Columbia..argh, you just gave me a shaw AFB flashback.

I've done that sort of commute arrangement before. Bags packed and in the car, uniform pants & tee shirt on...then hang out around the house all day.

Depending on traffic / day of the week sometimes I'd head one town over to give myself a headstart, use the gym, go shopping, whatever. Typically not for the whole 12 hours, but just for the peak traffic (traffic problem was only a few hours once a day in my case). Yes kind of annoying to do that every day but better than hanging out in base for the whole week, and gas is cheaper than hotels. Might want a prius or something if it turns into a long-term arrangement...or a C-152.

We also have visibility on other reserves' schedules and open time so I had some means of gauging risk.