How the SLG Works

Behind the SLG

Now with the understanding of how the Monthly Bid is processed and awarded, let’s discuss how Secondary Lines are processed and awarded. The Secondary Line Generator is the software (Jeppesen Crew Bid) used to generate an optimized award. You may hear the term PBS (Preferential Bidding Software) used interchangeably with SLG, which is in fact true as it a PBS. It is very important to note however that the software is tailored specifically to our unique work rules and vastly differs from other carriers that utilize PBS as their sole and primary means of monthly bidding.

Most other carriers cannot generate conflict nor be awarded mixed secondary lines with their PBS solution.

How it works

From a very high-level overview, the SLG is fundamentally a calculator that is used to generate a solution (award). There is a known quantity of Secondary Line Holders, a pool of Trips & Reserve Blocks, and lastly an Average Line Value (ALV) range to solve to. The method to achieve an optimized solution goes through a multi-step process that factors in constraints established by both the Company via operational goals and the Pilot via preferences while respecting seniority. This is a very similar process when relating to Regular Line construction, however in this case the Pilot is constructing their lines based on their own preferences respective to their seniority.

To better visualize this, you can reference the diagram below of how constraints can be esbalished by both the Pilot and the Company.

** Insert Chart**

The Optimization Process

To award a solution, the SLG goes through a Three Step Process known as the Optimization Process.

Step 1: Seniority Sequential (SenSeq)
- In this first step, the SLG optimizes to award each Pilot the highest possible Preference Group based on the constraints entered by the Pilot.
Step 2: Feasibility
- In this second step, the SLG optimizes SenSeq to achieve the operational constraints established by Crew Planning.
Step 3: Crew Improve
- In this final step, the SLG reviews all the changes made by Feasibility and seeks to further optimize the award to create an improved solution for Pilots while respecting seniority.

SenSeq

During the initial SenSeq pass, the SLG builds lines based in seniority order attempting to build lines using pilot’s first Preference Group. If it cannot achieve an award based on any of the pilot’s inputted Preference Groups, the system will automatically revert to the Standing Bid Group. The Preference Group is the default Preference Group that is established by the Pilot. In the event there is no Standing Preference Groups, the bid will fall back to the Default Preference Group, which is established by the SLRWG. Sequentially the SLG will validate the legality of the award and if it meets the necessary parameters, the SLG will move on to the next crew member.

During this phase, the lines are build only based on seniority and pilot preferences.

Feasibility

The Feasibility phase encompasses both optimization and schedule completion. Feasibility optimizes awards to achieve the goals established by the company; this is known as Global Constraints. An example of Global Constraints would be if there are an abundance of trips that fell during a holiday, the company may attempt to set a Global Constraint to have awards optimize coverage during this time. Furthermore, there can be instances where schedules are not completed during SenSeq due to Pre-Assignments and the Pilot’s seniority may not be eligible for an award with the remaining trips.

The Feasibility phase works inversely from the most junior award and seeks upwards to solve for a solution. Starting from the most junior pilot the SLG begins modifications by removing trips and reserve blocks. These trips and reserve blocks are then shuffled and reassigned to progress towards meeting company established global constraints. Pilot Preference groups are ignored during this phase as the SLG prioritizes to seek a solution to meet the Global Constraints. While this phase may sound undesirable, this process respects seniority the most and only continues until the SLG has met all the established Global Constraints.

Crew Improve

The Crew Improve phase reviews all awards that were affected by Feasibility and re-examines the solution. This phase reintegrates Pilot preferences and checks that a junior crewmember did not receive a trip or reserve block that could have been awarded a more senior crew member to meet a higher Preference Group award. Once this is verified, the system crew members who were affected by Feasibility and removes their trips and/or reserve blocks. The SLG then reassigns the trips and/or reserve blocks in seniority order to achieve the highest preference group for those pilots. This phase can be time intensive as the SLG continues in a loop to achieve the best solution.

The Bid Process