Ditto, Moonshot. I've only got 18 months on property and have seen WILD swings in each category. Get to your base of choice first and foremost! With the hiring going on, you're going to be happy with any plane you're on. I commute, so I think the Green Slip Mafia is highly overrated. To green slip as a line holder means you fly your entire monthly line, and then on your off days you agree to fly more for GS money. It's seldom worth it to me... I have a 10 yr old, a 12 yr old and a wife, all of whom I love more than GS pay.

For disclosure, I took an ATL 320 in Sep14. I did only two months on reserve and have been a line holder since. The #1 guy in my class took the ATL 717 because it was a "growing category." He literally spent his first 6 months as the 717 plug (the PLUG!!) because the category opened in NYC and grew there. In the past 12 months I've fallen almost 10% seniority on the 320, so I'm going to the ER (for several reasons). It's been a great ride so far and I've been very happy.

Had I taken the 88 out of training I'd probably be staying on the Mad Dog because my seniority would be so high, too. Again, my point is that you're going to be happy with whatever you choose, and if you want to mix it up later it's only a 1-yr seat freeze. You'll have even more choices at the 1-yr point.

I'd take advice from Captains and senior FOs with a grain of salt. Airline pilot hiring over time is never linear. We are in a big wave. Don't be afraid to be bold or contrarian in your choices. But again, get to your base of choice.