As for Question no. 1 from above...the number of hours varies.
We don't really have a reserve system like other carriers have in place. Let me 'xplain that...
Atlas has always run a very tight ship with staffing levels that would make other airlines very nervous. I normally have my awarded trips plus a couple of days of reserve to fill up the month's schedule. Those reserve days are usually filled with flying duties.
For those junior guys that can't hold a line of flying, they are "awarded" reserve lines. By the time the 1st reserve day arrives, most of the reserve days are taken up with flying.
At least, that is how it is on the 400 at Atlas...