Greetings,

Automated Scheduling Enhancement System (ASES) Update

By Eric Brahm MEC Scheduling Chair

The 24 hour window for TTOT, as described in the online user guide, is not finished being programmed yet.  Until notified otherwise, on a monthly basis, the system will be turned on for all forms of automated transactions when the bids are final at 12:00 noon CST.  At that time, Swaps and Drops will also begin receiving transactions which cannot be accomplished through automation.  There will be a monthly HI6 message sent out informing Flight Attendants of these dates.

In the past all drops which were not granted when processed would be held to be looked at again.  If staffing improved, the drop could possibly be granted later.  This is now only true of Reserve drops which still will be processed manually, no more than 48 hours prior to the start of the reserve duty day that is being requested (Section 8.J.1.b.). These RSV drop requests will be held on file and will be processed by Swaps and Drops on a first come basis.  Partial drops for line-holders will be processed as they come in and either granted or denied, at that time.  Swaps and Drops will no longer retain them to reevaluate at a later date.  All full drop requests must be done through automation and will be either immediately granted or denied.  Line-holders can attempt drops as often as they want.  The lights are determined by the plotter which works on estimated staffing levels.  As trips are picked up out of Open Time the staffing improves and a day can change from red to green. This means that staffing levels are always changing so if your drop request is initially denied, just keep trying.

Switching F/A Positions

The automated system is still not currently capable of allowing a lineholder to swap from one position to another on the same sequence.  However, automation to complete this task is being worked on.  In the meantime, this type of swap can be accomplished through Swaps and Drops.

HIPOST vs. HIBOARD :  Differences and Advantages

In March, when the Automated Scheduling Enhancement System (ASES) was turned on we were also introduced to HIPOST. This gives line-holders the opportunity to post full trips below the line in order to have them picked up by other Flight Attendants.  The HIPOST system works similarly, yet separately from HIBOARD.  For the reasons listed below it could be to your benefit to utilize both systems.

HIBOARD continues to work the same as it always did.  HIBOARD allows you to add more descriptions in your listing, as to what you are willing to give up and or exchange.  It allows you to add incentives in order to entice others into taking your trip.  It also allows you to say what you might be willing to trade into in exchange for your trip.  If you use HIBORD and you don’t wish to have communication in order to have your trip picked up, you need to leave yourself in trip trade mode which leaves your schedule vulnerable and exposed.  Unlike HIPOST, which is full trip only, HIBOARD allows you to offer only a portion of the sequence you want to drop or trade.

HIPOST is more convenient because Posted trips come up automatically below the line every time someone checks OPEN TIME using the N4D command.   Once your trip is placed on HIPOST you can type HIN and take yourself out of Trip Trade mode and another Flight Attendant will still be able to pick up your trip without any communication between the two parties involved.  Whenever a trip has been picked up from HIPOST, an HI6 message will be generated and sent to the posting F/A informing them of the fact.  Trips can be picked up from HIPOST right up until sign in time.  So if you change your mind, you need to delete the posting or you could commute or drive to work only to find your trip has been taken.

Reposting of Sequences after a Partial Trade or Partial Drop

If you do a partial drop of a Posted sequence through Swaps and Drops or a partial F/A to F/A trade of a sequence after you put it in HIPOST, you should go back in and change your HIPOST trip to reflect the alteration. If you don’t do this, it will remain posted but will be inaccurate as it will still have the full trip sequence posted. When the full trip is picked up through automation it disappears from HIPOST below the line. When only a portion is removed the original post will remain in HIPOST.

HIPOST of Transition Pairings

If you are using HIPOST to attempt to drop any sequence that carries over from one month to another, you should check to see if the sequence is on the Transition Pairing list contained in the bid packet every month. If so, you will need to change your HIPOST to reflect the new number. If you don’t repost it with the new number, other Flight Attendants will be unable to pick up your trip using the older and now inaccurate sequence number.