Reality Check
When u discuss bases / availability of bases do so from the company perspective cos that's what will drive the issue. Bases, apart from a very brief honeymoon period circa 1989, are a tool to reduce crewing costs not to put a smile on one's face. So judge the issue against that definitive requirement.
What has become blatantly obvious to all but the myopic is:
1. Company contract and taxation issues and 'complexities leading to costs that the company does not wish to bear' are centrestage.
2. Rostering is more complex with bases.
3. Erosion of expat benefits reduces the savings to CX.
4. Basees cease to be part of mainstream CX - drift off to la la land!
Waiting for a base is akin to waiting for the promised land circa BC.
Oh dear - fish and chips again!