We went with Line Bidding because the Polar group had line bidding...at least, that is how the current CBA was negotiated.

I would add to it by saying...

Everything Atlas does is driven by cost analysis, even to the extent that they will violate our CBA...been there, seen it, and so have you...if you don't like it, you can grieve it!!

That said, if it means saving a buck, PBS will be back in a flash...and I believe AIMS can still stay because all the departments feed information into it. PBS is just a bidding module that can be reinstalled, if we/they decide in its favor.

Fr those not familiar, can you please tell me what PBS stands for and what it is.

Preferential bidding system

Basically instead of line bidding you put in preferences for your schedule aka weekends off, all out n backs, long trips with days off stacked, specific days off, etc. and the computer builds you a line based on seniority and tries to honor those preferences

Scheduling systems are just that, a vehicle to apply the rules one negotiates. GIGO.

While the set of rules we have are SIMILAR, to Polar, the minor, minor differences have caused profound differences to bidding. Same with vacation.

Proper rules negate the type of system used.

Thanks for the reply. I've begun wondering why the line bid system even has detonations? It seems it would be steer to just put in day SPF work without locations. Eems fruitless to put in on when we all know it will be a complete change after day 2.

I've seen fairly stable schedules over the last 9-months on the light twin. (N=1, YMMV.)

I can't speak for everyone but I was much happier with the old pref bidding system, mostly because I could work a 30 on/30 off type schedule. That's pretty much impossible now for someone with my seniority. Dealing with gateway travel and starting/ending patterns 4-6 times per month is much worse than just doing it once a month in my opinion. I realize I am probably in the minority and that most people don't like the really long trips, but I loved this place when I could get home and know that I wouldn't have to think about work again for a solid month. Conversely, when I was at work, after about 2 weeks the trip length didn't seem to bother me at all. At about the 15 day mark you just kind of accept that you're living at work full time for awhile and it becomes routine, in my experience.

Basically, with pref bidding you could bid for individual trips and it was esay to back a 17 day pattern up to another 17 day pattern the following month. Now, you pretty much need to be able to hold 30 day lines for that to happen, and 30 day lines tend to go very senior (at least half of the lines seem to be 60 day lines, and almost all of the 60 day lines have 3 - 4 patterns of different lenghts, not 2 long ones).

To Atlas/Polar Pilots,

I am seeking information about hiring and the company, I am a AK resident and want to keep it that way so looking at companies with ANC bases. Is it difficult to hold the ANC base? Do you for see any hiring in 2014, if so what does Atlas look for in pilots? I am currently a chief pilot for a 135 company with 5000+ hours but only a little less then 1000 hours turbine time. Any other information you might have would be helpfully would be greatly appreciated as well.

Thanks