Looking for bidding tips for vacation months. I'm lucky enough to have two weeks next month (12th-25th). Seems like reserve might be the way to go. I'd really like to not work at all, but maybe set myself up for one nice juicy GS. I'm a commuter, sitting about 50% in category. Looking for suggestions.

 

You already know that 14 vacation days do not equate 1:1 with reserve days off? Also, reserve greenslips do not pay 2x. You can ramp up your pay nicely on reserve with vacation, but it's no "vacation" depending on category and staffing. Use the reserve calculator on PBS info page to get an idea of the reserve day obligation and credit (ALV needs to be known first). I also have two June weeks of vacation. I'm going block all they way. My plan is work early (40-ish hours, hopefully a single 6 or 7 day international rotation), slide vacation to abut last work day. All set for Greenslip action in the last 8-10 days of the month. If you become pessimistic regarding your ability to score a GS, you can always whiteslip due to a high max pickup with your vacation credit. Pretty simple, but effective. Upside earning potential is high, while still guaranteeing "me time," which is a roll of the dice on reserve.

 

Every category has different dynamics which can greatly vary what works best. Here are two basic strategies that you can consider. Good luck.

What strategy you choose should depend mainly on manning and coverage in your category - how many GS's do you expect?

Strategy A - bid all weekends off if not that many GSs go out. Since most GSs go out on the weekend this should maximize your GS opportunity.

Strategy B - bid all of your X days consecutively either in the very beginning (works better if you are senior) or at the end of the month (works better if you are junior).

Bidding x days at the beginning can enable rolling thunder. However the first GS will go to the senior guys.

Bidding x days at the end should put you higher up the list, after the senior guys have scored GS #1) and also enable you to get PB days vice rolling thunder. I prefer PB days since each day can be used to drop a 8 hour turn down the road. Once again this is category dependent - if your category does not have adequate coverage you may not be able to use the PB day to its fullest advantage.

Scoop