How the reserve guarantee works at US carriers, with an example

For the candidates confused by 'guarantee'. On reserve you are paid a minimum number of hours a month, around 70 to 75 at most majors, whether or not you fly them. If you fly more, you get more. So a quiet month on reserve still pays the guarantee at your hourly rate. It is the floor that makes year one survivable. Example: 75 hours times a first year rate in the high 30s is your gross before per diem.