In my present company I sleep home every night so I don't bid for trips, I did get all the holiday I bid for (25 days in the summer, Xmas off and Easter off) but that might have been either luck or the fact that the average age is lower here. There are lots of people that don't have kids so don't bid for the school holidays. The command upgrade is quite a convoluted process but is supported by strong growth. There are are plenty of slots and as a result most people get to have a go sooner rather than later. The system is not fully transparent but any irregularities only make a difference of months rather than many years as before.