Originally Posted by Funk

Just to go with the silly attempts to squeeze more theme: Accepted an OOBGS to fly ATL-SRQ. GS awarded at 2250 at night, departed just after midnight, with a rotation that said operate out, then deadhead back at 5 am. Shortly after takeoff, dispatch asks us if we will operate the 5 am flight back instead of deadhead, otherwise it will be delayed 4+ hours. We turned down the request without hesitation and went to a hotel to take a nap. It made me wonder, however, if the company ever actually had a crew to fly that return leg or if they were attempting a bait and switch from the beginning? I know I would not have pursued or taken the GS had it meant leaving close to midnight, sitting 2-3 hours at an outstation, then operating back, so did they offer up a GS that looked easy, with the intent to try and get the crew to solve the remainder of their staffing problem?