DD, questions and more questions.
Check out :
http://www.airnz.co.nz/aboutus/careers/pilots.htm for a basic run down.
Pilots start on what they want basically.
Some want the senority number and take the first slot.
Some live outa AKL and prefer to commute so wait for a long haul job.
Depends on what ya want.
If you read earlier, if you HAVE your ATPL subjects after 12 months you go to year 4 pay. If not, well...
So stop holding up the aero club bar (not that I'm against that!) and get yer subjects.