[Embraer]

well, i've seen the scheduling from both sides of the fence, because i've done both jobs. as for the pilots bidding their schedules, yes, they do. however....a schedule will be "legal" on paper (which still takes in account up to a 15 hour duty day). a guy might be scheduled the max of 8 hours of flight time, but when you consider sitting around for a 3-4 hour sit between flights, weather or maintenence delays, you can easily pop into a 15 hour day. there are extremely complex compensatory rest rules that must be followed, but again, "rest" is when you're not flying an airplane. "rest" is when you're waiting 45 minutes for the hotel van to pick you up, checking in, undressing, brushing teeth, etc. there were nights where you'd get 4-5 hours of sleep and then be back at it the next day, for another full day of it.

As for ATC, not everybody works a 2-2-1 schedule. some guys work 5 straight days, some nights, some do 4 ten hour days, etc. i work 2 afternoons, and then 3 day shifts. done at 1500 on sunday, go back to work at 1500 on wednesday.

again, the public needs to be concerned with pilot schedules and fatigue issues.