UPS places new-hires where there are openings or shortages in the system. If not enough FO's bid up to Anchorage on either the MD11 or 747-400F, then that's where new-hires will be sent. It's very possible that someone that flies -400s at, say, Polar or Atlas today could be flying the -400 at UPS in 2007, as UPS has been staffing the recent MD11 new-hire classes with pilots that have heavy jet time.

If the -400s and MD11s were all based in SDF, this all would not be the case. The fact that Anchorage is so far away makes it a very junior domicile-- regardless of what airplane is there.

This creates an advantage for those pilots who are flexible: 1. it allows a much faster upgrade to captain if you're chasing dollars, and 2. it allows anyone on the property within their first year to fly an all-glass widebody at UPS, even (perhaps) a brand new 747-400F.