"The FAA, after all, is mostly concerned about "best SOP.""

Untrue!

Having been the lead in developing SOP, training and the receiving FAA "stamp of approval" in the past, I can tell you this and most of other statements (including the UAL/CAL Mgmt's "developed in consultation with the FAA") and any notion the FAA seeks the "best SOP" or even the "most safe" training, checking and operational methods is completely without merit and untrue. The proper phrase should rather be, "adequate and in compliance with FAA guidelines and regulations."

The facts are it is up to the airlines and corporate aviation departments to develop and establish programs within the regulations and guidelines of the FAA and this does not mean the "best," it means the minimum. In the non-121 world the corporations who insure the flight operations are by default the regulators and not the FAA. Why? Because the requirements for insurance coverage are more restrictive than those of the FAA.

Therefore anyone who expects a "whistle blower" who cries wolf about a FAA approved operation will receive attention by the POI who gave the approval is just kidding themselves. In the case of UAL it is John Martin, the FAA POI, who has put his stamp upon the "multi-phase" SOC process who holds the cards and it is highly unlikely his superiors will intervene and over-ride his decisions. Additionally, when the SOC process is complete it is highly likely he will retire from the FAA.

ALPA did a good thing by filing the suit but they lost, so let's move on and get our joint contract.