CJO on day 1 of SWA training...
02-21-2024 | 07:26 AM
#91
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,638
Likes: 293
It's not only the rules/contract that matter with PBS (you could theoretically have vacation conflict with PBS, you just have to negotiate it in your contract), but also the software you use.
For example, SkyWest's PBS software is terrible, while Navblue is pretty great. Just that difference alone gives you way more power to build your schedule how you want it, before even factoring in the differences in the rules that govern them.
I would hate, HATE to go back to line bidding. If I wanted to switch companies (I don't), lack of PBS might well be a deal breaker.
For example, SkyWest's PBS software is terrible, while Navblue is pretty great. Just that difference alone gives you way more power to build your schedule how you want it, before even factoring in the differences in the rules that govern them.
I would hate, HATE to go back to line bidding. If I wanted to switch companies (I don't), lack of PBS might well be a deal breaker.
02-21-2024 | 08:48 AM
#92
Line Holder
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 883
Likes: 232
I think it's all what you prefer and how you work the contract to make it work best for you. We used Flica, which seemed fine but the parameters were skewed way towards mgt so it was basically worthless. Union didn't have any teeth to fight it so garbage in....garbage out. PBS is such a boogeyman that it'll never happen at SWA....the only reason the company would want it is to eliminate the VA conflict bidding which is a no-go.
PBS allows you to get a schedule customized for your desires (subject to seniority of course). I can put 10 days off in a row wherever I want them, fly the trips that I want, and never have to worry about swapping them out or picking anything up unless I want to. I was even able to do that, for the most part, bidding 70-80%. That, of course, depends on the rules governing it.
You also need to know how to use it, but that's a whole different thing.
02-21-2024 | 09:17 AM
#93
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,638
Likes: 293
PBS or not isn't going to affect garbage in. Crappy pairings are crappy pairings whether they're arranged by PBS or built into lines.
PBS allows you to get a schedule customized for your desires (subject to seniority of course). I can put 10 days off in a row wherever I want them, fly the trips that I want, and never have to worry about swapping them out or picking anything up unless I want to. I was even able to do that, for the most part, bidding 70-80%. That, of course, depends on the rules governing it.
You also need to know how to use it, but that's a whole different thing.
PBS allows you to get a schedule customized for your desires (subject to seniority of course). I can put 10 days off in a row wherever I want them, fly the trips that I want, and never have to worry about swapping them out or picking anything up unless I want to. I was even able to do that, for the most part, bidding 70-80%. That, of course, depends on the rules governing it.
You also need to know how to use it, but that's a whole different thing.
02-21-2024 | 09:23 AM
#94
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,416
Likes: 119
From: Window seat
Working at a training center can have you home every day but being a line pilot gives you more days off.
02-21-2024 | 09:47 AM
#95
Line Holder
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
I don’t have a dog in the fight but I’ve seen it mentioned that united has hired over 6K pilots since the pandemic. All of the future retirement replacements have been hired and assuming growth, which not guaranteed things always happen. At the moment anyone going to united will not be at the front of the wave but the back of the wave. Depending on age it can still be a decent move but overall first world problems.
02-21-2024 | 10:37 AM
#96
Line Holder
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,631
Likes: 80
I don’t have a dog in the fight but I’ve seen it mentioned that united has hired over 6K pilots since the pandemic. All of the future retirement replacements have been hired and assuming growth, which not guaranteed things always happen. At the moment anyone going to united will not be at the front of the wave but the back of the wave. Depending on age it can still be a decent move but overall first world problems.
02-21-2024 | 11:01 AM
#97
off weekends (if Reserve)
Joined: May 2023
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 95
I don’t have a dog in the fight but I’ve seen it mentioned that united has hired over 6K pilots since the pandemic. All of the future retirement replacements have been hired and assuming growth, which not guaranteed things always happen. At the moment anyone going to united will not be at the front of the wave but the back of the wave. Depending on age it can still be a decent move but overall first world problems.
Right, assuming we stopped hiring like RIGHT now and never resumed.
02-21-2024 | 11:22 AM
#98
Line Holder
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Been flying 121 for over a decade now and I’ve been lied to many times thought the years. Correct me if I’m wrong but didn’t Kirby say that by 2018 united would be the largest and also by summer 2022? Very ambitious plans I have many friend there and I wish them the best but those numbers seem planned as if a black swan event will never ever happen again. I’d hate to be the last few thousand hired out of the 28K Kirby wants.
02-21-2024 | 11:44 AM
#99
Gets Weekends Off
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
I think with the new contract the whole “earn millions less” at Southwest isn’t really true. I ran the numbers for myself based on min credit. 36 year career. Upgrade at WN in 6 years. Upgrade to NB CA at UA year 2, and WB CA the last 10 years of my career (optimistically). Total career earnings were within a couple hundred thousand.
The whole “quick upgrade” at UA is a bit overblown too in my opinion. On 3rd year FO pay, if I worked 18 days a month I could probably credit 105-110. Compared to a reserve CA at UA, I could probably come within 2-3k of what they earn.
The whole “quick upgrade” at UA is a bit overblown too in my opinion. On 3rd year FO pay, if I worked 18 days a month I could probably credit 105-110. Compared to a reserve CA at UA, I could probably come within 2-3k of what they earn.
02-21-2024 | 11:47 AM
#100
Perennial Reserve
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 14,172
Likes: 232
I don’t have a dog in the fight but I’ve seen it mentioned that united has hired over 6K pilots since the pandemic. All of the future retirement replacements have been hired and assuming growth, which not guaranteed things always happen. At the moment anyone going to united will not be at the front of the wave but the back of the wave. Depending on age it can still be a decent move but overall first world problems.
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