In my case, a lot of people were in circumstances where they could not take more than a few days off, usually because of their job situation or family circumstances. They were routinely excused.

I was called once for Federal jury service. This would have involved a daily trip of something like fifty miles. I wasn't selected, but between the pay and the per diem involved, as well as the fact that I could have taken mass transit instead of driving, all of which would not have been taxed, I would not have minded at all being selected. Situations vary.