Yeah, I've gone back and forth on this one too. One thing I now know for certain though, is that I'd take 5 day transcon turns over just 1 of those perfectly legal early-start-transcon, day sleep, redeye, day sleep, redeye nightmares that we have quite a few of. No contest.

I agree that figuring out how it can all fall apart in an IROP is the key, but I assume that the no-kidding 16 hour day will remain the 16 hour day, regardless. Otherwise I'm way against it. That said, I don't see how delays leading to a 16 hour crew day in a day transcon turn scenario could be even close to as bad as delays leading to a 16 hour day in the previously mentioned nightmare pairings.

For the record -- I know there are lots of folks who like those pairings because they're hyper-productive and lots of us were screaming for more productivity. So I'm glad those pairings are there for you. I just think you're whacked.