There are fair points in each response..
Yes of course there are basings, but since there is no seniority on base as they continue to accept new pilots the international flying dilutes away from your base. You cannot operate to and from a LHR or FRA base any longer.
Do the original pilots on the base receive preference, no - so now they operate mainly W patterns to FCO or MAD.
What happens when the base is too full for even that?.
Whilst YVR, MEL and SYD don't have a problem at the moment, they could soon be in the same position as LHR and FRA with the addition of more pilots.
I'm not sure that Domestic will be seen as inefficient by CA - inefficient for the Foreign Capt's days off isn't really their concern.
There is no talk of a reduction of international flying, just the addition of Domestic.
Domestic and Regional flights will be operated by a Foreign Capt an F/O and a Co-Pilot (aka Radio Operator). Until now, an F/O many much like a CX cadet SO wasn't allowed to operate below FL100 on International Flights - instead only the Foreign Capt and Chinese Capt were in the front seats.
No instruction yet whether they can be PF.
Regional (Korea, Taiwan) are still international though no, only the tip of where logic is omitted in their decision making.
For the fairness of those considering joining.. this thread is simply to highlight the reality verses what you might be told during the selection process. It's not the worst job despite the post, but be sure to understand the conditions you and your base will expect.
But it will all change next roster..