Originally Posted by LT Dan

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1) is there a list of which aircraft are based in all the different domiciles?
MEM ALL a/c, IND 767, LAX MD11 (most senior FO base - more than 6 years on property to hold it), ANC MD11, CGN 757, HKG 767.
2) what are the probable schedules for a new hire in the different planes at the different bases?
Reserve at first, in multiple blocks. Then, reserve with fewer blocks. Then Secondary Lines (built from other lines conflicted by vacation, training, etc...). Then regular lines. If the hiring pace really does stay at around 30/month this year, you would move quickly into regular lines, most often best for commuters.
3) are there any bases I would not be able to commute?
You can choose to commute to any base. If you go to CGN or HKG, and choose to commute, there would be no housing allowance pay.
3) Is it true that by taking an overseas assignment, a pilot receives 2nd year pay to start with? or a bump in seniority?
$100/hr I believe for 1st year pay in CGN and HKG. You would likely be more senior, faster, in CGN 757 (and MEM 757) than you would be in say, MEM 777. Overall company-wide seniority does not change dependent on your domicile.
4) I was told the 757 will afford me the shortest time on reserve, can this be confirmed?
Although things are in constant flux, the 757 should remain the fastest track to get off of reserve.
5) I'm seriously considering Cologne or Copenhagen, are there any hidden advantages or disadvantages financially or career-wise I should know about? what is it like being based there?
You could choose to live in CPH, but there is no domicile there, and it would be commuting without housing allowance. Housing allowance in CGN is $42,000/yr (maybe a little more with our new CBA), tax free. Some on here might dispute this, but I flew with very senior captains in CGN, who had been WB captains in MEM/ANC for many many years before CGN, and they ALL said they made more (except for pensionable income) in CGN as NB captains. I found the same to be the case as a junior FO, due to the tax free $ and hotel in lieu of deadhead travel monies (still available for certain lines). I loved living in CGN, and that was a direct result of my wife being so happy there and making friends. Guys I flew with and other FO's, whose spouses/family were not happy in CGN, as expected, did not enjoy it as much.
6) any other pertinent info that would help me decide the order of my preferences?
Hopefully you're given a choice. Otherwise, enjoy the a/c you're assigned. If the hiring pace stays steady, you'll have plenty of options in a short amount of time. Congrats man!!!