1) So far me and my classmates are 8 months in and nowhere close to a hard line; I think I was about 70 spots from the complete bottom hard line. One could argue we are getting closer to open flying lines but they are garbage because of a 3rd step trading process just implemented for hard line holders. This means that hard line holders got another round of trading and bidding and all that's basically left over are primarily red eye flying lines. Not mad about it, seniority is king and it is what it is. The bottom just got a little more rough for us down here. We have, in fact, gone backwards in seniority in SEA because of airbus transitions.
2) Typical lines are hard to quantify with 3 rounds of trading so they all look completely different after the fact.
3) Yes, in SEA, you will work every day, every time. Reserves are essentially ran like line pilots with a lot less days off.
4) It won't matter how many people you have under you while you're not a hard line holder; reserve doesn't factor any kind of seniority unless there's a tie with a flying preference. Reserves are run completely on utilization. That's why you'll rarely see a handful of senior people ever bid reserve because its not a good time.

While I'll be off to the widget soon myself, these have been the best crews I've ever flown with. Great team environment and I've enjoyed the flying while I'm out there. The positives of flying this much on reserve is that you'll get good at the plane and the operation very quickly which has its advantages and I have really liked feeling highly proficient at a new gig.