10.13.19 – PBS: Holiday Bidding Tips
Sunday, October 13, 2019
PBS: Holiday Bidding Tips
Bidding Days Off
If having certain days off is important to you, the fewer number of properties you bid is often better. The more properties you add to your bid, the more it could decrease the number of trips in your pairing pools. You may want to bid all the days off you prefer in layer 1, remember all pairings that touch those days off will not be included in your pairing pools. Then bid fewer days off in each layer after that. If you were to bid the same days off in every layer, you are still keeping the pairings that touch those days off out of your pairing pools. By bidding fewer days off in later layers, you are increasing the pairings that PBS can award you.
If you do not bid enough pairings, you will be awarded pairings from outside of your pairing pools (PN). This may include any type of pairing on your requested days off. As a reminder, any bid for a specific pairing will override a request for an off day.
It’s important to realize there is a chance your seniority will have required coverage dates (CN) over the holidays. Relaxing your day off bids will help you by allowing PBS to award a trip from your pairing pool, versus a trip you did not bid for.
Bidding Trips Over the Holiday
The age-old question is “should I bid trips over the holiday just in case?” In a holiday month, it is crucial to understand your seniority and bid accordingly. If you are relatively junior, you are very likely to work over the holiday. If you have not had to work over the holidays in the past, remember PBS awarding of time off is very different than line bidding in the past.
Do not try to avoid it. It is best practice to bid for something in your final layers that you would like to fly close to the holiday or touching the actual holiday. If there is no way to avoid flying, at least you have given the system a list of trips you would prefer to work if you have to.
For further information on holiday bidding, please consult the link to the PBS Guide on the APFA website by clicking here.
Persistent Line Properties
When a persistent property is used in a layer, it will remain active throughout the remainder of your bid (unless Clear Bids is used). The following properties are persistent properties:
- Maximize Credit
- Maximize International Credit
- Allow Double-Up on Date
- Allow Multiple Pairings
- Allow Multiple Pairings on Date
- Allow Co-Terminal Mix in a Work Block
- Waive 24 hours Rest in Domicile
- Waive 30 hours in 7 Days
- Waive Minimum Domicile Rest
- Waive Carry-Over Credit (remains persistent regardless of using Clear Bids)
- Avoid Person
- Buddy With
For example, if you select to Waive Minimum Domicile Rest in layer 3, the system automatically applies this waiver to layers 3-7.
Single-Use Line Properties
Each of the following line properties can only be used one time per layer. When these properties are used more than once in the same layer, it creates conflicting bid criteria, which will impact your award.
- Target Credit Range
- Work Block Size
- Prefer Cadence on Day-of-Week
- Commutable Work Block
APFA Headquarters
1004 West Euless Boulevard
Euless, Texas 76040
M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108
Contract & Scheduling Desk
M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108
After-Hours Live Chat
Weekends / Holidays: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
APFA Headquarters
1004 West Euless Boulevard
Euless, Texas 76040
M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108
Contract & Scheduling Desk
M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108
After-Hours Live Chat
Weekends / Holidays: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
APFA Headquarters
1004 West Euless Boulevard
Euless, Texas 76040
M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108
Contract & Scheduling Desk
M-F: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)
Phone: (817) 540-0108
After-Hours Live Chat
Weekends / Holidays: 9:00AM - 5:00PM (CT)