I thought that strategy doesn't work because of "base" seniority. Some "veterans" told me the proper strategy is to bid CLT now and just do my time on reserve there until I have company seniority to hold R1.

Per your suggestion, Dubz, I could be living the dream as an R1 in CVG, and when I see crew members close to my date of hire holding R1 in CLT, I would change my base preference to CLT?