searched the forum and there is some disagreement on how the secondaries are built, but would like some updated opinions if anybody is willing to share their ideas on how to get a decent secondary line.

Thanks.

MaydayMark

Your avatar doesn't show what airplane you are on? My "futures scheduler" assigns Secondary lines in seniority order (let's say you bid #1-5 VTO lines and someone senior to you bids VTO lines #6-10 ... you both get your VTO choices. She builds the senior guys first even though he bid and received a higher number VTO line!*?). She also says she "tries" to honor your first choice if she possibly can?

Usually she does a fine job, occasionally you get hosed (I've had them tell me, "It's called a VTO request.")

And ... I've NEVER received RB on my VTO line, only RA.

2cylinderdriver

go into VIPS and search "secondary line input" there is a document on how to submit your "preferences". KISS principle and avoid conflicting preferences will always help your result. A little seniority helps.

It is a good document (on how to use the Company defined system that is)

MEMA300

At other airlines they build VTO lines after the regular lines are assigned. Then the people who bid VTO lines bid on those VTO lines so they can actually see what the VTO line contains.

KnightFlyer

VTOs are built in seniority order.

If they have to give you R days, they will always be RA (same w custom line).

Unknown Rider

1. Secondary lines shall be constructed in numerical order following the processing of conflicts on regular lines, the assignment of trips for training and bid period processing as described in Section 25.E.

Also I have seen RB given on both secondary lines and custom lines. In fact, some guys finishing Airbus training in November were given some RB days on their custom lines this december.

KnightFlyer

That's good to hear. Several at CRS said RA is all they put on those type of lines. I guess they'll do whatever they need; maybe it's a peak thing.

Unknown Rider

I think that is what usually happens, but occasionally they'll give RB. It was changed in the last contract to start building VTOs in numerical order vice seniority.

Nitefrater

if you're senior enough to hold one of the top 5 VTO lines, you should be able to build a schedule with trips that work for you. If you get B reserve, make sure you select "no" on reserve conversion. I've seen a B-reserve line get converted to VTO, then awarded A-reserve blocks when the VTOs are built. Then again, once you have blocks of R-days, they can (and will) switch it to whatever they damn well please with 12 hours notice, so it's kinda moot.

golfandfly

Not quite. I'm not sure if this is real clear, but VTO's are built by numerical order. IE, line 5101 gets built first, 5102 next, etc. I forgot to bid one month and was awarded a secondary (VTO) line. I had the very last one that month. People that were junior and had a lower number VTO got their bid processed before mine. This was changed on our last contract, they used to be built strictly by seniority.

Probably not pertinent for Falconjet, but hopefully someone will learn from my stupidity and not make the same mistake...

Honestly, I have had poor luck with VTOs and don't bid them anymore. They seem to go out of their way to NOT honor your requests. Obviously they've worked for some people, but there is almost no contractual guidance regarding VTOs so they can sort of do what they want... Just my experience...