The final answer was that even though under part 91 a flight may be operable past 16 hours, XJ's policy was to follow the more restrictive duty rules under part 121.
The last D.O. at XJ always went with that. Now it is a different game.
I wouldn't count on any help from JR, or anyone from XJ, if any issues were to arrise during this type of operation.
He used to be cool when he was here before. Now all he seems to care about is getting planes out on time. Sure doesn't care about the pilots or keeping them from getting in trouble. Everytime I've had to call dispatch with an issue and gotten him he just says "it's legal" or "all you guys have to do is agree."
He is a different person than the last time he was here.