Preferential bidding systems
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Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Aust
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Preferential bidding systems
Hi folks,
My airline, under some duress, is considering implementing a preferential bidding system for pilot rosters.
Can anyone who works under one offer any suggestions as to what works and what doesn't?
I understand that there are some off the shelf software solutions... Are they any good? Are they stupid expensive?
A good business case would have to be put forward as well.... Has anyone managed to sell the idea to management?!
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thx.
My airline, under some duress, is considering implementing a preferential bidding system for pilot rosters.
Can anyone who works under one offer any suggestions as to what works and what doesn't?
I understand that there are some off the shelf software solutions... Are they any good? Are they stupid expensive?
A good business case would have to be put forward as well.... Has anyone managed to sell the idea to management?!
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thx.
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Switzerland
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Swissair bought a preferential bidding system from a canadian company called Adopt in the late 90's, with mixed success.
Implementing the complex rule system, a mix of JAA, various collective contracts and a relatively complicated set of possible bids was not only expensive, but cost us a lot of time and credit with the employees.
Still, a notable improvement in general roster satisfaction was noticed after a few months of "tuning" and relentless instruction and marketing efforts.
In the end, the ever-growing demands set upon the software to not only satisfy bids, but also introduce a "fair-share" element for free days and block hours, considerably diminished the system's capability to function.
As far as I know, Swiss now operate with software tools from Jeppesen, and a somewhat simplified set of possible bidding.
Final note: as a single first officer and bidding system instructor, I absolutely loved what the bidding system did for me: better sectors on short and long haul, and the occasional stroke of luck with multiple "leftover" off days being attributed in a lump. The feedback from the guys with big families, part time contracts, other constraints or simply a bad case of "schedule envy" were far less positive at the time.
Really final note: I'm not aware of an off-the-shelf software solution being available for bidding system, and I can't imagine such a system being affordable for a small or medium-sized outfit....
Implementing the complex rule system, a mix of JAA, various collective contracts and a relatively complicated set of possible bids was not only expensive, but cost us a lot of time and credit with the employees.
Still, a notable improvement in general roster satisfaction was noticed after a few months of "tuning" and relentless instruction and marketing efforts.
In the end, the ever-growing demands set upon the software to not only satisfy bids, but also introduce a "fair-share" element for free days and block hours, considerably diminished the system's capability to function.
As far as I know, Swiss now operate with software tools from Jeppesen, and a somewhat simplified set of possible bidding.
Final note: as a single first officer and bidding system instructor, I absolutely loved what the bidding system did for me: better sectors on short and long haul, and the occasional stroke of luck with multiple "leftover" off days being attributed in a lump. The feedback from the guys with big families, part time contracts, other constraints or simply a bad case of "schedule envy" were far less positive at the time.
Really final note: I'm not aware of an off-the-shelf software solution being available for bidding system, and I can't imagine such a system being affordable for a small or medium-sized outfit....
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
Join Date: Jun 2004
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A bidding system that has three possible bids, High Bid, Medium Bid and Low Bid which rotate each month throughout the crew is fair but difficult.
A bid system that only uses seniority as the basic start point, (QANTAS did, I believe), is very unfair in both quality of trip and earnings to junior people until they rise up the seniority pole. Friend of mine with a B747 command in QF, after nineteen years service, could still only bid standby lines, may all have changed now.
A bid system that only uses seniority as the basic start point, (QANTAS did, I believe), is very unfair in both quality of trip and earnings to junior people until they rise up the seniority pole. Friend of mine with a B747 command in QF, after nineteen years service, could still only bid standby lines, may all have changed now.
Nemo Me Impune Lacessit
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He had his command on the B743 and none of the senior men were volunteering for the -400 when it first arrived so junior capts were able to bid and, for a while, enjoyed the full (but limited) roster, but once the -400 had settled in, had all the cream trips, simulator in Sydney etc. the senior guys opted for the -400 and the junior guys, like my friend, slid back down the bidding pole! 
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I would dread to be in a company with a bidding system that is based solely on seniority. The outfit I work for has a rotating bid system which seems to be a more popular way of doing things when speaking to those that have experienced both methods. I chatted to a friend who works for a company who has a seniority based bidding system and they recently spent their first Christmas at home for a few years whilst I have had three out of the four past Christmas Days at home and I more of less wrote my own roster for last December. I am only half of the way up the seniority list on my fleet as well in the RHS.
