How is it though, when I return to my room that first night there is a sheet placed under my door telling me I'm now operating a flight 20 hours earlier (tomorrow). Do I just throw the sheet away and not show up? The last time this happened I didn't acknowledge anything. When I showed up at the desk the next morning for the new flight I was the only other guy there on the 2-man crew.
Well, that is a little trickier. Ask yourself, "is this good for me". If you are staying in the hotel, then it will be pretty tough proving that you didn't get the message. Wether it is a blinking light, or a "kite" under the door.
The reason that it is a bit tricky is that the current system has run on good will for a very long time. Now that most pilot's good will has run out, people are questioning "why do I do this...this isn't my responsibility". So, we are gonna go through a transition of sorts until in a few month's time they will come up with a more direct system that spells out responsibilities a lot clearer.
So as far as guidance, you would be correct in not showing up to that notification. But, on the flipside, you will get a phone call at your wake-up time. Early notifications are a tough issue because a lot of times it equates to getting home earlier, which is hard to be against.
As far as getting sheets, who cares. The important thing is that you know when you have to repport. DO NOT LET THEM TELL YOU THAT THEY WILL CALL YOU WHEN THEN NEED YOU. If they tell you this, you tell them that you are not on reserve and that you will not be contactable. Unless they change your roster, they can't put you on reserve at a whim's notice. Make sure they give you a sign on time if your flight is delayed. period.