I hear ya. While it doesn't affect (much) a reserve slug like me, I know it could change our lines. I'm trying to get smart on it so I can educate others and we can do the right thing.
For the wannabes...here is an example of something similar (simplified).
FAA rule that you can't exceed 8 hours of block (flightish time) in 24 hours: I was removed from a trip because the 2 hour outbound leg would have me exceed 8 in 24. The trip offered to replace it had the same block time but split it up into two legs. The time on deck between the legs allowed time to drop off the front of my 24 hour clock so the second leg wouldn't violate 8 in 24. While it met the rule, it was actually harder on me by adding a preflight, takeoff and landing as well as extending my duty day by also most 2 hours (early a.m. flight). The substitute trip met the requirement, but was actually an increase in workload and risk, so I denied it and went home. In this case, application of the rule actually made my life harder and I will (probably) will miss the pay as making up the flight as a commuter can be a PITA.
