Originally Posted by dojetdriver

Oh boy, a lot to explain here.

With line bidding (like at XJT), as opposed to PBS (preferential bid system) all the schedules are published. Days working, days off, pay credit, time away from base. Pilots pick the schedules they want, and they are awarded in seniority order. Guy number 1 gets his first pick. Now bear in mind, not EVERY pilot wants the same thing. Just because the number 1 line of flying has a lot days off, it may be working weekends, not much pay, crappy trips, etc. With line bidding, EVEN if you are the bottom guy, you will know before the schedules are awarded what the worst case scenario will be, as you had the chance to look at EVERY schedule that was available. Now, maybe some guy has vacation, so the 1,2,3 trips he had fall into open time. Maybe another guy has to do recurrent training, his trips fall into open time. A guys has a conflict from month to month. In other words, he was working the last 4 days of the month, and is supposed to work the first 4 days of the next month. Can't happen, for one, can't do 7 days in a row (per contract), also run into 30/7 issues. So some of that flying will fall into open time. Open time meaning the flying is now uncovered. Imagine if you have 500 pilots a month in one domicile how many open trips this creates.

Now, ILIW, or just LIW stands for Line Improvement Window. If you look at your schedule, and your flying/trips are not what you wanted, this is the chance to trade them out for the stuff that fell into open time. Now, again, imagine if you have 500+ pilots, there is a lot of open time generated. Again, one mans trash can be another mans treasure. All the open time is compiled and put into a pool to see. The LIW (at XJT) is a 24 hour window where we are able to trade our trips for open time for something that is more to our liking. You can also pick up flying for additional money as well. Even being number 350-400 out of 500 in IAH, I could ALWAYS trade my non commutable 4 day trips for 4 day commutable trips just by clicking the mouse. Also, that 24 hour window is VERY fluid. Also, if certain criteria is met and you are savvy enough, you can drop flying as well as move you days off around. If you look at the pool and there is nothing in there to your liking, just come back later. Guys are trading in the window for the entire 24 hour period. Don't like what you see, come back a while later. A guy may have dumped his stuff in there that is no good to him, but is good for you.

Now, PBS, WHOLE DIFFERENT BALL OF WAX. PBS is a system where you basically tell the computer what you want. Weekends off, max flying, XYZ overnights, 4 day trips that show before whatever time and end before whatever time. The problem being, it has more to do with the flexibility of the system as well as the parameters that are set by the company and the pilot group. If for some reason the computer can't match your criteria, you might get a complete dog do do schedule. Also, PBS prevents conflicts. It won't let you bid a month to month conflict, nor does it help out trip touch to score time off for vacation. Also, since the system does whatever it can to eliminate conflicts, there is less open time to trade with during a LIW. If you got a crappy schedule, you might just be stuck with. Again, it depends on the how the software is programmed and the parameters set by the pilots/company. Some airlines did a relatively good job, and the pilots say they would never want to go back to the line bid system. Others, like CAL, can't stand how their PBS system was implemented and long for the days when they might be able to go back to line bidding. Also, CAL's system bypasses seniority to meet certain criteria.Like balancing out the flying from top to bottom. Giving a junior guy some trips that senior guy wanted just to make it even top to bottom. Line bidding strictly honors seniority.

PBS is a HUGE money saver for the company. It allows for lower staffing levels. In other words, less pilots required to cover the flying.

Originally Posted by ToiletDuck

CAL also uses a different business model where they want to make the max lines possible so they aren't required to "properly" staff the airliner. Like he said PBS is a dog of a program that is only useful once you've become it's master.

Originally Posted by Slice

Regional vs Major...if not picking up the tab would you rather eat at Sizzler or Ruth's Chris? That about sums it up.

Originally Posted by dojetdriver

I guess it depends. Not everybody is as lucky as you to get hired where you did. Where do you think even a second year narrow body FO at CAL, UAL, NW, USAir is going to eat vs. you?

Yeah, I know your first year pay sucks too, but it's easier to catch up at $100/hr+ on second year than it is at $50ish an hour second year at some pax carriers.

Of course I want to go to a major. The sad part is, if I was to be hired right now, it's 3 years just to catch up on the hourly rate at most places. That's assuming I was strictly interested in QOL and not chasing money. Thats not counting the loss I'll take from a reduced 401K/IRA contribution and what that will add up to at retirement. Of course, things are slated to change, but with the age 65 and merger buzz going on, who knows what will happen?

Originally Posted by Slice

I'm thankful to be where I am right now but in general the QOL will be better at any major in terms of work rules and long term compensation or the potential of it anyway.

Originally Posted by 130flyer

Are the reserve times similar between regional and major. I've heard anywhere from 2 hr to 9 hr callouts. That's the difference between having to get a crashpad or not since I can drive to my desired airlines hub.