Crew Planning Specialist

Position Overview

The Crew Planning Specialist oversees the formulation and execution of both long-term and short-term crew staffing plans and processes. Key duties include managing vacancy, Temporary Duty (TDY), vacation planning, and monthly schedule bidding, ensuring alignment with company objectives across all bases, positions, and fleet operations. Collaborating with multiple departments such as Flight Crew Management, Network Planning, Crew Training, and others, this role requires strict compliance with regulations, Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBA), and company policies. The position also supports implementation and automation of new and existing systems.

Requirements

• Authorization to work within the United States as stipulated by the Immigration Act of 1986.
• Criminal background check clearance.
• Bachelor's Degree.
• Minimum of three years' combined experience in the airline industry, specifically in part 135/121 scheduling, dispatching, or crew scheduling/planning.
• Advanced expertise in Microsoft Excel, including formula use for data analysis and workflow efficiency.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills suitable for clear and professional interaction across departments.
• Ability to read, write, and speak English fluently for instruction comprehension and customer interaction.
• Capacity to handle high-stress situations independently in a fast-paced environment.
• High self-motivation and discretion handling confidential matters.
• Willingness to work various shifts including evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.
• Preferred skills include knowledge of Collective Bargaining Agreements, staffing models, FAR regulations (121 and 117), scheduling and crew management software such as PBS, and data analytics capabilities.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Collaborate with Network Planning to generate optimized flight pairings.
• Contribute to the design of pilot and flight attendant headcount models to align staffing with operational needs.
• Develop and prepare monthly bidding documentation and resources for crew members and internal teams.
• Maintain updates in systems such as Merlot regarding base changes, TDY assignments, and bidding flags.
• Liaise with operational and financial leaders monthly to set parameters for bidding periods supporting cost-effective staffing.
• Lead the annual and ongoing vacation bidding process including post-bid adjustments.
• Monitor and manage crew bidding eligibility by coordinating with training, leave, and qualification departments.
• Manage vacancy bidding strategies to fulfill staffing demands.
• Audit bid data to ensure adherence to regulations and CBAs.
• Generate pairing and bid award schedules using Crew Management Systems.
• Optimize crew utilization while promoting crew satisfaction and compliance.
• Perform audits to reconcile bidding and scheduling data pre- and post-bid.
• Coordinate with Flight Operations on regulatory compliance matters affecting scheduling.
• Draft crew schedules manually or using PBS systems ensuring legal and contractual compliance.
• Support Records department by validating crew data before publication.
• Test and support deployment of new or updated crew planning systems.
• Maintain clear and continuous communication across all affected departments and personnel.
• Encourage a positive and accountable workplace culture.
• Work with Business Intelligence to improve bidding and scheduling tools.
• Provide support and resources to Crew Support Administrators in bidding processes.
• Monitor crew attrition and assist in forecasting hiring needs.
• Participate in interdepartmental meetings to drive improvements based on analysis of trends and data.
• Assist Contract Compliance by supplying grievance-related documentation.
• Embody company standards of fairness, respect, and customer service.
• Additional duties as assigned.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This position primarily involves office work requiring frequent sitting, standing, use of computers and telephones, and occasional lifting up to 20 pounds. Work may require irregular hours including shifts in a 24-hour operation with exposure to typical office ambient noise and conditions. Some travel may be necessary. The company is an essential service provider requiring team members to report during national/state emergencies unless restricted by orders.

Equal Opportunity and Inclusion

The company embraces diversity and encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply. It is an equal opportunity employer supporting disability and veteran inclusion.

Benefits

• Profit sharing program
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• Medical travel reimbursement
• Legal, identity, and pet insurance
• 401(k) plan with employer match
• Employee stock purchase plan
• Employee assistance program
• Flight benefits
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave

Additional Information

The role may use artificial intelligence tools during the hiring process for application and resume analysis but final decisions are made by human reviewers.