As a mem 11 fo who is getting ready to go north, I've been looking at anc for well over a year now, and I can't see how you can break even as a n/b fo in mem. Here's how I am thinking, let me know where my mistake(s) are:

Year 4 WB FO at 134.49 vs. 114.76, so basically $20 more an hour. Add the $7 international and you're at $27 more an hour. In Nov this goes to $138.52 vs. $118.21, so it still stays at ~$27 more an hour.

Even after the excess bid closes, I'll be a line holder. Considering I'd have to make 1 or 2 trips TO ANC a month and 1 or 2 FROM ANC, I can't see how the extra costs in ANC make up a ~27k difference per year. Most guys around my seniority have a crashpad for ~200 per month, and I'm assuming I'd have to either go to a hotel or a bed & breakfast in ANC once or twice a month, which equates to ~$150 per month.

As for commuting, I go to and from MEM probably 3-4 times a month, which is not fun. Granted, it sounds easier than ANC, but it still stinks. Also, you do not have jumpseat protection for reserve in MEM, only 13.5 hour protection for trips. As for the nb trips (per my seniority), they really stink compared to the 11 trips.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't see anything close to a 27k difference.