NAVTECH Crew Planning N av t e c h We b P B S B id de r Q u i c k Re f e r e n c e G u i d e Re v. 1.0 2013 Navtech Systems Support Inc. All rights reserved. Navtech Systems Support Inc. Suite 200, 295 Hagey Blvd., Waterloo, Ontario N2L 6R5 Canada Complying with all applicable copyright laws is the responsibility of the user. Without limiting the rights under copyright, no part of this document may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), or for any pur- pose, without the express written permission of Navtech Systems Support Inc. ( Navtech ). Navtech may have patents, patent applications, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights covering subject matter in this document. Except as expressly provided in any written license agreement from Navtech, the furnishing of this document does not give you any license to these patents, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property. This document describes Navtech Web PBS Bidder Quick Reference Guide. Subsequent revisions of the product may provide additional functionality or modify the limits described in this document. The information in this document is furnished for informational use only, is subject to change without notice, and should not be construed as a commitment by Navtech Systems Support Inc.
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Table of Contents About the Web PBS Bidder Quick Reference Guide... 5 Web PBS Bidder Quick Reference.... 6 1. Log on to Web PBS Bidder.... 7 Web PBS Bidder Interface.... 7 View Information.... 7 2. View Your Calendar.... 8 3. View Details for the Current Period.... 9 Search for Pairings.... 9 View Pairing Details.... 9 4. Create Your Bids.... 10 Concurrent Reserve - Adding a Bid Group and Bid Preferences.... 11 5. Submit Your Bids.... 13 Notes on Submitting Your Bid.... 13 6. Log Out of Web PBS Bidder.... 14 7. View Your Awards.... 15 Awards Section.... 16 Awards Section - View Pairing Details.... 16 Reasons Report... 17 3
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About the Web PBS Bidder Quick Reference Guide This manual uses special symbols to draw your attention to additional information and to ensure that you are read- ing the correct information pertaining to your version of Web PBS Bidder. Asteriks: Asterisks are used to alert you to information in the topic varies due to the type of reserve module that you have. Caution: Cautions identify potential issues that you should be aware of when you are completing your bid. Note: Notes offer additional information related to the topic. Style Conventions used in the Web PBS Bidder Guide Buttons Used to indicate buttons or tabs that can be selected 5
Web PBS Bidder Quick Reference The PBS Bidder is part of the Navtech (PBS) Preferential Bidding System that helps you to get a block that suits you by customizing your bid according to your individual likes and dislikes, based on the work available at your seniority level. This quick reference document outlines the basic steps for creating and submitting a bid in the Web PBS Bidder. Navtech PBS allows you to customize your block according to your individual likes and dislikes. The PBS Bidder and Scheduler form a Preferential Bidding System (PBS) that builds individualized crew blocks based on each crewmember s preferences, including both likes and dislikes for flying or training (if applicable), specific pairings, and days off. The bids that you submit using the PBS Bidder are submitted to the PBS Scheduler. Your bids and the rules, pairings, and other parameters in the PBS Scheduler added by your administrator are used to automatically build your flying schedule for the bid period. The PBS Scheduler considers each crewmember s seniority and bid when building blocks and ensures that the final blocks of time meet as many crewmember preferences as possible, while also meeting legal requirements and the airline s targets for crew utilization and open time. Blocks are constructed strictly according to the seniority of each bidder, with the most senior bidder s block created first, and the most junior bidder s block created last. Along with your awarded pairings, the PBS Bidder provides a Reasons Report that identifies whether or not each bid preference was fulfilled, and also provides detailed explanations for awards and denials. 6
1. Log on to Web PBS Bidder 1. Navigate to the Web PBS Bidder page provided to you by your scheduling committee. 2. Enter your user name and password 3. Click the Log In button Web PBS Bidder Interface Log In Screen The Web PBS Bidder is a web-based application with a graphical user interface (GUI), which means it runs on the world wide web, and uses graphics to display information and let you view and change information. The interface is designed to let you point and click on menus, buttons, and check boxes to create your bid, so you don t have to learn or type any complicated commands. The PBS Interface has two types of navigational tools: tabs and buttons. The tabs on the left allow you to navigate to the Info, Calendar, Bids and Results screen. The buttons on the right allow you to search for pairings, get help, print information and log out. View Information After you log in, the Info tab appears as seen in the screenshot below. The Info tab displays important information about the current bid period as well as other general information and bulletins. The Info tab also displays your qualifications, including your name, employee number, base, classification, language, and seniority. If any of this information is incorrect, contact your administrator to correct the information as soon as possible. You can switch to the Info tab at any time by clicking on the tab. Info Tab 7
2. View Your Calendar The Calendar tab displays a calendar containing your awarded and pre-awarded activities and absences, including pairings, training, and vacation. You can use this calendar to view your current block, as well as the current bid period. The calendar displays any carry-ins/carry-outs you may have from the previous bid period, and lets you check the actual dates of weekends or specific days of the week that may affect the bid you submit. Within the calendar, you can click on an activity and a pop-up window appears containing the details of the item. The calendar displays six weeks at a time, but you can see up to 13 previous bid periods on the calendar Calendar Tab A current month B the arrows on either side of the month allow you to move from one month to the next and back C the legend identifies how various items are displayed D pairing details: click on the pairing number to view pairing information, see the instructions below for more detail You can view the details of any pairing that you have been awarded after bidding has been closed and all bids have been processed. To view pairing details: 1. switch to the calendar tab 2. click on a pairing number The pairing details appear in a new window. From this screen you can print the pairing details. 8
3. View Details for the Current Period The pairings button lets you search for pairings in the current bid period that meet specific criteria, so that you can find the kinds of pairings that suit you. Navigate to the Pairings screen to view pairing details. The Pairings screen lets you search for pairings in the current bid period that meet specific criteria, so that you can find the kinds of pairings that suit you. You can search for a pairing using most of the Award Pairings or Avoid Pairings bid preference options. Search for Pairings To search for pairings 1. Click the Pairings button. The Pairings page appears in a new window. 2. Select your search criteria. 3. Click on the checkbox beside the criteria to select it. 4. Add any additional options, such as dates, times, locations, or amounts. 5. Repeat Steps1 to 2 for each additional type of criteria you want to add to this bid preference. 6. Click the Search button to find all of the pairings that match your criteria. The matching pairings are displayed on the Results tab. View Pairing Details The PBS Scheduler displays the results of a search on the Results tab. You can see summary information about each pairing, but you can also view the complete details for one or more pairings. To view pairing details 1. In the Results tab, use the check box to select one or more pairings. 2. Click the View Details button. Pairing Details open in a new window. 3. When you have viewed the pairing details, click Close to return to the Results tab use the Print button to print details of one or more pairings. Search Results and Pairing Details 9
4. Create Your Bids If you click the Back button or close your browser before you submit your bids, any changes you made to your bids are lost. Make sure you submit your bids before closing your browser window. These instructions can be used for creating Current, and Default Bids Select Bid Type To create a bid: 1. Switch to the Bids tab. 2. Use the Period drop down menu to select the period. 3. Use the Type drop down menu to select your bid type: Training, Current or Default 4. Add bid groups (depending on Reserve and Bid type) and bid preferences. 5. Rearrange your bid preferences, if necessary. 6. Change your bid preferences, if necessary, to fine-tune your bid. 7. Delete specific bid preferences, if necessary. 8. Submit your bids by clicking the Submit All Bids button. You can make changes to your Current bid up to the bid closing time. After bidding closes, you cannot change your Current bid. The bid closing time should be available on the Info tab. The bidding times are set by the administrator. 1
Concurrent Reserve - Adding a Bid Group and Bid Preferences Concurrent Reserve These instructions refer to Concurrent Reserve. Before you can add a bid preference you must add a bid group. Bid Group options - Pairing Bid Group To add a Bid Group and Bid Preference: 1. Switch to the Bids tab. 2. Select the bid period - use the Period drop down menu to select the bid period 3. Select the bid type, Current, Default or Training - use the Type drop-down menu to select the bid type 4. Click the Add button. The Add Bid Preference screen opens. Bids Tab 5. Select the Bid Group you want to add. 6. Select the Add button. The Bid Group is added to your bid Add Bid Group 1
7. Select the recently added Bid Group. Your selection is highlighted. 8. Select the Add Button. The Add Bid Preference screen opens. Bid Group Highlighted 9. Select the Bid Preference tab based on the type of bid preference you want to add. Add a Bid Preference Screen 10. Select the bid preference and its options (if applicable) and select Add. The bid preferences you enter, Prefer Off, Award/Avoid, Set Condition and Waive are used to build your schedule. For subsequent bids - select where you want your bid preference to be in the bid group. Next, select the Add button and select your bid preference type from the Add Bid Preference screen. To add a new bid group - select where you want your new bid group located. Next, select the Add button and then the Start Bid Group tab when the Add Bid Preference screen opens and select the Bid Group type. 1
5. Submit Your Bids Current bids can be submitted after bidding opens and before bidding closes. Your administrator should make the opening and closing dates and times available through the Info tab. To submit your bid: 1. Switch to the Bids tab. 2. Click the Submit All Bids button. The PBS Bidder submits both your Current bid and your Default bid to the PBS Scheduler. The PBS Scheduler uses your submitted bids to create your block for the current bid period. The PBS Bidder displays a confirmation number at the top of the screen once your bid has been successfully submitted. Confirmation Number Notes on Submitting Your Bids You must submit or your bids before you log out or any changes you made to your bids will be lost. The confirmation number confirms that your bids have been submitted. If you click the Back button or close your browser before you submit your bids, any changes you made to your bids will also be lost. Make sure you submit your bids before closing your browser window. If you haven t changed anything in your Current or Default bids, you don t have to submit them. You only need to submit your bids if you ve made changes to them. You can make changes to your bid up to the bid closing time. After bidding closes, you cannot change your Current or Default bids for the bid period. The bid closing time should be available on the Info tab. You can still make changes to your Default bid, but the changes won t take effect until the next bid period. 1
6. Log Out of Web PBS Bidder If you log out of the PBS Bidder before submitting your bids, any changes you made to your Current bid or Default bid are lost. 1. Click the Log Out button. Do not close the PBS Bidder using the button in the top right corner of the browser window. This button closes the browser window but does not log you out of the PBS Bidder properly. If you close the browser window before you submit your bids and log out of the PBS Bidder, you will lose any changes you made to your bids. 1
7. View Your Awards The Results tab displays the pairings you have been awarded for the current bid period, as well as the Reasons Report explaining how the PBS Scheduler handled each of your bid preferences. Results are displayed after Crew Scheduling has finished processing the awards and has published the results. The Results tab shows you the scheduling results for the current bid period, but it does not display your final block. Results Tab 1
Awards Section The Awards pane displays the pairings that you have been awarded for the current bid period. Each pairing is displayed on a separate line, arranged chronologically by date and time. The Awards pane also displays training, vacation, or other activities that were considered during scheduling. Results Section Awards Section - View Pairing Details You can view the details of the pairings that you have been awarded. To view pairing details: 1. In the Awards section, click on a pairing number. The details of the selected pairing appear in a separate window. See screenshot below. 2. When you have finished viewing the pairing details, click Close to return to the list of awarded pairings. Pairing Details 1
Reasons Report The Reasons report shows the results of each bid preference in your bid that was used to construct your block. If a reason is not given, it was not used to build your block. The Reasons Report gives you insight into how the PBS Scheduler put pairings on your block. It shows how many pairings matched your Award Bid Preferences and shows if some of these pairings were removed from consideration because of earlier Avoid or Prefer Off bid preferences. It also states if Avoid and Prefer off bid preferences were honored or not. You can use the information on the Reasons Report to adjust your bid for the next bid period. Each bid preference is numbered, and appears on the Reasons report followed by any pairings that were awarded as a result of the bid preference, and an explanation of how the bid preference affected your block Sample Reasons Report 1