thanks for that Finncapt - I'm on a smallish fleet (767) but I'm about 3 or 4 off the bottom at the moment however blindlines are keeping me happy at the moment. For now I'm ecstatic with the novelty of not being messed around, working what was published on the roster, not having 20 duty changes every week, not having 'makework' standbys filling up the roster, feeling my way around the network, seeing all (or most) of the destinations, staying in good hotels that are actually expecting me to arrive and even have a room booked for me, having a great organisation wherever I go and having a uniform that doesn't look like it came from a clearance rack at Primark.
Once theres a few more people below me next year and I've got a feel of what I prefer I'll start making some sensible bids ( and heed your advice well!)