yes, long call is the “default.” It’s a position from where they assign you unpredictable short call (and field standby, don’t forget). There is no limit to the amount of SC/FSB that can be assigned. You get 1 hour above guarantee for every unused SC/FSB starting with your 3rd one. Which also sucks because if you then end up breaking guarantee somehow, it’s like you did that for free. Oh, and at your 5th one, it only counts if they were ASSIGNED. So if you aggressively picked up some short call/FSB just to have some predictability in your life, those don’t count.

they will also assign you a short call, then call to let you off that early so they can assign a field standby at 4am. Or give you a 2am short call, then call right at 2am to let you know you have a 5am show.

reserve at United sucks, and it’s downright abusive if you’re a commuter.
yeah, we need serious movement on our reserve rules.