c.a.-- I can only speak of my current position, AJX, but we do not have a traditional bidding system like you are used to in the States. We put in our request for our days off and then they put trips on our schedule. We have no input as to what trips they give us. All we do is ask for days off. There are no "bid packets" published like you are probably used to. Not sure how other airlines over here work but I would imagine they are very similar.
As for commuting contracts, we are on one at AJX. We are provided C-Class tickets or $2000 to purchase our own tickets. We usually get finished with our last trip in time to go home that day. Then we are back in town in time for our first trip.
Upgrades, it is possible at AJX. They tell us around the 3-4 year mark you will start the upgrade process. As others have said, some good people do not pass the upgrade. Now whether they deserved to fail or not is totally up to them and the check airmen. They might be great guys out of the cockpit but when put in command they may be totally dullards. Who knows.
Anyway, check around at the different contracts and read all the posts you can. I came from a US fractional and regional prior to that. I think it is way better over here than at the regional world in the US. I wish I would have done it sooner.