What GeeWizDriver said is 100% correct. I flew into IAH maybe 2 or 3 times in 12 years. Mostly owners connecting to a long International Flight. I saw Hobby and Sugarland a LOT. In fact the city owned FBO at Sugarland was my 2nd favorite FBO after Pontiac, MI (Pentastar)
You may have a shorter drive to IAH but you'll spend more time in cars in the long run. Of course some trips you'll just airline from IAH but a significant number of tours will start at Hobby or Sugarland. At the end of the tour would you rather Uber/Lyft HOU-IAH then drive home or just drive home from HOU?

I’m IAH based. Rarely do I go to hobby or sugarland. I’ve been on the latitude since June and haven’t started out of hobby or sugarland. I will pass through there on a tour. On the phenom it was a couple times a year for me to start out of hobby or sugarland.

That's good info. At least Meitnerium could start with IAH then quickly switch to HOU if his experience was different.

Thanks for resurrecting this thread. Could someone explain if the HBA list of airports is still available at all? Sounds like not to new hires but possibly to pilots on property at some point? I could make a commute work for while to one of the crew bases but would want one on the HBA list at some point should I get hired. Thanks for your info. if this is even still a thing given the age of the original post that is...

Never expect it, but be grateful if it happens. If you're making your decision based on the HBA list, go somewhere else or commute to the airlines.

Can any new hire pick any crew base on day 1 or is there still some sort of seniority based bidding system?

You pick your crew base. There are provisions to change your base, a 7 day notice is required. This is not the same as an airline base where they only have specific aircraft and number of crews that can be based at an airport.

The HBA list is not available to new hires. Only the Crew Base list.

That said, every so often, more people are allowed to opt for the HBA system following a union-company agreement to modify the CBA*.

*Past performance is no indication of future returns..