City Flyer-
With respect, I think you have completely missed my point. London may have all the French people in the world, all the restaurants, same food etc... But its not home and never will be. You can't quite quantify that really; You can't replace home. And 6 years seniority in BA on the 320/737 (or being very junior on a LH fleet) wont allow you much of a life as a commuter. It may work for you, and good luck to you if it does, but most not from the UK will eventually want to work somewhere closer to home, as is human nature. France is probably a bad example as far as my point goes because obviously it's not a long or difficult commute to LHR/LGW but for someone from a rural part of Eastern Europe, for example, they will find it difficult at times and wonder if it is all worth it. I can tell you this as I am doing it myself and I have friends in many airlines in various parts of the world in all manner of ranks/seniority all trying to do the same.
Anyway, I digress...