It doesn't really matter what base you are initially awarded in ground school because you're home based until you get off IOE and have relocation days (this is running 3 to 5 months from your class date I've heard). In the interim you'll get your first choice by the time you're on line. As far as reserve times that is dynamic due to the rate of deliveries. Unless they have recently gotten way ahead staffing wise, which I doubt, you're looking at a very short time on reserve, perhaps a few months.

Upgrade numbers you're seeing on here are true that day. We had a long time where people with 1000 hours of 121 time who made lateral moves from other carriers were going very quickly, in the neighborhood of 6 months or maybe a little more. I think this is going to change as some of the guys who are new to 121 are starting to get their 1000.

So far, this place has just been a much bigger version of the turd that it has always been, but that's not really a surprise. The SSP numbers will improve greatly once the single operating certificate is in place (I hear 10% a year as a base number) and it's not like American is the only place hiring. Take it for what it's worth: a place to get your time and get out. Despite what the attitude on this forum seems to be, most people are pretty happy working here so don't put to much stock into all of this flame bait, but don't expect it to be a dream job either.