The only difference between a commuting roster with confirmed seats and a basing, is that the commuting roster starts in Dubai.
I think all parties would prefer the pilot to work the sector when possible, although sometimes a positioning sector will be required. Commuting in Emirates will involve a lot of dead time and it is NOT a good long term solution for the majority.
Korean have basings but typically (correct me if I'm wrong) deadheads pilots to the base. It isn't an attractive option to me for that reason, I'd prefer to operate and be productive which = more days off.
Cathay bases pilots and some bases are more popular than others, but it works and they are a similar size to Emirates. F/O's on a base have to return to HKG for a command, some defer commands for the lifestyle option. It appears that most pilots could have taken a base in some form in the last ten years. I also heard that they offered temporary bases as well, another option.
There is a lot more to basings than meets the eye. To be content with tickets for commuting is way too simplistic in my book.
Last edited by atiuta; 19th January 2007 at 10:18.
Reason: sp