“Sniper mode” in bidding programs?
 

So after having this happen 3 separate times, I’ve concluded it’s not just coincidence. Here’s my scenario, a trip has been sitting in open time for a week or more, untouched. I ponder picking it up for days, then when I finally decide to pull the trigger on it, someone senior to me “All of a sudden” wanted it and gets it! So my question is this, is there a function in some of our bidding programs that will let you flag a trip for pickup but not pull the trigger for you, perhaps waiting for a better trip? Then when it sees someone else wanting to pick it up, will Snipe it for you? After having this happen on three different occasions, I’ve concluded it’s not just happenstance that some guy senior to me decided he wanted it on the exact seniority trip trade run I was set up for. So what does everyone know that I don’t?

Thanks for the input,

SNA320

What did the “desired by” list show?
Was this a straight pick up, or trade?

Bottom line, a more senior pilot wanted the trip.

Well, that’s just it...Not a single person on the “desired by” list - apparently until I wanted it. Straight pickup every time this happened.

It is actually possible to hide your pickup requests and trade desires from prying eyes. I don't know about the ability to purposely snipe trips, but it may actually be that someone put in a legitimate trade that you could not see. If you figure out how to snipe them... tell me how! ;)

If they aren’t using crew companion I don’t believe they show up in the desired list

Or the pilot doesn't have a life. Sits in front of computer and looks at the flt every 3 hours, before a run. Probably also hoping it will go premium. The second you appeared, he jumped on it.

Didn't want to believe it. But I think that may actually be what has been happening.

Hey I get it, you’d be paranoid too if everyone was out to get you.

Next time watch the clock too. Submit for it last possible min. If you still don’t get the trip then something is up.

That's the thing, if someone's pickups are hidden like I describe above, waiting until the last possible minute to submit your own pickup won't make a difference in the result. But, in the OP's case, I'll admit getting skunked three times does reek of possible foul play.

I suppose a theoretical trip sniper might set up Crew Companion alerts for "Pickup Requests" via the Filter function. Doing this might alert the sniper to the OP's request in time to put in his own pickup. I honestly don't know why anyone would bother with this particular alert, I get too many already. Maybe they figure they will be able to trade/drop the trip later if there is demand for it? I dunno, but I do know a PDR might get a definitive answer.

In all cases,

1. Have the trips been picked up by a more senior pilot?

If yes, there’s no stated cutoff time for pickups, and as pathetic as it may be To snipe as described, a pilot is within his right to exercise seniority in this way.

Ok, this could explain it. I didn’t realize there was a notification function that could alert you to someone putting in a pickup request. I dug into Crew Companion and could only find the notification for “trade requests” but that probably notifies someone that another pilot has a trade or pickup request for that particular trip. Looks like the only way to beat that is to put in for that trip at the last minute and hope the “snipers” don’t have time to snag it before you do. Thanks for the information CLazarus, very helpful!

SNA320

I see what you are saying for Notifications and I misspoke. I was looking at "Filter" at the top right of the Trade Board, which in retrospect only displays pickup requests on the Trade Board itself and I don't think would send out notifications for them (unless they fall within the Trade Board Trades category of Notifications). I dunno what to tell you, it would be a pain for a sniper to use the "Filter" function to spot new pickup requests but I suppose it is possible. I see some of the same names on the Trade Board all the time. Did you note who skunked you afterward? I know some of the senior Ninja traders by name now and try to anticipate their moves.

Preemptive note for Thor - I agree that if a senior bidder puts in a trade even a millisecond prior to a trade run they get the trade.

Yes we all applaud seniority and the senior pilot's rights.
We're talking about the discarded crumbs here that possibly a jr. pilot may entertain thinking about flying.:rolleyes:

I guess a real way to determine if there is a "sniper" program would be to pick up something in the real time window where it would be instantaneous. If you had a trip ripped out from underneath you, then I would suspect something is up.

The irony of this is that Crew Companion got its start as a bidding sniper program. Prior to a few years ago, trip pickups were awarded based on the time stamp of the request, not on Seniority. People used Crew Companion's aggressive pickup feature to spam pickup requests; if you didn't pay for Crew Companion, you always lost out to someone that was paying for it. What a web we weave ;) .