I agree getting based "home" is probably the most important part in this job. But the way SAS operate has made it "impossible" for some very good experienced guys to return home.
I don't know what the starter pay is now, but I would imagine it would be 75% pay cut for a skipper to come and join in the right hand seat.
The ones I know at best end up working part time / and commuting, and it still works out better than starting Ground Zero at SAS.
The options are unfortunately limited purely for economical reasons.
However I wonder if the creation of SAIL could have been avoided if they had been willing to change the current seniority system that exists, as SAIL in itself is a threat to anyone working main SAS company.
Also I find it strange that SAS are not able to provide a fixed roster pattern, as I understand this is one of the main reasons for their strike.
Is there some kind of seniority bidding system with SAS for flights?