Systems and methods for performing a Control Plane Triggered (CPT) Optical Protection Switching (OPS) policy are provided. A method, according to one implementation, includes performing a first route switching procedure for switching routes between an originating node and a terminating node. The first route switching procedure is configured to operate at a first priority level according to an Optical Protection Switching (OPS) policy. The method also includes performing a second route switching procedure for switching routes between the originating node and the terminating node. The second route switching procedure is configured to operate at a second priority level according to a second protection policy, wherein the second priority level is higher than the first priority level. Also, the method includes reverting back to a home path according to the first route switching procedure after one or more faults, defects, or degradations have been cleared from the home path.