The basing policy has been screwed more this year! Especially if you want a UK base or a base that sees reductions in the winter. They now offer summer only positions in these bases. It just means they have less of a requirement to permanently base you there.
The basing with annual leave are the 2 worst things in FR. Someone asked a senior member of the flight ops department why they don't implement a fair basing policy. I.e. A simple php script that tracks all requests and displays the most senior. The reply was simple "...that costs money!"
It took me 2.5years to get my first choice base, that was with a lot of hassling the girl who overseen the process! command is round the corner and I'm in a base that sees summer only positions so my chances of getting back to my 1st choice in the foreseeable future is slim. I'm not trying to dampen anyone's enthusiasm here but merely write how it is. Eyes wide open!