I don't like to agree with Probe but for the most part he has the right idea. Quality of lines is better than early delivery. ALPA and the company use to run line results a couple times to optimize for both the company and the pilots. The results were better lines for all.

Cullen B. has a wealth of knowledge on the different PBS systems out there and was instrumental in the initial implementation of PBS at LUAL. Hopefully ALPA can get him involved (draft if necessary) in the selection and implementation of a better system.

So we have Cullen to blame for PBS. No more vacation touch etc since PBS; Bah Humbah

Cullen had nothing to do with that. Once the company made the decision to go to PBS "vacation touch" was dead.

He was instrumental in giving advice to those with the power to negotiate the best deal we could get for PBS. Once the learning curved passed most pilots got better lines based on their senority, despite losing vacation override.

Once Delta (I think it was Delta) signed off on PBS, it become the norm and vacation override was gone for all - can't blame Cullen.

At XJT on the CRJ side we use Sabre's prefbid. It's an amazing system with the ability to maximize vacation and have control over your schedule. I've been on reserve, mid line holder and number four with both prefbid and line bidding and have been most satisfied with prefbid.

There are no formulas or algorithms to learn; simply cherry pick your trips or choose your preferences.

Regardless of the system, the negotiated rules are the most important part of any bidding system.