I don't know what your "friend" could or could not vouch for but anyone that actually works at envoy can look at the reserve list and tell you that any 3 year pilot is bidding reserve by choice.

Senior reserve can offer a much better QOL than junior lineholder. Mainly due to being able to have weekends off, proffering for low time trips picked apart by OTers, and flying the CDOs. A senior reserve pilot could easily fly only 15 - 20 hours in a month and with a TAFB time in the low 100 hrs in exchange for 75 hours of pay. An arrangement that seems to appeal to locals and commuters alike.

Like it or not, envoy is coming out the of the "Deep Stall" it was put into due to the AMR Bankruptcy and US/AA merger. While there is still much improvement needed, AAG has already shown its willingness to put up the money to address the "pilot shortage" and will/is parking aircraft to honor the flow. 13 more flow to AA for July, by the way and back up to 20 - 30 a month after August. Another financial improvement is being worked out as we speak, increasing pay for everyone. (but mostly FOs)