A friend got me a 60-day subscription and 5500 "Cartel Coins" for Star Wars Old Republic.

I have played off and on since launch. I have a 50+ Juggernaut, Guardian and Commando, though I don't remember much of the story for any of them.

My questions being:

Which class should I level first? My favorite part are the class missions/story and companions.

What should I buy with my cartel coins? Packs? Companions? Equipment?

Bonus Question: Crew Skills, which ones?

Did they change the way companion alignment is displayed? I see the text in conversations but it seems like it used to show a portrait with a number?