Getting back to Global Reserve - There are ways to work it in your favor too. I have been on global reserve off/on for the past year+ and even as a commuter - I like it better than regular reserve (obviously line holding is best). Definitely review the reserve guides / DYK / PDR, but there are ways to work Global Reserve in your favor too. For example, I had a 4 day block of reserve last week, followed by my HDOs. I APU'd a 3-day global trip on day 0, commuted in and flew day 1, and returned to domicile on day 3. I then had 24 hours off because you can not 'report' for a new FDP until 24 hours have passed after a global trip. I commuted home on day 3, and the 24 hours off made me nearly a pumpkin when I became eligible for an assignment on day 4. This was essentially an extra day off.

Of course I have been assigned flying into my RDOs, and that can be frustrating if you have plans at home, but also have had my days restored into days I actually wanted off, so you win some / loose some.

This is just my experience, and I have no doubt that Global Reserve can be the bane of others existence - I just wanted to provide my experience.