Preferential Bidding System MOU
During Tuesday's voting conference call, the APA board of directors approved the Preferential Bidding System (PBS) MOU. The USAPA president has also signed the PBS MOU. Finalizing the MOU begins the development and implementation stage of the transition to this new bidding system.
Unlike the current method of bidding for pre-constructed lines, PBS allows pilots to bid for sequences they want to fly on days they prefer to fly. PBS does not affect the quality of the sequences, which are constructed in a separate process, nor does it change the long-standing dynamic in which the most senior pilots in any four-part bid status will likely hold the most favorable schedules, in both quality of trips and specific days worked. What it will offer is an opportunity for each pilot to have better control over what type of flying they do. With the amount and mix of flying we face today, PBS should provide a tangible improvement to our monthly schedules.
However, it is important to remember that PBS lines can be only as good as the underlying sequences.
Other notable effects of PBS:
More line-holders and fewer pilots on reserve
Pilot bidding for recurrent training before the monthly bid run
Elimination of month-to-month bidding conflicts and recurrent training trip drops
Elimination of second-round and relief bidding
Former TWA and America West pilots with past PBS experience helped our scheduling and negotiating representatives throughout the lengthy MOU development process. We also consulted with and learned from the experiences of our peers at Delta and United (which include former Northwest and Continental pilots) on their transition to PBS. Based on that information and presentations from all of the major vendors, APA and USAPA chose AOS as the product that offers the best solution for our pilots. We chose AOS because the program offers a logical and intuitive bidding method and interface, and it honors seniority in the award process while considering the preferences of junior pilots. The program also includes reserve line building and allows concurrent bidding for both line flying and reserve. For more detail on the PBS MOU, read the TASC Scheduling PowerPoint presentation to the APA board and the actual MOU.
PBS implementation is planned to be completed within 12 months of signing the MOU. The implementation phase will include system-wide pilot training, beta testing in smaller four-part bid statuses, parallel bidding over two to three months, and a phased transition by bid status.
In parallel with PBS will come the new Trip Trade System (TTS). Significant company resources are currently being devoted to TTS development. APA has been participating in bi-weekly meetings to examine and provide input on the TTS development process. We can now report significant progress on this project. Because PBS and TTS are completely independent and an outside vendor is developing PBS, parallel development of the two systems should not result in any delay of the new TTS. The plan is for testing and, if successful, implementation of the TTS in the first part of 2015, significantly ahead of the transition to PBS.
