I can see your point coopervane, but it sucks having done it for almost 2 years now. I agree it's good that the lineholders aren't getting extended as much. I think Air Wisconsin doesn't even put short call guys on ready reserve, but they have ready reserve lines-maybe someone from there can shed some light on that for me.
At AWAC.......
I only ever made the mistake of forgetting to bid once and ended up on RR for a month.
We have RR only lines and generally only 2 CA's and 2 FO's per base. Lineholders and normal RSV's can't be used for RR.
You either get the morning slot or the afternoon slot but you know in advance because you bid on the lines.
You're on for 8 hours, so with our Duty Rig, it works out at 4 hours of pay regardless of whether they use you or you just sleep.
If you get used for something that takes you past your 8 hours, anything over that goes on top of guarantee. So for local guys, you can be home every night and make a bit of extra money. DCA FO RR lines go fairly senior because of this.
The RR lines are 5 on, 3 off, with a contractual minimum of 12 days off.
The RR's are only ever used as a last resort by Crew Scheduling, So things have to be dire, before you to end up being used.
Very specific language in our contract about what has to be in a RR room; Lazy boys, TV, Phone and Fax, etc.