How easy is commuting as a junior FO from mainland europe? Possible but totally knackering?
On average you'll get about 13 days a month off. Either early starts, so prob have to get to LHR the night before or lates, so go home the next day. If you're not fussed about weekends, you might get a look in at Stage 1 (ie get what you want) which obviously gives you more control over your commuting. Failing that it's blind lines which means you'll work less, and maybe even get longer trips as one of your blind line preferences. The down side is that you'll potentially end up with more days of Time Assignable (which is where they have to let you know the night before if you're needed); obviously not hugely commuter-friendly. Plenty of guys have digs around Heathrow to cover such eventualities (inc reserve months) or enough places to stay for or about £25 - £35.
HTH.