Originally Posted by
gloopy
This.
Its not a hard 2 hours but rather "reasonable report" for which 2 hours is about right under fair conditions. Unexpected traffic, flat tires, etc can apply if reasonable. If the CHA pilot in question is 2-3 hours (I assume that was said because of traffic adding that extra hour) then most of the time s/he would need to either be in position or at least be closer. Some car commuters drive part of the way and hang out at a mall/movies/coffee shop/gym to hedge their bets.
That said, it would probably depend on the flying seasons. Peak seasons likely mean don't even bother, just be there. Slow months with good coverage maybe hang out somewhere in the Cartersville-Kennesaw area.
As a reserve-by-choice bidder (rolling thunder), I will add that in all my Short Calls over the years, the vast, vast majority of rotation assignments came well in advance, and not as a “get here asap” call. And even more often, I never got called at all…
Always be in position to report. Don’t be like the 747 pilots a few years back pulling DTW short call from home in California/Florida. But, no need to super-stress over getting to the airport. If they call, the best answer is “as fast as I safely can”. And like gloopy said, 2-hours is
not written anywhere, becaus it’s
not a rule. But it’s a good guideline.