"If you have not been assigned by 4 hours prior to the end of your RAP you are automatically released if you are going into days off."

This is not correct.

If you are going into Vacation, Block of 3 off, Block of 5 off, or they have already worked you into one of your Blocks of 2 off, then you can self release 4 hours prior to the end of your RAP.

I called them once, 6 hours prior to going into my block of 5 off to see if they would release me so that I could enjoy an afternoon beer with my bride. They said no... I asked for 2 hours of grace and they said no... what in the hell could they have possibly done with me?

I do like your suggestion on bidding specific days off in a RAP. I also agree that we need more guaranteed days off per month. I firmly believe that we need shorter RAPS. This 14 hour RAP, easily and often extended to 16 hours is stupid.

Zone flops (call you in AM and tell you that you are going back into rest and will be flying until 0159 that night) happen from time to time but are easily dealt with later that day with a fatigue call, assuming you couldn't get proper rest since you just woke up... Who on God's green earth could possibly think that telling someone who just woke up from 8 hours of sleep to go back to sleep so they can fly late into the night is a reasonable and safe thing to ask?

I also agree that the add on stuff gets old. I've been assigned a 2 day that turned into a 3 day that turned into a 4 day that turned into a 5 day that would have turned into a 6 day except that I tapped out and called in fatigued on day 5.
I will say that I have never been worked into a day off. I know it does happen, but it is rare and therefore not something I worry about. If it were to happen, a fatigue call would probably get you home sooner and hopefully solve any personal problems or conflicts.