PBS Bidding Checklists

General Checklist

Prior to logging out of PBS, use this bidding checklist to assist you in your monthly bidding.

Click here to download a .pdf version of this checklist.

	Check your Layer Tab
	None of your layers are resulting in zero (0) pairings by layer, unless this aligns with your intentional strategy
	None of your pairing properties conflict with your line or days off properties
	If you bid specific pairings, only the total number of specific pairings you bid, multiplied by the number of positions, should show up in that layer
	Click on "view pairing set" to review all the pairings you're bidding for in each layer and ensure they align with your preferences
	Avoid bidding generic properties in the same layer as specific pairings unless this aligns with your intentional strategy
	You correctly bid your “preferred position preference” in every layer
	Check to make sure you only bid your “preferred position preference” once per layer
	Do not combine multiple maximize properties in one layer

	Check your Dashboard
	Check your status to make sure it is the correct lineholder or reserve status
	Check your qualifications to make sure your first language is the primary language you prefer (if it is not, you will not be able to change it for this bid run, but have to make changes by the 26th for next month)
	Check to make sure your qualifications are accurate
	Check to make sure that if you show as a reserve but had toggled to be a lineholder you backed yourself up with bidding lines

	Check your Calendar
	All known absences are on your monthly calendar
	All days off you are bidding for show up in each layer you bid for them
	If on Reserve, you bid for your reserve days off under the reserve tab

	Make sure the “target credit range” you are bidding:
	Is realistic for your seniority
	Can be accomplished with the days off you are bidding
	Is appropriate for the pairings you are bidding - do the math
	Has only one TCR range per layer

Buddy Bidding Checklist

Budding Bidding is tricky, we urge you to use this checklist to assist with any attempts at buddy bidding.

Click here to download a .pdf version of this checklist.

	General Guidelines
	Have all "buddies" accepted?
	Check the final number of buddies in the group.
	The “initiator” is the first employee number listed and will have to submit the bid for the group. (PBS will base the award on the most junior Flight Attendant seniority in the group, regardless if they are the follower or initiator).
	If you want the best chance to be awarded everything together then the initiator should be the one with the least pre-assignments. The other option is the Initiator to be the Flight attendant with the most days of planned absences if the follower would like to be awarded trips during the initiator’s planned absences. The follower would then input bids in L2-L7 to be awarded trips during that time frame. The Follower should also bid a TCR in L2.
	The initiator should be the Flight Attendant with no special qualifications or the fewest.

	Initiator
	1. Submit a bid starting with Layer 1.
	2. Bid a target credit range (TCR).
	3. L1 – Waive Carry-Over Credit – if so desired.
	4. L1 – Add any waivers (30/7, HBR, etc.) if preferred for the follower(s) and yourself (see a list of applicable waivers below).
	5. Bid enough positions for all buddies in the group (taking any Flight Attendants in your group with special qualifications into account for the positions). See changes to this in additional tips below.
	6. PBS awards the initiator sequences that have enough open positions for the followers, without regard to qualifications. If one of the open positions requires a qualification and the follower does not hold that qualification, the follower will not be awarded the sequence with the initiator.
	7. If the initiator bids for sequences that require purser, speaker or purser/speaker positions, and the follower(s) are not purser/speaker qualified, it could result in the follower(s) not being awarded all pairings with the initiator.

	Follower
	1. L1 – Waive Carry-Over Credit – if so desired.
	2. L1 – Add any waiver you need if the initiator has not done so already (30/7, HBR, etc. see a list of applicable waivers below).
	3. L2 – L7 – Bid a TCR.
	4. L2 – L7 – Bid additional pairings / pairing properties / line properties / days off.
	5. L2 – L7 – Bid positions.
	6. Standing bid – check your standing bid, if you do not bid in L2-L7 and remove any bids in L1 except for those properties noted above.
	7. L1 – Do not bid a TCR
	8. L1 – Do not bid pairings / pairing properties / line properties/ days off
	9. L1 – Do not bid positions.
	10. Standing bid – Do not have anything in L1 except for items in the “DOs”.

How PBS Processes a Buddy Bid

Waivers

If the waivers listed below are selected by the initiator, they will also be applied to the follower. If the initiator does not prefer them, the follower can independently select them in L1 or subsequent layers.

Waivers are not assumed for the follower. If not selected, they will not apply to the initiator OR the follower:

Waive 24 hrs Rest in Domicile
Waive 30 hrs in 7 Days
Waive Minimum Domicile Rest
Waive Carry-Over Credit
Waive Minimum [11] Days Off
Allow Multiple Pairings
Allow Double-Ups
Work Block Size (the default of six days will apply if not waived)

* NOT: It is important to consider all waivers necessary in order to receive the best buddy bid award results. In the event pre-planned activities or legalities are different for the buddy group, failure for the initiator or follower to bid the proper waivers could result in some buddy groups not achieving a complete award together.

Positions

PBS will check and only consider those pairings which have open positions, included in the Position Order bid by the initiator when awarding.
It is highly recommended for the initiator to bid a consistent Prefer Positions Order in all layers (same positions and order), and to ensure no layers are skipped, in order to achieve the best buddy bid award results together.

Target Credit Range

The follower(s) Target Credit Range used in Layer 1 will be equal to the accumulated Target Credit Range from the initiator’s awarded layer (including a high time TCR bid of above 90 hrs).
Keep in mind how PBS processes a buddy bid:
1. The initiator is processed first,
2. Then her/his complete award is added to the follower’s Layer 1 bid to then process their awards.
Example: if the initiator is awarded from a layer where the default TCR
of 70-90, the buddy follower(s) will also inherit the default TCR of 70-90.
This could result in some buddy groups not achieving a complete award together, especially in the event pre-planned activities/absences cause variations in Existing Credit.

Additional Tips

For a buddy group containing any special qualification Flight Attendants (i.e. Purser, Speaker) to have the best opportunity to be awarded a line together best practices should include the follower(s) being the Flight Attendant holding any special qualification.
The initiator of the buddy group should be the Flight Attendant not holding any kind of special qualification.
It’s important to keep in mind the Prefer Position Order bid by the initiator, in a buddy group containing special qualified Flight Attendant to include the specific positions that special qualified Flight Attendant may only be able to be awarded (i.e. position 1 for Purser, or a non-galley position for a speaker).
- A buddy bid could break if both members of a buddy group have the same speaker qualifications and are forced to work speaker trips, and there are not enough “buddy-able” speaker pairings.
- It is not recommended for junior Flight Attendants who hold a special qualification that are commonly awarded PN pairings in their special qualification to buddy bid. The best alternative would be to mirror bid with the Flight Attendant(s) you would like to fly with.
- The Flight Attendant with the most pre-planned absences/activites should be the Initiator.
- For all followers, the only bids other than the buddy bid acceptance in Layer 1 should be any additional waivers such as Waive Carry-Over Credit or Waive 30 hours in 7 Days.
- Followers should continue bidding in layers 2-7 with their own TCR, additional pairings, and other bids as an individual backup to the buddy bid.