November '09 Bid's Nuts and Bolts

Let's get to work!

Today is Saturday October 10th, 2009 and bidding has just opened for the November bid. If you're a new FA, bidding runs each month from the 10th 9am - 17th 9am. In COS a few common flying changes have happened that will effect our bids, it is important to note them.

• We have new transfers

We now have 67 FAs in COS Which is the highest I have seen since back in early April '09. They are all relatively junior with one new hire (it appears). If you see them, welcome them. They'll be used and abused by Crew Scheduling as I am right now typing this in YWG (I was re-flowed today). The increase to 67 FAs mean we'll actually have a shot at dropping trips on Skedplus. Also, the bid information hasn't come out yet and it rarely does until the 13th or 14th but the PBS log in page says, "58 targeted line holders." While it may be more of a ballpark number that does mean we're looking at having 9 (+/- a few) reserves. In October '09 we only had 3!

It is also crucial that I mention, we have 412 available pairings (total) for FAs in COS for November. In October we had about 390 (if I remember correctly) and 57 lines awarded. "Pairings" for FAs are very significant. That is the total number of trips with FA and FF included together. When bidding, as an FA, you have to remember you are essentially bidding for position on every pairing. Example: Say I want a certain 3 day trip on the CRJ700. That trip is divided into the FA (ex. R3056) and the FF (ex. R3656). Unless you really care what seat your sitting in, by bidding for both these pairings you increase your chances of being awarded that trip! Pilots are obviously at a loss here since their locked into the Left and Right seat. That is why there are fewer pilots and more FAs in COS!

• We have a few FAs sitting the month out

We have 2 or 3 that will not be in the bid package for November. Whom we will miss seeing on the line, but we're all happy to temporarily pick up the slack. It is also important to note that 3 or 4 FAs in the package are part time awarded.

• We begin our 2009 Holiday travel season

Typically the Holiday months see our highest fluctuation of flying. You'll tend to see lots trips around the major holidays where our Fall and Spring tend to be the lowest fluctuation. This is great for those (like me) who want the hours and sad for those who want to be with family. I like to try to have my cake and eat it too so I'll play around in my layers to see if I can get a trip that starts or finishes early on the holiday.

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