One potential fix for this would be to enable automatic extension, but formally give crews an easy ability to retract it at any time with no penalty, no forms of any kind to fill out and full pay/immediate hotel accommodations if applicable. That seems like a reasonable compromise.

If extensions were always assumed to be "off" until a pilot enabled it on a case by case basis, that would create tons of situations where crews would have to track it on the taxi out, etc and perhaps take off illegal despite a fitness and willingness to extend. So I get that portion of it logistically from the company's perspective. However, no pilot should EVER be "pushed" or intimidated in ANY WAY to accept an extension or to remain on one once accepted.

And no, refusing or cancelling an extension is NOT a fatigue call. It should be a no questions asked, zero pushback pilot's discretion call to make.