While I don't necessarily disagree, this is where (from what I understand about) virtual basing was so different than fixed basing. Since it could be moved around willy nilly by the company month to month, it wouldn't be as predictable to plan, say, a family around, in the same way that fixed basing does. The company creating an actual new base is a huge commitment on the company's part, to the point that it can actually have some degree of predictability on the pilot's part as to where/how to live. Virtual basing is/was a totally different animal from that perspective. And it doesn't take a stretch to fathom that virtual basing could have the downstream effect of reducing fixed bases, credit, premium pay, jobs, all at the same time.