The reserve lines are bid on, and you can bid a 12 hour callout or a 2 hour callout line. The 2 hour call outs can get moved up to "Hot Reserve" as needed. 12 hour reserve from the midwest is certainly possible, but not as easy as being in base.

Most guys are on reserve from 0-4 or so months, depending on the base. There is one guy that is in training now that already has a line once he finishes up.

There are several factors that are driving the number of people on reserve. There are certainly a lot of new people, but we are getting 3 additional aircraft every month (with the exception of Dec 2014 and June 2015 where we are only receiving 2 new aircraft). In addition, there are several people moving to the training department or other rolls still. The training department is still growing by leaps and bounds, with MANY new people.

Here is the math that I am using when people say that reserves are going to get longer, and upgrades are going to stall.

New people per month making it to the line: 50
New lines per month (new aircraft): 30
Attrition per month:15
People moving to training/other: 4

It all adds up to be about even. Growth is in line with the hiring, and reserves should stay short and captain upgrades should stay under 24 months (closer to 18 months).