Being "on call" can be one of the best gigs in the airline world. The last month I was on reserve, I never turned a wheel. Spent the whole month "working" from my house and got lots of projects done! In my category Reserve can go super senior. If someone has been at any of the Majors/Cargo 19 years and they're "on call," it's by choice.


To add to what other posters have said, I would highly recommend living in base. I live within short call range of my hub and the QOL is amazing. I left one major for another so I could live where I grew up and sit short call from my house. On top of QOL, you career earnings will likely be higher as well. Not commuting will allow you to take the next upgrade much earlier than if you had to commute. Living in base makes it like a whole different job as compared to commuting.