I got "give yourself two flights, don't get to three commuting events in a rolling 12-month period, and you'll never hear from me" directly from an East domicile chief pilot. This is in line with the formal commuter policy at my former carrier and with what I know of the policies at other companies as well.

Not discussed in this thread yet: Do you think AA's policy of pilots not allowed to ride in flight attendant jumpseats (plane leaves with empty seats) will prevail? Or will US airways policy win (the way it should be - all seats available)?

Us air isn't allowed to either.

That wasn't Airway's policy, it was AWA's policy. Thanks to the East FAs and the new FA contract covering both East and West, that sweet deal no longer applies. I'm sort of looking forward to bumping the spouses and children of FAs when that 3rd jumpseat option isn't available. I'll be telling them, "I guess mommy should have been a little smarter about the 'we can't ride in yours so you can't ride in ours' policy."

Pilots occupying FA Jumpseat was an AWA policy, east flight attendants insisted pilot access to FA Jumpseat be removed in their new contract. It's gone.

Fa couldnt get all her family on the plane just yesterday as a results too left with open JS because pilot had no choice but to take his sa3 seat left her hubby at the gate.

WD at AWA

Technically not correct.

Trip book requires check in 30 prior. Also required the JS to be issued 15 prior.
Causing a delay with a last minute fight over a JS us a good way to lose travel benefits. Most CA's won't allow this monkey business that close to departure anyway.
I don't care if you're seniority #1 in the company... If its less than 15 prior and the other guy has already stowed his gear and is hooking in the chair. It's over. You missed check in; and its already been issued. If the guy wants to give you the seat, that's his business at that point. But there will not be a delay to make that happen.
We don't get too many on the pond hops anyway.

Technically not correct.

Trip book requires check in 30 prior. Also required the JS to be issued 15 prior.
Causing a delay with a last minute fight over a JS is a good way to lose travel benefits. Most CA's won't allow this monkey business that close to departure anyway.
I don't care if you're seniority #1 in the company... If its less than 15 prior and the other guy has already stowed his gear and is hooking in the chair. It's over. You missed check in; and its already been issued. If the guy wants to give you the seat, that's his business at that point. But there will not be a delay to make that happen.
We don't get too many on the pond hops anyway.

Can Airways pilots reserve the jumpseat ahead of time when they are non-reving on vacation too? or is it only from a designated "commuter" city to the assigned domicile?

Jumpseat can be reserved on any flight with no restrictions. Just be the first to call 7 days in advance and its yours. Only the faa or a line check can bump you