I’ll unlock them and get the yellow lights (our “two lights” callouts). Give it a Mississippi seconds pause so it is ready and then pull it up to second detent. By then the nose is on the ground or close to it. Not yanking them out and pulling hard. That might create the SWA at MDW overrun problem.
The 800/900 NGs do use reverse basically as SOP, considering we don’t use the full runway and aim for turnoffs. Eg, 16R in SEA is 8,500 ft long but we get off at N or P (Q latest). Flaps 30 V target speeds typically higher 140s, lower 150s with the 5 knot correction. Our procedure is to use TRs, mostly detent 2.
I’ve noticed with the HUD deceleration display on landing, no brakes and just max reverse will initially get the equivalent of autobrake 3 deceleration. As you slow it’s obviously less effective. But they are really good. My own technique is to only use TRs til below 100 knots, then touch brakes. Doing that never gets me the hot brake shudder when coming to park at the gate. I’ve seen some guys touch down and really get on the brakes, and the brake shuddering is guaranteed on taxi in to park.
The -900 (non ER) are pigs. Their Ref speeds are even higher than the 900ERs. My line check recently was on a -900 (non ER). LAX-SEA flaps 30 ref was 151, plus standard +5 so final target speed was 156.