PBS Queston

[CALnTX]

Seems CAL is heading toward implementing PBS sometime in the near future. My question is for those of you thtat have experience using it-what are your opinions good and bad? Any info would be great. Our union is working on getting info out but thought I'd just ask to see if you guys had some input. Thanks.

 

[Cactus73]

Seems CAL is heading toward implementing PBS sometime in the near future. My question is for those of you thtat have experience using it-what are your opinions good and bad? Any info would be great. Our union is working on getting info out but thought I'd just ask to see if you guys had some input. Thanks.

I really like it, but you have to know how to use it.

As a junior guy I can get pairings and days off I normally wouldn't be able to get if we had hard lines. This is mainly the result of the people senior to me not knowing how to use the program. I'm always amazed at some of the senior people I fly with that work weekends and holidays just because they couldn't figure out how to place a proper bid.

We also have a PBS help desk that will look at your bid and help you get what you want. Of course, it still depends on seniority.

I've also found that if you keep your bid simple, you will like the results a lot better. Don't try to assign points to everything and expect some great line, unless you're number one on the list.

 

[Burt Reynolds]

This seems to be a pretty well written article (albeit somewhat old) from the Nov/Dec ALPA mag. regarding PBS

http://cf.alpa.org/internet/alp/1999/novbidding.htm

 

[CALnTX]

Thanks for the info. Hope it isn't as bad as some think it will be.