We revisit the abstract framework underlying the fibration method for producing rational points on the total space of fibrations over the projective line. By fine-tuning its dependence on external arithmetic conjectures, we render the method unconditional when the degree of the non-split locus is ≤2, as well as in various instances where it is 3. We are also able to obtain improved results in the regime that is conditionally accessible under Schinzel's hypothesis, by incorporating into it, for the first time, a technique due to Harari for controlling the Brauer--Manin obstruction in families.