That is how things work in lots of guard/reserve units.

If orders can't get cut til last minute the military member is left dangling until the schedule and aircraft availability are confirmed. Hence, lots of last minute stuff happens in the guard and reserve today that didn't happen 20 years ago.

The entire guard/reserve system is last minute. So, I don't see it as an intentional screw job. I see it as the federal side isn't giving the guard/reserve enough resources to do the job, staff the operation, and fulfill their missions in a timely manner. The ops tempo and unique unit requirements often mean last minute requests happen all too frequently. It's not just affecting PBS organizations like airlines. Same goes for the postal service, and Mr. Goodwrench.

The other side of it that we lost sight of is that the guard and reserve units are being asked to do much, for too long. Both in sustained operations, and in deployment support.