Well you seem to know it all already so I'm not going to go in circles with you!
Have you interviewed at Skywest or Endeavor yet?

I find this information is updated more often than the profiles page.

Pilot » SkyWest Airlines

If you go to seniority and ERJ on this page (you have to click some of the optional settings), it shows that SFO and ORD are the junior bases for FO's. LAX shows to be only one class behind those bases. PDX and DEN are the senior bases.

How did you decide to go with the ERJ v the CRJ? Were you most interested in the Seattle base? I would prefer the ERJ but the upgrade time on the CRJ is very appealing.

If you chose the 175 now you can still upgrade on the CRJ after your training freeze is over. Might be tough to upgrade on the CRJ having only flown the 175 though but it's been done before.

Thanks for the info. Can you elaborate on 'special rates for transportation workers'? I'm sure (hopefully) my accountant is familiar, and I'll speak to her more in-depth, just curious in pilot speak what that means?

Thanks!

This changes monthly depending on aircraft deliveries. We have had new hires awarded PDX before they finish IOE several times in recent history. With 5 more AK planes coming on board in the next few months, I would guess PDX will go junior again.

Adding to that I'd say that every 175 base, DEN being slightly more senior is "junior" for FO's.

Yes. Denver's growth happened quite a while ago while the other based have expanded more recently. It also has the fewest planes/crews in the system.

Yes. Don't try to claim tips you pay to the shuttle drivers on your taxes.

Your accountant will know. DOT employees get to claim more Per Diem than most (80% vs. 50%). You can only claim 75% of first and last day, and you only get to deduct on your taxes what your company does not pay you. Typically, the standard rate will be simplest, but if you happen to spend a lot of time in NY or Canada, you might be better off using the per-city rate. So you take 80% of 24 hours spent out of domicile, less what your company pays you, and that is your deduction for the day.

If you use the standard rate ($63 for 2016), and your Per diem is $1.85 per day, your company pays you 24 X $1.85 = $44.4 for the day. But the DOT says you are entitled to 80% of $63, or $50.40. So $50.40 - $44.40 = $6 for that day. But if it's the first day, you can only claim 75% of that.

All of this matters only if you have a lot of deductions, usually a home mortgage at a minimum, and perhaps children to deduct. Hard to say for sure if you will qualify on here.