Reserve, standby, on call: the words are different at every airline and it causes real confusion. Let us define them.
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#1 A European crew member and I spent ten minutes on another thread disagreeing about standby before realising we were describing two different things with the same word. So, a glossary, built by the people who live it. I will start with the US version and someone from each system can correct or add.
US majors
Reserve: a month where you do not hold a line (a set roster). You bid days off and the rest are on call. On a call day you are available from a set time with a callout window (often two hours) and you fly whatever is assigned. Paid a monthly guarantee whether you fly or not.
Line holder: you hold a roster with trips on it. Not reserve.
Ready reserve or airport standby: you are physically at the airport, in uniform, for a set block, ready to go immediately.
What I understand of the European low cost model
Standby: a duty day on your roster where you are at home, available from a set time, with a callout of 60 to 90 minutes. Paid a small allowance if not called, sector pay if called. Not a month long status, a specific day.
Airport standby: same but at the airport, in uniform.
Gulf carriers
Standby days on the roster, similar to European, home or airport, with a callout window. Not the US month long reserve concept.
Where the confusion comes from
A US crew member saying 'I am on reserve' means 'this whole month'. A European saying 'I am on standby' means 'today'. And the pay logic is opposite: the US guarantee protects you, the European allowance barely exists.
Correct me, add your airline, and let us stop having the same argument.
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#2 Wizz, and your European description is right. I would add 'standby block': three or four standby days in a row, which is the version that ruins plans. And 'reserve' does not exist as a word for us.
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#3 easyJet, same as Wizz, and we also have 'ADTY' or additional duty, which is when they ask you on a day off with extra pay. Not standby. A request. You can say no. Nobody says no in year one.
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#4 Emirates: standby days, home and airport, on the roster, callout of 90 minutes from the accommodation, which is why the accommodation is where it is. Not a monthly status. Some months you get four, some months none.
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#5 The pay logic being opposite is the key line. US reserve is protected. European standby is a lottery ticket. Both are called being available. Only one pays the rent.
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#6 Japanese carriers: 'standby' is a rostered day, home based, similar to Europe, but paid at a proportion of a flying day, which is closer to the US guarantee in spirit. A middle version.