AN ACR MDT PLT COMPLAINS ABOUT SHORT LAYOVERS THAT ARE LEGAL BUT DO NOT GIVE PROPER REST FOR THE CREW.

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DAY 1 OF 2-DAY SCHEDULED TRIP -- 6 SCHEDULED ACR FLTS FOR 14 HRS OF DUTY. 8 HRS 40 MINS SCHEDULED REST WHICH INCLUDES 30 MINS EACH WAY TO OVERNIGHT HOTEL. BY THE TIME YOU WIND DOWN FROM THE LONG DAY AND START TO SLEEP (XA30 AM); I ONLY SLEPT 4 OR 5 HRS. DAY 2 OF 2-DAY TRIP. WAKE UP; SHOWER; DRESS AND MEET CREW IN LOBBY FOR 30 MIN RIDE TO ARPT. ANOTHER 6 FLTS SCHEDULED TODAY AFTER SHORT SLEEP CYCLE; ENTIRE CREW IS TIRED. SMALL ERRORS AND OVERSIGHTS OCCUR: DIDN'T CONTACT GND CTL IN MLI. DURING TAXI OUT IN SPI; I WAS MESMERIZED OR IN A DAZE FOR A FEW SECONDS AND HAD TO CONCENTRATE ON PAYING ATTN TO TAXIING. SLOWER REACTION TIMES AND FINDING MYSELF CHKING ITEMS 3 OR 4 TIMES WHEN IT ONLY TAKES ONCE OR TWICE ON A NORMAL DAY. I BELIEVE REDUCED REST SCHEDULES SHOULD BE OUTLAWED -- THEY ARE DANGEROUS. MY COMPANY AND THE FARS CLAIM THAT IF YOU ARE TOO TIRED TO FLY; TO TAKE YOURSELF OFF DUTY. BUT IF YOU ARE TIRED; HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE FATIGUED OR NOT? MY COMPANY WILL HARASS PLTS WHO CALL IN TOO FATIGUED TO FLY. THEY WILL ALSO DOCK THEIR PAYCHKS FOR FATIGUE CALL-INS AND HAVE EVEN DIRECTED PLTS TO THE COMPANY'S FAA DOCTOR FOR EVALUATION FOR PHYSICAL OR MENTAL DIAGNOSIS PROBS; THREATENING THEIR MEDICAL CERTIFICATE AND JOB SECURITY. REDUCED REST SCHEDULES ARE LEGAL; BUT THEY ARE NOT SAFE. WE NEED LONGER REST PERIODS.