[Your specific example won't work, since 73N & M88 are in both NYC & ATL. In that case, you'd be depending on your seniority
not to get your existing airplane in the new base.]
In essence, yes, that's what I'm saying. Way too many variables along the lines of "one man's trash is another man's treasure," not to mention that every drop is different, so there's no way to give universal guidance--but, if you can't get the airplane you want for the base you want, bidding something that's
NOT at your base will probably be your quickest way there....
To use your example: since you want ATL, there's nothing you can bid that isn't there, so this discussion doesn't even apply. Let's say, though, that you want LAX717B, and the 717 is more important to you than the base.
Choice 1: LAX717B -- let's say there are none in the drop
Choice 2: xxx717B -- bid for any 717 anywhere, then bid over ASAP; again, let's say there are none.
Choice 3, then, I suggest is anything NOT in LAX, wherever it may be. SO, don't pick anything that drops for LAX, and don't pick 73N or 7ER. Among new hire planes, that leaves M88 & 320 (how CS100/300 plays out for this is TBD). If you bid, say, NYCM88B (or if it's all that's available), you'll potentially be able to bid over to LAX717B sooner (i.e., one year) than if you took 73N or 7ER. In the mean time, you can improve your position by bidding out of NYC pretty quickly to, say, ATL, while you wait out the 1-year clock.
Important to note: if your seniority won't hold a particular airplane at a particular base, it's as if it's not there for purposes of this bidding. For example, in my LAX scenario above, you'd probably be fine if you were on the 7ER, since the seniority for LAX (last I looked) is pretty high on that. How good is your crystal ball...?
None of this applies if all you care about is your base--bid for whatever airplane you think will get you to that base soonest. If you want a specific airplane though*, but can't get it out of indoc, then ensuring you bid an airplane NOT co-located with your preferred airplane is the way potentially to get there quickest.
EDIT: Or, what
Hillbilly said in far fewer words....
*for whatever reason, though this topic came up in context of being "stuck" in the lesser-paying airplane for all of 2nd year and, probably, some of 3rd year pay.