Unless something else changes, it will actually be a net loss to there number of 777 crews required. Right now, we DH all the crews to/from LAX to fly SYD, PVG and NRT. Open an LAX 777 base and all that DH credit time goes away, net loss in 777 pilots required to man the trips.

Here's a quick example. Right now, the LAX-SYD trip blocks about 28 hours but pays 38 due to the two 5 hour DH legs to/from ATL. Today, a senior pilot would bid two SYD trips for a line worth 76 hours (2 x 38).

Once you open a 777 base in LAX, that same pilot will need to fly 3 SYD trips to build a line, for a value of 28 x 3 = 84. Yes, he'll be paid 8 hours more net, but he'll be working 50% more to get those extra 8 hours. Oh, and the company saves on all the hotel rooms and per diem too.

Now, subtract all the credit DH time in the LAX-NRT and PVG trips, and you see there will actually be LESS 777 jobs in the end.