Originally Posted by
Gunfighter
Successful reserve bidding requires comfort with uncertainty. This isn't natural for most pilots. Think of reserve, especially WB reserve like investing in stocks vs bonds. You will outperform over the long term with some swings along the way. Line bidding is good for monthly budgeting. Reserve bidding is better suited for annual budgeting.
That's an excellent analogy. If a REG pilot picks a month to "try out" RES and gets burned, they're likely not to try it again, just like a short-term investment that went south. It does take a commitment to the unexpected to find the true value.
Then, your biggest problem becomes explaining to your family and friends that you actually DO still have a job, and that the job actually pays you more the less you work. It can be difficult to explain.