Scheduling
 

What is the procedure for scheduling and what software/programs do you use at your respective companies? We are looking to restructure the way we do it.

Thanks!

CTA/FOS for a large operation......

Google calendar/ipad/email for smaller, self dispatched. One person enters trips from the exec assistant, then everyone picks what they want. Once PIC is established he updates calendar with trip details for the rest to see. Easy enough for us as schedule is at least 6 months out with few changes.

Million ways to do it, the trick is not getting too complex. Complete access from iPhone/Blackberry was my only real requirement as I dont like to drag a laptop on shorter trips.

CEO's assistant (and our "scheduler") uses a paper calendar in her office to easily track trip requests & passengers; she gives that info to us and we put it in Fltplan.com and use their schedule calendar for flight crew use.

Works very similar to the Google Calendar method above, with viewing & editing access easy from a smartphone or iPad.

Schedule? What's that?

We use PFM (professional Flight Management) software. I like it pretty well.

Professional Flight Management Systems - Corporate Aviation Software

Try Bart at "www.seagil.com".. It's a fourth of the price of PFM.
As for procedures in place to actually schedule a trip, those are as varied as there are flight departments.
Each organization has to find what works for them. Hopefully the chief pilot has some experience and can work with management to figure this out.

Look at Airport Information - Codes - Search Works well and easy to use. Compatible with an iphone - but not with a Blackberry.

bidding
 

Does anyone have software for bidding crew schedules etc.

Thats where you go to work at 9am - go home at 5pm and enjoy a 1/2 hour lunch somewhere in the middle.

Oh! and you have weekends off!

What kind of fiction are you peddlin' here, buddy?!? :D