Originally Posted by
lolwut
This sounds like something that management could easily change over time and pilots could do nothing about it.
If they call you for a flight going out in an hour, their definition may be that 30 minutes is a reasonable time. Other people typically live within 30 minutes of their workplace. Didn't get there in that time? You just caused a delay and you're going to pay.
I'd be worried about this type of ambiguity.
It may seem contrary to common sense, but this ambiguity is the best thing about this stipulation, and most if not all AA pilots would agree. In practice, you will NEVER get flack for sitting reserve 2 hours away from your base. Scheduling may gripe about 3 hours, but I have NEVER seen or heard of anyone getting slammed for it in any way. While I was at SFO, guys sat in Fresno on reserve without a problem. If you know the Bay and how long it takes to get anywhere there with traffic, Fresno can sometimes be practically on the moon.
4.5 hours (the Fresno sit with traffic) is as far out as I've ever heard the term "reasonably available" stretched to encompass. Maybe there's something longer up at LGA.
EDIT: these times WILL NOT APPLY to you in your probation year! You'll just have to suck it up for a few months. It goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway: don't stretch to the limits of the rules when whether you keep your job still depends partly on the (un)happiness of others.