Absolutely!

As a PDR guy, I would caution against voluntary 2 way contact before report time as you open yourself to many possibilities that are potentially way worse than spending some additional time at the airport.

From a FAR117 legality perspective, That day’s report time is the basis for all calculations like FDP limit, etc.

You make contact, you are now on the hook if they decide to get creative yet inside the limits of the UPA and FAR. A Soft Start is only 1 of the many possibilities.

My 2 cents

Lee