1. I fly base lines often and rarely commute more than 2 times in a PP (4 week block). There are 7-11 pairings, sometimes yes, but they are blocked together so you wouldn't commute per pairing but per block. You can also trade stuff around to a certain extend to make Base lines quite palatable. They also have quite a few commercial positioning and depositioning DHs.

2. I got a decent schedule since my first bid period off IOE. Nothing I really wanted but nothing horrible either. The times I got some crap thrown at me I was able to trade into what worked for me. A couple times I've traded into schedules that would make guys at the top of the list envious. Guys I know that started within the last year aren't complaining about their lines or their commutes, but all look forward to more seniority to make things easier.

3. The common saying here is that the difference in bid awarded schedules of the senior guys vs junior are that the senior guys get the days off they desire, junior guys don't but everyone is flying the same stuff.