Overview
IMAX (Individual Monthly Maximum) indicates the maximum line award you could be awarded.
If your IMAX is below he bottom of the LCW, you will be paid the bottom of the LCW. Consider bidding Reserve if reserve pays more than the bottom of the LCW.
If you are IMAX limited the top of your LCW will be your IMAX and the bottom will be your IMAX - 14 hours.
Expect your award to show you solved in layer none - this is normal
Pilots who have an IMAX less than 5:15 can still be awarded a carry-out sequence as the “G” rig isn’t accounted for until the end of the sequence. The flight time on the last day of the bid period prior to midnight HBT needs to be calculated because this could be less than a pilot’s IMAX value. Verify the last day of the month is marked as an off day to prevent being awarded a carry-out inadvertently.
The Manual
IMAX: Individual Monthly Maximum
A contractual limit on the amount of flying / credit you can be awarded for the bid month. It is based on both lookback and forecast assumptions.
Bidliner Insight
Tips:
An IMAX below the top of the LCW indicates that you generally have a high credit months and the system has resorted to limiting your future month credited award .
PBS does this by limiting the maximum credit you will be awarded to your IMAX. If your IMAX is below the top of the LCW, PBS will adjust your LCW so that the new upper limit of the LCW is equal to your IMAX. The new bottom of your LCW will be approximately 14 hours less than your IMAX.
The Calculation
1080 Hours (Annual Rolling Maximum)
-XXX ( Last 8 months PROJ)
- 246 (Estimate of Next 3 months PROJ)
IMAX: Individual Monthly Maximum
The Union
FAQ
1. Can I use Pick-up/Makeup if I am IMAX limited?
Not above your IMAX limits. Pick-up/Makeup flying is credited to your PROJ. If your PROJ is IMAX limited, you can only fly for Premium, which is not credited to your PROJ.
2. Can I fly Over Guarantee while on Reserve and IMAX limited?
While current FOS programming will allow a reserve pilot to fly Over Guarantee on Duty Free Periods in excess of IMAX limits, this is prohibited by JCBA 15.C.4.a.
3. Can I be reassigned over IMAX?
JCBA 15.N. does allow a lineholder to be reassigned over IMAX. If this occurs, all flying done above IMAX will be paid at premium rates, and the pilot will be removed with pay, no credit, from some or all of a later sequence in order to bring the pilot’s PROJ below IMAX.
4. What happens if I exceed IMAX as a result of an overfly?
Nothing. Your IMAX will be exceeded for the month, and the following month’s IMAX will be adjusted as applicable.
5. What happens to my guarantee if I’m IMAX limited and I chose to drop a trip, or trade into a trip of lesser value?
Your guarantee will be lowered by the value of your reduced PROJ. For example, a pilot has an IMAX limit of 40, is awarded 36 hours of credited flying and lower end of the LCW (guarantee) is 75. If the pilot trades a 3-day trip worth 16:00 hours for another 3-day trip worth 15:45 (15 minutes less), his new guarantee will be 74:45.
6. What happens to my guarantee if I’m IMAX limited and I chose to pick up a trip of higher value that is below the lower end of the LCW?
You are essentially flying that extra portion for free. For example, a pilot has an IMAX limit of 40, is awarded 36 hours of credited flying and lower end of the LCW (guarantee) is 75. If the pilot trades a 3- day trip worth 15:45 hours for another 3-day trip worth 16:00, his guarantee remains at 75. NOTE: Programming disparity currently pays this value above the LCW pay. Pilots choosing to pick up additional credited flying above their PBS awarded value do so at their own option.
Bid Confidently by watching these videos and refining your bidding strategy.
