CAL reserve is HORRIBLE. A reserve is a 9 hour call out, paid 72 hours per month and are assigned trips first with a 24hour on call. B reserve is 76 hours (usually more junior) with a 3 hour call out. That's the basics of it. In typical fashion of any large carrier the senior guys sold out the junior guys with the latest contract hence the numerous terrible scheduling issues. The only good thing for new hires is they can bid off whatever plane they're on to 73 ASAP and will hold a line faster - but still be abused. All that being said, still beats my old job 24/7/365 on call. The commute is all about where you're coming from. Mine is tough, but I can drive if I get in a jam. Good luck.