Jcuervo,
1) When the -200 goes away. One year....Two years? You will get off the -200 when Atlas decides you can bid off.
2) I would say JFK which is also the largest base. But ANC and HSV get to Dubai as well. Some trips start with a deadhead JFK to Europe or Dubai, but there aren't many. The base system and gateway travel is geared for US residents. Overseas residents have to get to the US then the company will buy a ticket to where the aircraft is. If the first operating leg is in Europe or elsewhere then travel will most likely pay for a ticket as long as it is same or cheaper than what is scheduled (international travel is business class, domestic is coach). I know a guy who lives in Dubai and lets scheduling know at every opportunity he lives there and is available to fly in and out of there and invariably has to self-commute to the US to start. Go figure.
3) YES. It seems the -200 guys rarely break guarantee (50 hours first year, 62 hours after) and deadhead alot (DH pay 1 for 3) and have long layovers. -400 folks tend to be busier and have many more minimum rests but have many more opportunities to go over guarantee.
Don't base your decision on a job whether or not you get assigned the -200. You are very likely to get the -400 OR maybe a "light twin" if you join sometime this late summer or fall.
Keep in mind that a new contract is a mere few months away and all expectations are for better pay and work rules (already agreed to but not disclosed by union or company). Only scope and a few minor issues went to the arbitrator unresolved.
Hope this helps.
ACP