What biding apps are available?
 

Half winger here. So I have no pbs skills and am curious about what options are out there for bidding services, apps etc.

ALPA PBS hotline will get you going. On PBS there's a number at the top. I think that's it.

Eventually you'll figure it out, it's not that hard. Don't pay someone to bid for you. ALPA provides enough free resources.

Or...try paying a service and see if it does a better job than you can. I’ve been paying $50 a month for a service because it does do phenomenally better that I can. To me it’s worth it. Your results may vary, but don’t be afraid to try it out. You can always cancel it if you’re not happy.


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Honestly if it does "phenomenally" better than you can, you probably just don't know how to bid. Unless you're at the G-line and it's getting you weekends off with layovers in Shakira's bra, it's probably not worth $50/mo.

That being said Chalupa is right. Could always try it until you get the hang of it.

Look, Shakira’s bra is fine, but better layovers in those jeans. Those hips don’t lie. And I don’t need to pay to get those in my award.

Read the PBS manual. Takes 45 minutes, it’s free, and you’ll instantly be smarter than most of the guys you’re bidding against. Go to PBS, system documents tab.

Seniority at play, if you’re a new hire on the bottom rung of your BES the best bidding strategy in the world isn’t going to do much.

http://prefbid.com/ is also a great resource. It’s a private forum staffed by PBS volunteers, and a wealth of information. Chances are all your questions have already been asked and answered there.

Or throw $600/year at Bidnav, but it’s PBS solutions are too rudimentary for me.

Tutorial videos on flying together. PBS help line is also a great resource, especially to understand why you got what you did. I’ve looked at a couple guy’s bids done by the pay programs and would agree that they’re very generic solutions.

Prefbid.com is a great resource starting out. The generic bids they post are a good way to start. For a half winger (on reserve?) this is the simplest one, domestically. Add "must award HDO" to this as desired in the first bid group then remove them one by one in subsequent bid groups. Always end with a bid group that will not fail to prevent going to denial mode. From the site,

Welcome to PrefBid.com ? Login

Finally, an example of a reserve bid that preferences, in order, full weekends off, Saturdays off, and then Sundays off. This bid will not fail if the bidder is able to hold a reserve award.

1 AWARD RSV Sat 30Oct 00:00 - 29Nov 23:59 [L--]
2 AWARD RSV Sun 30Oct 00:00 - 29Nov 23:59 [L-]
3 AWARD RSV Mon 0000 - Fri 2359 30Oct 00:00 - 29Nov 23:59 [L]

Truth.

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Please share your bidding strategy. I want multi night layovers there at all cost. Even if I have to miss weekends, Christmas, anniversary, funerals, and kids birthdays. I'll even fly a Guppy to do it.