No, they aren't your friend. They are tasked with making sure flights are crewed. I'll freely admit that they aren't always as friendly or professional as you might desire, and things aren't always done the most efficient way. That's just life, though. A lot of people take issue with things like ready reserve, or not being released early so they can commute home. All I can say is that every gig has warts, including this one.

I will also echo what a previous poster said: commuting to reserve is the worst lifestyle choice you can inflict on yourself. Of course you'll be miserable sitting a five day stint in a crash pad and getting called in to repo between DEN and COS. Living in domicile makes it less agonizing. And I do nothing but four day trips as a line holder, but the last year I sat reserve I counted 12 four day trips I flew in an entire year. That's a lot of nights at home that I don't get these days. There is a reason why a lot of people who can hold a line still choose to roll the dice and sit reserve.