Originally Posted by Leroy Smith

If hired on the CR2, you could get ATL, IAD or DFW. CR7/9 could be ATL or DTW. I think the seat lock is 18months so you would be stuck with the bases for that aircraft, but you could base swap within the restriction anytime a bid comes out. We have gone almost a year between bids in the past, but there is usually something every couple of months.

There really isnt any typical reserve schedule. The only thing you can count on is your inviolate days: 6 days a month that you know you WILL be off. The other five days you will PROBABLY have off (if they roll one you do get it back later). You may fly a lot, you may fly very little. You can be assigned up to 6 ready reserve periods per month. You may fly, you may not. You can get assigned a really nice 4 day or get called out to taxi a plane to/from the hanger. Once you get called, you can be extended/rerouted up to FAR/Contract limits at scheduling's whim. Never leave the house without being prepared to be away for less than 6 days (unless your Guaranteed Days Off are coming).

If hiring is strong, you may hold a line in 1 month or less. If hiring stops, you can be stuck on reserve indefinitely.

Reserve can be tolerable (even desirable in some cases) but for the most part, you have very little control over your schedule or your paycheck. Know the FARs, know the contract and LOA/MOUs, practice how to argue with someone who is trying to screw you without getting emotional about it, live in base or find a good crash pad, and be very, very Zen......

Any specific questions, there are plenty of folks here with recent reserve experience. Just remember, YMMV......