System bidding is actually pretty simple since there is only one aircraft type and base assignment is based on seniority.

Initial base and IOE preferences are submitted on paper about 1/3 to 1/2 through training, if I recall correctly. You can bid for any base and it was before simulator training. You'll find out your IOE base when they assign your IOE training schedule a couple of weeks before you're done. We also updated our electronic schedule preferences and system bid at the same time we submitted our paper IOE preference worksheet. The exact date in training might depend on where in the system bid timeline they are, to ensure your system bid is processed before your first line schedule bidding occurs.

IOE base is determined by a combination of your stated preferences (desired base and where you are commuting from) and check airman availability. If you have special considerations (weddings, graduations, baptism, etc) you can ask training scheduling to help out but they may not be able to accommodate your requests. If you get an IOE trip during an event that is *really* important, you can ask the training manager for intervention but it's going to have to be a really good reason. Good news, SWA actually cares enough to let its managers and chief pilots make these decisions as long as there isn't a contract issue. My class had a couple of these special circumstances and to my knowledge they were sorted out ok.

Consolidation month base is a normal bid based on pure seniority, but you get a regular line the first month to ensure you get your 100 hours quickly. Right now new hires inevitably get OAK their first month after IOE, but the most senior people in a class might only have to spend one month there depending on where everyone else is moving. After LAX grows and settles down, LAX might end up the junior base depending on if it sucks more or less than OAK for commuting to reserves there. You'll find out your base a little while before bidding opens for the next month, so your graduation date and IOE schedule will determine how quickly you get your base assignment and when you'll be able to bid for your first month's line.

It's possible that the first month's real schedule bid will occur before finishing the type rating checkride, so pay attention to the bidding timeline.