They used to offer a specific “X” number of positions in specific base/equipment combos. When the last of X DTW 320’s was ‘taken’, for example, that was off the table for the rest of the class. They no longer do it that way. Optimistically, it’s so that they can try to give more people a higher choice from their list. Pessimistically, it allows them more flexibility if they have a large number of people who want/are willing to preference a particular Base/Equipment they need filled.

They are not going to give a whole class the same BES - they spread it out amongst their needs at the time. In your example, they probably won’t even hand out all 63 possible vacancies across multiple classes. But the general ratio of available unfilled vacancies is probably roughly similar to what is ‘awarded’ to NH’s in a given month.

Said another way, given that there are huge numbers of DTW 320, ATL 320, and ATL 73N on this bid, and that many of those will go unfilled by pilots on property, that is where the majority of NH’s will probably go initially in late Feb and early March classes. Also, a lot of 73’s will be awarded spread across the other bases as well. 320/73 had roughly equal number of totals. Remember, if you are on property the day the AE closes, you can bid to change base.

Hope that helps.

Edit: +1 to what Moose said.