I don't find it to be that bad. Live in Den and commute to LA on the Guppy. However, I started out in SFO and that sucked. The commute to SFO was terrible with 20 years seniority in the back. I have a crash pad in LA and find myself cycling more than flying when on reserve. I aggressively pickup early short calls to avoid red eyes. 50% of the time I hold a line and find that to be more painful than sitting reserve...red eyes and late arrivals that prevent you from getting home. Don't have to show before 10am on your first day of reserve. Most of the time you're catching the 10am flight home on the last day. Every now and then they'll pin you down with something that'll get your panties in wad on the last day...FDO or a short call. Don't get me wrong, there are times when I'll tell the schedulers, you can't do that! Unfortunately they can. Got to know the rules...they do. Last summer I was flying 25-30 hours getting paid for 76 (due to short calls). Line holders were getting paid for 76 and flying 76. Should be a slot opening up in LA in March as I head back to Den. Good luck.