"From a pure cost standpoint, DTW would seem to be a good base to close. It's senior, so, if you can get senior guys to resign rather than commute, you lower your average pilot costs."

Nonsense, this company will base anyone, anywhere for non of the above for however long they want.

With that reasoning every time a company closes a base, do you think they are looking for pilots to quit instead of commuting?

I know more than a few senior guys that commute (CA and FO), because every company has a base and its never on your city.

It's part of our life. You know this man!