Not really accurate, CB, at least not in the big picture. Yes there may be a few individuals whose desired base didn't have a vacancy at the bottom of the list. In 2025, other than Apr, Aug, Sep (which were very unique bids for different reasons), every AE this year has had base changes down well into the 17,000's, with about 17,400-17,500 on the list over that time. In the first six months of this year when hiring is active, there are literally multiple dozens of base changes for NH's, all the way to the very bottom.

There are never any guarantees that your desired base will have a vacancy. The last class in 2025 was May, but after March they were all 9E flows who chose their base/equipment in March when they got their seniority number. They all had chances to change bases within a month or, at most 2, of getting on property, even if only to escape NYC.

For example, July had a SLC 73 at 16,59X, and a LAX 73 at 17,42X. June had a SLC 320 at 17,35X, and multiple SLC 220's at 16,9XX. May saw a multiple LAX 73's at 17,5XX., and a SLC 73 at 17,4XX. Jan-March were wiiiide open.

My point to the OP is, don't stress if SLC or LAX isn't available on the original class offering. There is a very good chance you can change base within a matter of months, if not the very first month. Some folks are even converted by the time they finish Indoc and sims, and never have to even report to thier original base. While it looks like the 73 had the most opportunity in the above, I wouldn't necessarily pick that just because of that. Things change regularly.