So if you bid “last out” on reserve I assume you could expect to have at least some of those reserve days at home. Can you pick up normal trips out of open time on your days off, and have those go above guarantee?

You can't pick up any normal time on reserve.

For example you’re on reserve you’re getting 72 hours no matter what. And say you pick up 20 hours of flying on your days off. That’s a 92 hour pay check right? And yes I’m aware that this plan can backfire if they use you on all your reserve days.

If they fly you above guarantee or you get some move up pay (1.5 hours per day) for a pairing you'll be paid whatever extra over guarantee.

Also, how often are these X/Y calls occurring? Isn’t it extremely rare?

Summer is good for it, weather events, meltdowns, etc. However, you're on a master list for the year that tracks your premium credit earned, and as you earn more premium, you go further down the list. Then you're relying on those above you on the X/Y lists to turn down the phone call for you to get it.

And just to add my 2 cents to the first year pay. Yeah it won’t knock your socks off but it’s a small price to pay to be joining such a great company that offers great pay a few years down the road and a good pilot group to boot. Any regional guy turning this place down over first year pay is a clown in my book. The QOL and pay at regionals is a joke.

We've beat this to death on this thread, but almost all of of us think this is a career airline, not simply a stepping stone for year one pilots.