In expectation of an increase in PBS questions related to Reserve, Part-Time, and Credit Windows for the MAY20 bid, the PBS Committee has put together the following “FAQ.” Please refer to it as you build your MAY20 bid. As a reminder, bidding does not open until April 8 at 0900. We are sending this FAQ out in advance of bidding opening to ensure all FAs have time to review it before entering your bids. You can view the new bidding timeline in our previous email, and it is currently posted on the Info page in NAVBLUE.
If you have any questions we didn’t cover, need clarification, or would like some help setting up your MAY20 bid, send us an email at qxfa.joint.pbs.committee@horizonair.com
Happy Bidding!
Claire Wilson (Michaels), Lexie Massey, Trinity Hicks & Dee Dee Caldwell
Joint PBS Committee
Reserve
What are the chances I will end up on Reserve?
The number of reserves is expected to dramatically increase in all bases. Even with CLOAs and increased Part-Time bidders, we’re anticipating at least a 70% reduction in flying which equates to an approximate 70% reduction in credits available to bid for in PBS. This means there will be less than 30% of the normal amount of flying to bid for. PBS will build as many pairing lines as it can in seniority order. Once it has exhausted all pairings, it will build reserve lines for the remaining FAs.
The number of Anticipated Reserves that will be posted on the Info page by April 8th is approximate. While the goal is to post a number that is as realistic as possible, this is new territory for all involved. We are strongly recommending that ALL FAs consider adding a Reserve Bid Group to their bid for the foreseeable future. Adding a Reserve Bid Group is simple, will not increase your chances of getting reserve, and ensures PBS “knows” if you need particular days off.
Also, keep in mind these numbers will change from month to month. Just because you held a pairings line one month in no way guarantees that you will hold a pairings line the following month.
How do I enter a Reserve Bid group?
After you have entered your Pairings Bid Group, click “Start Bid Group” and then click “Start Reserve”. Be sure to enter any bids for days off in BOTH your Pairings and Reserve Bid Groups. If you want PBS to build you a Pairings line, make sure your Pairings Bid Group is above your Reserve bid group. If you put your Pairings Bid Group first, PBS will only build you Reserve if there are not enough pairings left to build you a complete pairings line.
Does entering a Reserve Bid Group hurt my chances of getting a Pairings line?
No! As long as your Pairings Bid Group is entered before your Reserve Bid Group (and as long as you do not use either the “Clear Schedule Start Next” or “Else Start Next” commands), PBS will build you a Pairings line if it can. It will even ignore all preferences in your Pairings Bid Group to try to build you a line, before it gives you reserve. PBS will ONLY build you a reserve line if there are not enough trips left at your seniority to build a complete Pairings line.
If I don’t enter a Reserve Bid Group, will PBS use my Prefer Offs in my Pairings Bid Group to build my reserve line?
No! If you are awarded a Reserve line, PBS will only look at Prefer Offs in a Reserve Bid Group. If you do not enter a Reserve Bid Group with the days off you want and you get reserve, PBS will not try to give you those days off.
I haven’t been on reserve in a long time. What do I need to know about how PBS builds reserve lines?
Please refer to the document “PBS Bidding Strategies for New Hires” in Comply > Inflight > Inflight Reference > PBS > PBS Bidding Strategies for New Hires. This document contains valuable info about the rules associated with reserve lines (i.e.: number of days on/off, blocks of days on/of, and waivers).
Will adding Waivers to my bid help me get a Pairings line and avoid Reserve?
Maybe. PBS cannot build a line below minimum guarantee: 69:18 for Full-Time and 34:36 for Part-Time. If there are only a few trips left at your seniority, waiving some of the contractual rules associated with line building might allow PBS to arrange those few trips that are left onto your line in a way that it wouldn’t be able to do otherwise.
But, adding Waivers in no way guarantees you will get a line. And, you should only add waivers that you are comfortable with. You can review what each waiver means via the document on the IMD: Comply > Inflight > Inflight Reference > PBS > PBS Bidding Strategies for New Hires.
How do I bid for Home Reserve Type (AM/PM) and/or preference SEA vs PAE Reserve?
Bids for Home Reserve Type are accomplished via a form in Comply. You must wait until bidding has closed to bid for Home Reserve Type. The form can be found via Comply > My Forms > Inflight PBS/Bidding > (Your Domicile) Flight Attendant Reserve Preference Bid.
What if I want to bid for Airport Reserve?
Airport Reserve bidding is accomplished via email with Crew Planning each month and is done prior to bidding opening in PBS. Bidding for MAY20 Airport Reserve is already closed. If you want to bid for Airport Reserve in JUN20, please watch company email the last week of April for an email from Trinity Hicks or Jan House about the Airport Reserve Bid and follow the directions.
Part Time
How do I know if I got a Part-Time Line?
Part-Time Awards will be posted by April 8 in NAVBLUE. You need to confirm that the Info page in NAVBLUE says “Yes” next to Reduced Block. If you expect to be Part-Time and you check the Info page AFTER 0900 on April 8 and it is showing “No”, please reach out to us ASAP.
I was awarded a Part-Time Line via email, but NAVBLUE is still showing “No” next to Reduced Block. Who do I need to contact?
If it is before April 8 at 0900, do not contact anyone. Crew Planning is still working through loading all the information into NAVBLUE. Please check again after the 8th at 0900.
If it is after April 8 at 0900, please contact the PBS Committee via email: qxfa.joint.pbs.committee@horizonair.com.
Is bidding Part-Time any different than bidding Full-Time?
In general, no. The bidding process and timelines are the same for Part-Time as they are for Full-Time. PBS will just build you half of a full credit line.
The one thing to consider is because PT is half of the credit, this means the credit-windows are also half as big. Because of this, we generally do not recommend PT bidders enter a “Minimum Credit Window” bid if they are bidding Part-Time. If you do, PBS will have an exceptionally small window in which it is trying to build your schedule, and you may end up with a less desirable schedule because PBS will have to deny preferences to find pairings that fit inside the credit window.
Is there a limit to the number of duty periods I can bid for on a Part-Time line?
Q: Is there a limit to the number of duty periods I can bid for on a Part-Time line?
The CBA prohibits FAs from picking up or trading into more than 9 duty periods in a month in SAP or via Trip Trading. However, PBS only uses a credit maximum of 45:30 to build Part-Time lines. Please refer to the credit windows posted on the Info page in NAVBLUE.
Can I bid for a Part-Time Reserve Line?
Yes. If you are a Part-Time bidder and get a reserve line (either bid for or awarded due to seniority) you can expect your PT Reserve Line to have 21 days off in a 31-day month, and 20 days off in a 30-day month.
Can a Part-Time FA buddy bid with a Full-Time FA?
No. Buddy Bidders must be both Full-Time or both Part-Time.
I normally bid for Minimum Credit Window, but I saw the Anticipated Line Average is very low. What do I need to know about Credit Windows?
Credit Windows are contractually determined by the Anticipated Line Average (ALA). Basically, if the ALA is only 70, the minimum credit window will only be 69:18 – 70:00. This is only 42 minutes! If you are Part Time, the Minimum Credit Window is even smaller! If you bid for Minimum Credit Window, depending on where you put it in your bidding order PBS will deny you other preferences like specific pairing numbers and/or days off in order to keep your line between 69:18 and 70:00. This is typically not something FAs want.
Also, with the ALA so low, all lines are going to be low in credit.
In other words, we are generally recommending that you do not bid for Minimum Credit Window. The only exception would be if you are cherry-picking trips that add up to between 69:18 and 70:00 (34:36-35:00 for Part Time) and are confident that you are senior enough to hold them.
Will there be any restrictions on Maximum Credit Window lines?
There are no contractual requirements on the minimum number of Maximum Credit Window lines. While we can’t say with 100% certainty that none will be allowed, it is very unlikely.
Miscellaneous
Can I work on my bid now, even though bidding isn’t open yet?
Yes. You can update your Default bid now. However, you cannot Submit a Current bid while bidding is closed. Please do not update your Current bid until bidding opens on the 8th.
PBS automatically clears the Current bid each month when the bid is getting loaded. This includes clearing any Saved bids you might have been planning to Submit after bidding opens. If you work on your Current bid before the 8th, Crew Planning may still be in the process of loading the necessary files and you could lose your work.
I’m on CLOA or VQLOA for April. Will I be able to bid for May?
Yes, if you’re scheduled to return to work in May. If you’re coming off a leave and anticipate working in May, check the Info page and make sure that you’re marked Eligible: Yes. If you’re marked No, please reach out ASAP. Note: Eligibility may not be updated until April 8 at 0900. Please do not reach out about eligibility until after bidding has opened
I was awarded a partial CLOA for May. Why isn’t it showing on my Calendar?
If you were awarded a partial CLOA, this will not be processed until after Final schedules have been awarded. You should bid for your May schedule as normal. Finals will be posted no later than 1700 on April 19th. Once Finals are posted, any flying during your partial CLOA will be dropped.