I have heard that the popular bases are in the UK, Ireland, Spain and Italy, the others less so except to locals, so a Canaries base is comparatively easy to get. However, how you play it is up to you. Cynics may suggest you let mgmt know you don't want to go there in order to best secure it - they do seem like to cause as much upset of basing as they can.
Space pig, I think tho only believers of the propaganda are those pushing it! They're now as short of FOs as Capts, both now routinely doing 100/28. There will be no hours left for the winter schedule. I have heard a rumour that they don't have enough TREs to run the command and cadet courses. I'd be interested to know it that's true.