Is it really possible to benefit from optimization after publication? Isn’t it too late?
Even after the rosters have been published, changes will occur. Timetables are revised at short notice, planned courses are moved, etc. In addition, actions on the day of operation often result in a lot of rule violations and open time that have to be addressed sooner or later. With roster repair optimization, it is possible to address problems like these in good time, avoiding urgent problems on the day of operation.

Through trying to solve all changes at the same time it is possible to evaluate the full effect of a solution strategy before applying it. This makes it possible to address combinations of minor problems and major problems such as flight re-scheduling or reduced crew availability in a controlled way. The system also makes it possible to delay communication of changes to crew until it is absolutely necessary. Continuous optimization of uncommunicated changes combined with new changes will allow a feasible solution that entails minimum crew disturbance.

How can Carmen Roster Maintenance help to cut costs?
Active roster maintenance can reduce costs in the ‘day of operation’ phase by maintaining the stability of the planned solution, and thus minimizing the risk for cancelled or delayed flights due to absent crew. It can also help by reducing overtime compensation and the number of standby hours. During the roster repair phase, it is also possible to reduce days-off purchase, standby duty used to compensate changes before the day of operation, planned overtime and any payments to compensate crew for roster changes.

We are only allowed to change a crew roster three times after publication. Can we still benefit from Carmen Roster Maintenance?
Quite often, after rebuilding the crew roster to compensate for a change, something else may occur which means the proposed solution has to be changed again. To avoid disturbing crew unnecessarily, it is possible to postpone the final notification until it is certain that the change actually has to be published. This will substantially lower the number of notifications.

The repair optimizer can also keep track of the number of notifications that each crew member has received, giving priority to crew who have not been notified. It is possible to specify what the optimizer shall define as a valid change compared to the original roster (e.g. a duty with the same check-ins, the same layover stations and the same paid block hours could be regarded as a no-change). The optimizer can also focus on crew members who can be readily contacted in advance via the check-in system or via a granted trip-trade message.

How can we use Carmen Roster Maintenance when most of our problems occur on the day of operation?
When problems are solved on the day of operation, other less urgent problems often remain. Addressing problems with predictable parameters before they become urgent on the day of operation will provide better stability. Another common problem is that stability buffers, standby time and shared crew connections are removed during the roster maintenance phase. When the rosters are finally implemented, virtually all the stability buffer is eliminated. With roster repair optimization, the original cost structure and roster stability can be preserved.

Some problems that occur on the day of operation can be identified as potential problems before they occur - warnings from the airport management about possible reduced capacity, rumours of a potential strike, etc. It is possible to prepare a contingency plan for these situations. If the anticipated problem becomes a reality there is already a solution available or, failing that an evaluated method and consequence analysis that can be applied.

What will happen to granted crew requests?
Carmen Roster Maintenance has access to the original crew requests. This makes it possible to find solutions that preserve these properties, even when the original roster is changed. It is also possible to continue the process of granting crew requests even after the roster has been published, if the crew member so wishes.

The Process Specification and Options Basic Functionality Questions & Answers Screendumps Product Sheet (pdf)

If you have any questions about Carmen Roster Maintenance, please contact us at [email protected]

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