PBS QOL survey

[BoilerUP]

I'm trying to get some pilot-to-pilot feedback on Pref Bidding.

I know RAH & SKW have it...anybody else? I am aware RAH uses NavTech, does anybody use EOS?

Not looking for pros vs. cons of PBS or how PBS works, I already know all that...what I am looking for however is first-hand knowledge of how PBS has helped or hurt *your* QOL & bidding power. What do and don't you like about PBS? What would you change about your PBS system if you could?

Many thanks to everyone who replies!

 

[imacdog]

We have it at Comair, and in my case it has worked fairly well. We use the SBS system. I can build the type of line with specific days off that might not be available to me if we only had a list of monthly lines to choose from. It certainly isn't a perfect system but it allows you to choose what's most important to you and it will do its best to get you a line that corresponds to your request. Any problems that arise are usually a result of bidding too specifically when your seniority doesn't allow it, or bidding to generally and not being happy with what you get.

 

[CoATP]

It's effectiveness depends on the parameters that are supplied by management. That will restrict the pairings that it can create. A much better use of computer resource is to use online swap/drop/add software. This will let you adjust any schedule without the "advice" of scheduling and/or planning. Experience with this?

 

[Steveair]

Death to PBS - FIGHT IT!!

PBS has been live at SkyW in all domiciles for a few months. It's T-E-R-R-I-B-L-E. The most senior people like it since they get what they want (except those that don't want to work - most people have to work 75-85 hours at least). The company likes it because it eliminates open time / transition and saves them money. I was holding stuff I wanted but I can't touch it now... I can't even get what I was holding my first few months as a line holder.

PBS at SkyW already has pairings built. The pairings are not built off of what people "prefer."

Senior people aren't getting what junior people are in some cases. Open time is filled with trips that could be made into schedules that people want but don't get.

AVOID PBS at your airline at all cost!

 

[DoinTime]

PBS at SkyW already has pairings built. The pairings are not built off of what people "prefer."

There is no such thing as a PBS system that builds pairings by request. All functional PBS systems use prebuilt pairings.

 

[wings421]

I never bid the "other way" here at CHQ, but I REALLY like PBS. Most people that complain: (1)-don't understand how to bid correctly or (2)-they are bidding unrealistic for their senority.

 

[rickair7777]

PBS is what it is, but compared to pre-built lines there are three significant differences...

1) A junior person has a better chance of getting a specific day off (for family, etc) with PBS, as long as it is not a holiday.

2) With PBS, senior pilots get more of what they want, at the expense of middle and junior pilots.

3) PBS builds more lines, resulting in less reserve.

Whether this is good or bad depends on your seniority...

 

[Steveair]

PBS is what it is, but compared to pre-built lines there are three significant differences...

1) A junior person has a better chance of getting a specific day off (for family, etc) with PBS, as long as it is not a holiday.

2) With PBS, senior pilots get more of what they want, at the expense of middle and junior pilots.

3) PBS builds more lines, resulting in less reserve.

Whether this is good or bad depends on your seniority...

All but your first point is correct. I know several people that try to just get 1 or 2 days off to go to a wedding and can't at SkyW

Why can't PBS build pairings based on peoples request? Maybe it could be the next big thing... too bad no airline will shell out extra developmental cost.

 

[Soverytired]

Mesa is currently running test bids for the Navtech PBS system.

Mesa builds the pairings, pilots get their preferences from those <crap> pairings.

Since Mesa builds lots of very, very bad Stand-up-overnight pairings (re: "camping trips", planks-on-a-plane, etc.), this is NOT going to be good for most pilots. (Pre-PBS bidding system tried to put all the "camping trips" into "camping trip" only/mostly lines . . . .post-PBS this nod to circadian rhythms is simply not considered unless your senority can force it to)

Top 10% of pilots in domicile will get decent (but not fantastic) schedules.

Guys in >10% range to 70% range will get crappy schedules. (flying shifts all over the clock)

Guys in the bottom 30% will get completely screwed. ("Pay your dues, you say?" Well, I've been here 8 years, and in that puts me in the the bottom 30% in my domicile . . . the "dues" argument don't fly when you're talking about a HUGE step backwards in QOL, difficult to do at Mesa, yet there you have it.)

In theory, PBS reduces the amount of reserves needed (good for junior pilots, both CA/FO's). At Mesa . . .not so much, as lots of pilots must be on reserve in uniform at the airport for 10 hrs a stretch to cover piss poor planning.

Based on the test results I've seen, I think PBS w/o good pairings is a terrible thing for the pilots. Garbage in, garbage out.