There is no real way to guess and historically what has happened is just out the window because things are so dynamic. Plan on three to six months of reserve. But if they throw a 145 class in there and get stuck, it could be forever.

Commuting to reserve is a special kind of he11. Most reserve lines are five on two off with a four on and three off in there someplace. Depending WHERE you are commuting to and from determines how commutable anything is. There are ways to push your first day late and slowly work to an early last day. But depends how the crew schedulers are and what flights you get tagged with.