Many years ago I was at a base meeting where the head of crew resources was speaking about the low hours reserves actually flew, vs. the 70hrs. they were being paid. He said he would like to see EVERY reserve flying at least 70/mo..."That's what we pay them!"

So I raised my hand and asked, "If you staff the airline so that every reserve is already flying 70 hours, every month, just to cover the regular schedule, what are you going to do when the weather gets bad and now you NEED reserves?"

He said, "That's what Green Slips and assignements are for."

So, there you go. I don't see them hiring until every reserve is flying the monthly max and they have trouble finding enough guys willing to answer the phone on their off days.