Block building and PBS

[AirBoard]

Hi sinkrate.

Great response. Better than anything our PBS committee can tell us. We've been asking for the straight goods to deflect the blame from them but nothing like the substance you've provided. It sounds like it's unrealistic mgmt constraints.

We have a step by step solutions process as defined in our contract. Hourly max is generally -5 to +1 of the defines base amount but can be expanded up to -10 to + 1. The max day can also be opened from 16 to 17 days. We have some unproductive 3 day parings at 9hrs - these go jr and make solutions difficult. We also use an Optimizer that is employed to help find solutions - never a good thing when you hear the Optimizer has been employed.

It sounds like the mgmt constraints requirement - which the pilots have no control or say over - can lead to some of the longer runs. Is that safe to say? Or do the pilots constraints cause these problems too.

Thanks for your explanation.

 

[Bringupthebird]

Probably the best feature of PBS is the ability to Load Beginning or Load End of lines. With that, and if you're ok with working like a dog other times, you can build a vacation into every other month at the transition. I've never seen paper bids that could reliably do that.

 

[sinkrate]

Hi sinkrate.

Great response. Better than anything our PBS committee can tell us. We've been asking for the straight goods to deflect the blame from them but nothing like the substance you've provided. It sounds like it's unrealistic mgmt constraints.

We have a step by step solutions process as defined in our contract. Hourly max is generally -5 to +1 of the defines base amount but can be expanded up to -10 to + 1. The max day can also be opened from 16 to 17 days. We have some unproductive 3 day parings at 9hrs - these go jr and make solutions difficult. We also use an Optimizer that is employed to help find solutions - never a good thing when you hear the Optimizer has been employed.

It sounds like the mgmt constraints requirement - which the pilots have no control or say over - can lead to some of the longer runs. Is that safe to say? Or do the pilots constraints cause these problems too.

Thanks for your explanation.

I'm not familiar with your working agreement. In general - if every trip credits 6 hours a day, as long as the staffing is adequate, the solutions will run quick - and to a high degree of satisfaction for both the pilots and management. Problems typically start with either inadequate staffing or inefficient trips, or a combination of both. In this case these fixed external 'inputs' may require some of the variable 'constraints' be opened up to a greater range. For example, if staffing is short the minimum days off may need to be reduced, or the maximum line value may need to be increased, or the number of reserves reduced, or all three. The case of inefficient trips is counter intuitive. In this case it may require reducing the minimum pbs line credit below your contractual pay guarantee. Something management may be loth to do. So the answer to your question is - yes - both management and pilot constraints may be limiting.

 

[Turtle21]

Probably the best feature of PBS is the ability to Load Beginning or Load End of lines. With that, and if you're ok with working like a dog other times, you can build a vacation into every other month at the transition. I've never seen paper bids that could reliably do that.

How many airlines have you worked for?

I used SAP to do a 7 day run at the beginning of the month and one at the end with the rest of July as a "vacation" in between. Never used pbs so I won't say anything, accept that management wants it.

 

[Bringupthebird]

Never used pbs so I won't say anything, accept that management wants it.

Is ignorance your only defense for EVERYTHING???

How many airlines??? Weak.