If you live in base, reserve is not terrible. In fact if you do not care about going over guarantee, it tends to be more of a part time job. I usually fly 30-45 hours a month with the "good" months being as low as 9 and the "bad" months being up to 60. I find I am home more nights on reserve than I would with a 4 day trip line and 15 days off a month. Last month was "extra" good in that I didn't spend a single night in a hotel, got called all for turns or didnt get called at all. This all changes with staffing though.

The ability to "proffer" offers a certain level of control not available at other airlines. Although if you are junior, you'll rarely get what you want.

People say that time on reserve "should" drop but never believe anything that "should" happen at the airlines, only what IS happening.

FYI, this is only FO side I am talking about. CA's are being abused daily and continuously. They usually start the day with 0 reserve captains and 10 unstaffed trips. I've had several legs cancel due to no captains.