run the reserve line calculator (in scheduling tools or johnfbell.com) and find out what reserve will pay, then decide what you desire.

personally I almost always bud reserve in vacation months

If money is your top priority, bid a line.You will be able to WS more. (VACA is not "Credit" once the line is awarded.)

If more pay for less work is your top priority, bid RES. If it's a high ALV and your primary vacation, you could be awarded a RES line that pays 87-ish hours off the bat.

Use the link OOfff provided.

what difference does PVAC vs other vacations make?

None once awarded...other than the 1st 14 days being paid at the higher vaycay rate of 3+45/day.

IIRC, Vacation behind you (earlier in the month) also counts towards your RAW score, reducing likelihood in most categories of being used on reserve later in the month.

that makes sense, thanks

Good grief, it’s like reading a different language when I look back over the last several posts. I sure hope this all makes sense at some point.

You pick it up a little at a time. Having to get through IQ whilst also figuring out PBS and Section 23 of the PWA and SRH is a special kind of pain.

Thanks for the link! Forgot we had that calculator.

Unfortunately, most people get absolutely hammered by PBS a few times before they catch on. May the odds be ever in your favor.