Safety Concerns, as a 'Quality' person (I use the expression guardedly!),is this a discussion about safety or money? What’s your organisations policy on opting out & fatigue management?
With many (all?) organisations the opt out form is filled in during your probationary period. Yes some people are greedy, but no more so than any other industry. Fear plays a part, people like to keep their job!
Your naive if you believe that guidelines or recommendations do any good or that all people who sign the opt out are gutless. Until the regulators 'grow a pair' and come up with a mandated set of regulations for maintainers fatigue management, the situation will continue, exacerbated by the economic climate.
It can’t be about money as all you Quality guys earn a fortune! If it’s not the case, would you like any vinegar?