1. I have lived commercial aviation history for the last 30 years. I have the book learning to back it up and the experience to temper by feelings towards uninformed and pathetic individuals like yourself. What you have is pie in the sky ideas fostered through your ivy league tingley-goose-pimples, viewed through your rose colored glasses. When you learn how to wipe your butt and your nose at the same time please let me know.

2. State governments have very little to say. I've been based in New York, New jersey, California, Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and Ohio.

Which states in the list above have more to say on the matter than say...the Federal government? Each state may have differing right to work laws, taxes, workers compensation, and on the job injury, but that's about it. Even in states that have right to work, if your airline has a union, the pilot domiciles in those states will be represented by the union. Care to guess why? Because it's in the collective bargaining agreement, which was signed off on by the company, and the union, and in most cases mediated, or arbitrated by the US government.

If you ever get your law degree or clerk for a federal court let me know. You should discuss the matter over a scotch with your judge. If you don't go that far, then by all means talk it over with some of your professors, or better yet, just call the DoL and speak to an ombudsman, mediator, or arbitrator who has worked in the industry for any length of time.