If not, is there a better way to do this other than having the client first try our local service, and if no candidates are found, then try the ESRI service?
How about including ArcGIS online locator services in a composite locator in ArcGIS Server v.10.1.1 (SP1)? ArcGIS desktop crashes when I'm trying to publish such composite locator. Any advice/help from Esri?