AkPilot99

you’re telling me man…

AA717driver

So many companies **** away money because it doesn't come out of THAT budget, it comes out of another budget. I guarantee crew travel isn't correlated to tail profitability or budget.

They're just buying tickets to move bodies not considering WHY they need to airline someone from CDG.

Pilatus801

Any new developments on the PBS with Flexjet? I understood there were some growing pains. How is it now and are pilots using it, or do most go with an 8 on, 6 off schedule. Iĺl be joining the ranks in a few weeks and curious about what to expect with the flying schedule. Thanks!

TCASfail

its getting slightly better. But many people avoid the headache with a mid week swap day for 8/6. You’ll be assigned a schedule after OE. Then in the next bid period you can go to the 8/6 or PBS. Before you go to 8/6 they let you decide on a swap day (that is available). So if it’s a Sunday swap day then you can just go to PBS off the bat.

Pilatus801

Thank you. So in the PBS, pilots bid and the company still fills in the schedule, correct? But at the end of the day, are you still doing 5 days on with similar amounts off? Iḿ trying to understand if there is a benefit to PBS or if just better off with the 8/6 and knowing your schedule in advance.

TCASfail

You bid and in theory if your seniority can hold a certain schedule/days off then you get awarded that. Ive been out the game for a while as I’m no longer a FO. But I was able to hold some 4 day rotations, and 12 day lines for the month. You have some time to figure all this out. And you’ll be able to play around with the system on day 1 when you get your work iPhone as it has the app on it.

followingdreams

The key is the PBS needs to get CLOSER to this. They need to correct (YESTERDAY!) when specific days are asked for off, they are awarded on a seniotiry basis. Not everyone can have holidays off, we get that, but the guys who paid their dues for a few years (or months) and are now senior should be able to get a preferred schedule. It honestly feels like that asking for days off almost insures you will be scheduled... The company keeps statistics on EVERYTHING! They are complaining that the number of sick calls has increased quite a bit. I'm sure if they look at stats, the number 1 increase is in Flexbid pilots who are not getting the days off they have asked for. I cant believe it is taking them this long to improve a scheduling system. Ask anyone in the know, the reason most people are leaving is schedule flexibility. Pay is not bad but QOL is not overcome by more $$.

AA717driver

That is, in theory, what EVERY PBS system is supposed to do. I've worked with a couple different PBS systems before this and senior people ALWAYS occasionally get hosed. Sounds like this system is no different. It should be very simple--we don't bid for specific trips, layovers or start/end times. You take what the number one pilot wants and award it. For number two, whatever he wants that doesn't conflict with number one, award it.

And, with as many pilots as we have bidding, it should be pretty easy for the program to fill holes.

Now, if the company has its fingers in the pie (no way, right?) and limits how short rotations can be to reduce travel costs, that would skew the results--especially for the senior people who are asking for shorter rotations.

I've never had better schedules than when Maria the TWA scheduler was giving me vacation relief lines (created with pencil and paper) and I've never had worse schedules than with AA's really expensive PBS program.

YMMV.

Boeing Aviator

Not true at United. If your senior and you bid correctly PBS never hoses senior pilots.

AA717driver

AA's system is always being tinkered with and you hear of senior guys getting all weekends or flying over Christmas. But, that's AA.

NB bidding was always a crap shoot being in mid seniority.

Back to Flex--I really would like to hold out for DRL CA and that type of scheduling. We shall see...