Originally Posted by YourMom

Quality of Life:
I get lots of questions about this. Is it perfect? No. Is it way better than a regional? Yes. Do I still have nightmares over the amount of ready reserve I did? Yes (We don't have it).
Basically we have 3 good things: 1. Line Bidding (no PBS)
2. 4 days off min between work periods (can be 6 days 4/2 or 3/3)
3. Transition Conflict

For example last summer I was reserve 1pm-3am. This period really gives you 15 days off a month because some of the work days count in the 3am timeframe. Due to transition conflict my first 4 days of the month were removed with pay. (19 days off now) Then on the 2nd I'm called for a junior assignment. That JA pays 200%. The next set of reserve days they don't use me. On the next set they call me before 1pm and offer me move up pay (1.5 hours day) for each day. 6 hours for a 4 day to come in to work a few hours before 1pm. So you see the credit is racking up and I still have a lot of days off.
Early release on last reserve day. The trip must fit in the reserve period. You can say no to JAs and they cannot JA you via acars, etc. Transition conflict does apply more to senior folks but it creates open time. If no one picks it up and it is within 48 hours it now has to be assigned to reserves, standing avail (dumb to be on this list), and finally JA calls.