So what is the NJA 18 day fixed like?

[OCP]

Has NJA put out how the lines will be constructed? i.e. days on vs days off? Or will it be something different every month?

 

[CA1900]

Has NJA put out how the lines will be constructed? i.e. days on vs days off? Or will it be something different every month?

Nobody has used it yet, so we don't know. The first bid just came out, and we can specify the following preferences so far:

• A block of days off (including whether you want 1, 2, or 3 days off as part of it)
• A second block of 1, 2, or 3 days
• Shorter (<7 days) or longer tours
• Balanced time off between tours or unbalanced
• Pick which of the above 4 items is most important to you

"No preference" is an option for all of these. Obviously, the fewer criteria you put in (and fewer days in the blocks), the more likely they'll be able to award it. (In theory, anyway.)

That's it so far. We'll see how it turns out! I bid it to try it out for some extra cash starting 2/1. We'll know how the schedule came out by 1/15.

 

[x402]

Nobody has used it yet, so we don't know. The first bid just came out, and we can specify the following preferences so far:

• A block of days off (including whether you want 1, 2, or 3 days off as part of it)
• A second block of 1, 2, or 3 days
• Shorter (<7 days) or longer tours
• Balanced time off between tours or unbalanced
• Pick which of the above 4 items is most important to you

"No preference" is an option for all of these. Obviously, the fewer criteria you put in (and fewer days in the blocks), the more likely they'll be able to award it. (In theory, anyway.)

That's it so far. We'll see how it turns out! I bid it to try it out for some extra cash starting 2/1. We'll know how the schedule came out by 1/15.

Just a quick note, you only get 1 of the "Days Off" choices. The second is a backup if they don't want to give you the first selection.

 

[notaNJApilot]

Just a quick note, you only get 1 of the "Days Off" choices. The second is a backup if they don't want to give you the first selection.

What makes you think that?

 

[doylehargraves]

You guys switched to PBS? If so, I'm very sorry.

 

[CA1900]

You guys switched to PBS? If so, I'm very sorry.

We're in the process of switching to it, but only for the 18-day Fixed schedule, which pays more but is entirely optional for regular pilots. It replaces the 18-day Reserve schedule, which had two pairs of H-days, but was otherwise assigned day-by-day by the company.

Up to 90% of the crews can still be on the 7/7, and if the company doesn't do the right thing with the 18-day, that's exactly what'll happen. (10% will be on our 15-day flex schedule, either senior by bid or by junior-assignment.) They have 24 months to build the PBS; it'll be done manually until it happens.

 

[LAZYB]

You guys switched to PBS? If so, I'm very sorry.

PBS is a protocol, as I understand it, and the variables/values utilized by each company determine how well or bad it works.

Flexjet sucked.

 

[Guitar Guy]

Remember that unlike the airlines, NJA has a carrot to make PBS work. Except for training, so-called "small fleets" and perhaps for some instructor positions, the company cannot force pilots onto the 18-day Fixed. So if the company doesn't make PBS or in the interim solution palatable, they will not be able to keep many people on it.

Stay tuned - I'm on the 18-day Fixed for the foreseeable future. Maybe I can chime in after the first few months or bid periods and give you some further insight into how the 18-day is working.