It is all about timing like someone said above! I am in my second regional airline job and have sat a total of 1 month of reserve. The first go around I actually got TDY for the first 3 months so, home was paid for 24hr/7days/28bid period so it was great to get about $800 of free money for per diem. After that I changed bases and had a line.

At my current airline I started at just the "right" time for getting a line in my first base. Three people junior to me sat reserve for about 6 months off and on before being senior enough to hold a line. In my new base which I have been with the second airline for 1yr 3mo I sit at home and am loving life. I fly about 80-85hrs/mo and have 17-20 days off.

I got lucky in the timing aspect as there are people for my airline who have spent years on reserve...it is all about what you can make of it, if it is your dream don't let anyone especially on this board stop you.