And the standard point would be used;

Line bidding sucked the way ASA used to do it. So prefbiddig is better than what was used before.

However, just like many XJT pilots don't know about flightline, an vast majority of ASA pilots DON'T know about the line bid work rules on the ERJ side.

 

AdOpt sorts the lines for us, if you want to use that feature.

 

A lot of people on here keep mentioning that most to 100% of L-ASA pilots would chose PBS over Line-Bidding hands down. That's a really interesting perspective. I think it's a bit misleading and would like to mention to anyone on the outside looking in that my perspective is completely different.

I look around at many different areas of the company including many that don't have anything to do with me. It's nice to build a realistic overall view opposed to the narrow selective view that it would appear many portray here. People say the word "most" and "every" with a lot of conviction. I can't say that "every" one I speak to likes PBS over line-bidding because I haven't spoken to "every" one. However, the majority that I have spoken to (about 200-300 FO's and junior captains) wish they could go back to the old way of bidding. Just because it works for you and the guy next to you in seniority doesn't mean it works for "most" or "100%" of the group.

Just wanted to clarify that.

 

Sorting lines isn't enough. You still have to make decisions/compromises about which pre-built line best meets your needs. Bidding on the pairings allows you to build the optimum schedule for you with the remaining available pairings.

 

Wow, I haven't met a single person that said they want to go back to what we used to have.

 

To clarify even further....I dont agree with you at all. When i say MOST i mean MOST pilots i talk to or fly with like PBS way better than our old way. Am I speaking about ALL....nope. But I cant even think of one person that does not like our current PBS system.

I am not saying it is the end all be all. However I am saying that compared to our old line bidding system...this is better hands down. Just pure fact that you can have such a customized schedule to what you want, sells it for me. Did i get 8 days off in a row with line bidding....heck no. It mixes things up to the point that line bidding just did not provide.

Just my two cents, as i am sure the next poster will have his/hers. I think most people here at L-ASA are happy with pbs, but would like to see some of the work rules, trading, and loop holes improved. Which all really has to do with the contract and not the bidding system.

 

It isn't too different from what we had before except your trip trading rules are much more liberal. Close enough? Oh yeah, you have add pay for picking up during vacation where you've conflicted out a couple of other trips and bad day, worse day. We know very well about conflict bidding. It's how we are able to extend vacations with Flightline as well. SmartPref will not allow this sort of conflict if you are constrained.

Constraints in a tough month could get into the upper echelons very easily with SmartPref system. The hype is work rules can change this. Problem is that if you write rules for this and restrict it, there is no resolution for this if a large stack occurs except to let it go higher. (Basically waive rules you've fought for) There is NO safety valve except higher global constraints. Just because you can see it doesn't make it suck any less.

 

Do we work for the same airline?????? In the last 2 years I have met maybe 2 or 3 people that want to go back to line bidding at ASA. Being able to pick the pairing you want, layovers you want, report time you want, and day you want each week is priceless (yes even if you have to work weekends you still get selection with Thursday through Saturday starts, I'm not just talking for the senior people). In all honesty the 2 or 3 I have ran into that didn't like PBS were because they didn't take the time to learn it or ask questions. As a matter of fact, all 3 of them thought vacation low built their schedule to 65 hours, when in fact it tries to build it to 75 and is ok with finishing it at 65 as long as you conflict accordingly. (still a confusing concept for some). So, they were mostly mad at the fact they got more than 8 days of work in a vacation month which was due to their own lack of understanding how it works.

 

I don't know about this. Out of hundreds of ASA folks I've spoke with, I would estimate 2-5 expressed displeasure to the extent of going back to line bidding. Afterburn81 for some reason is embarrassed by his pilot group and has been trying to distance himself since this merger started.

 

Can you honestly say that you are proud of each and every guy that you work with? That the pilot group you work with is doing everything possible with a great deal of professionalism, maturity and plain old respect to see to it that this merger results in a fair unity?

I separate myself from people (no matter who they work for) that are knowingly, and willfully fighting the grain on this merger. I'm talking about selfish inconsiderate egotistical people. You know they are out there. You know they are a large part of the problem. If you can't see this then I really feel for you man. I do. I also apologize for being embarrassed by people like that.

I take pride in what I do. I'd like to think I do it well. But I'm only one person that should be unified amongst many others with the same desires and pride. However that is not the case. And now more than ever it's evident that selfish people are ruining this industry. Maybe you should open your eyes a little. There's a lot going on out there. But maybe you don't want to know. After all, ignorance is bliss.......