I don't see it sucking any more than what we have now. The only thing that makes reserve "OK" now (and apparently this isn't even an option at every base), is bidding 3-day reserve blocks so you can limit the amount of days they can screw with you. If you're giving them 4-6 days of reserve (especially 5-6 days), you're going to get abused, big time. I usually do nothing but 3-day blocks, except after 1-day off, then I'll do a 4-day block. However, a few weeks ago, I had to do a 6-day block because of a string of days off I had to bid for. Well.... with 6-days available, they used me ALL SIX DAYS. It was brutal. I got hit with the first 4-day trip I had flown in over a year, followed by two 1-dayers.

What I really don't like about our reserve system now is that junior pilots in lower groups get to preference their trips before you do. So, if you have 3-days available and you're in group 4 and there are 8 junior pilots in groups 2 and 3 (less GTD), they'll give them their preference first, say.... a turn to MCO, TPA, RSW, NAS (name your good deal turn) and you end up getting hit with the 2 or 3-day trip with MORE HOURS THAN THEM! It's total BS. I always love when this happens with pilots 3,000 numbers below me in seniority.