RAT 5, i thoroughly i agree with almost all of your post, but am unsure about the 4/4 finish as late as you like and start before 6 bit. If you finish after midnight the next day is not a day off, and if you start before 0600 the previous day isn't a day off, surely? that's not 4/4 that would be 6/2.
I like your philosophy though. I can't help spotting a similarity between this thread and the problems with another Loco drifting ignorantly towards industrial strife as BALPA don't seem to be able to represent the membership's feelings and aspirations.