Okay, I'll bite. I'm a new upgrade and so far reserve hasn't been too bad. First of all, I choose to speak to the schedulers like a professional and with respect. If the tone in the conversation heads south I mention it and refuse to speak with them further. I can accept almost anything as long as I'm treated fairly and with a little respect. Accusing the scheduling department of being henchmen or conspiring to ruin your life gives them way too much credit. They just try to make chicken salad out of chicken $hit.
This company has a long way to go, but it's a little early to throw the baby out with the dishwater. I too have issues with "our union", our mgmt, and our pilots, for that matter. Upgrades are sure to come but my frustration and worry will not fix the problems we have. If we vote for a strike, I will vote in the best interest of my family, my pilot group, and my company, in that order. I see a lot of complaining from people who are very lucky to flying such equipment and with the oversight to protect their inexperienced hineys. I'm afraid that times will never change for small jet pilots for one simple fact: this job is too easy to get and even easier to keep.
I would very much like to see improvements for all pilots. It's called a cycle and we are lucky to be surviving this one with little collateral damage. The last time I checked many pilots are facing concessions, furlough, displacement, underbidding, and outsourcing. We, at ASA are facing none of these. We are growing and our company is profitable. Mesaba, Comair, CCAir, Peidmont, Allegheny, etc. got hosed. It's not even close to being over for the industry. Delta, NWA, USAir, once again have fallen prey to management forced concessions. It's not just you, my friend that's not happy. You could be losing your house, your job, or your retirement that was worth a lot more than our piddly 401k. It's always easy to spot the inexperienced, they want it all right now and regardless of the ramifications. Relax and your precious improvements are coming, maybe not on your timetable but eventually. Sadly, the union does a poor job of informing the pilot group. They tell you what you need to know to be pi$$ed off. Our leadership at the local level is less than stellar and the Big cheese is about to retire while salivating to leave his mark or legacy. He is not the man I want fighting for me in these times. But he's who I got.
I am sorry to say it but if you don't like reserve, don't bid for a Captain position. Yes, the system should be better, but it was broken when you were lucky enough to bid for the seat you wanted. Try enjoying your day rather than being miserable. Life could be worse. By the way, I commute on reserve and knew the drill before I jumped into the deep end.
I guess I've preached enough. May the lashings begin. Please be gentle.