I pick stuff up as I can to make my schedule work better. On long blocks (5-6 days) I'll take a trip that finishes late the night prior to my last day so I can get home early on my last reserve day. I'll massage it so that I'm at/near the bottom of the list on my first day back which often means long call which means an extra night at home. It's not that hard. Just pick up the phone at 10:59. Of course, if you live in base maybe it's just better to sit at home for now. I would.

I don't know about other new guys, but I need all the extra per diem I can earn as well. Not a big deal probably to folks who've been here a while, but my wife notices the months I don't fly as much. That mid month paycheck sucks enough with per diem.