When I started this thread, I should have added that I have always subscribed to the "Big Boy" Theory which says we are all Big Boys (and Girls) and ought to be able to police ourselves. I've managed to successfully commute for 12 years and try to practice safe commuting, coming down the night before when necessary, keeping a crash pad, etc. I think you should punish the few who don't practice safe commuting, not regulate the many who do.

However, we all know that the FAA is famous for their tombstone mentality in that they move at a glacial pace until prompted by passenger deaths. Add in a good old public uproar, and some pressure from the New York Senate delegation and there's no telling what they will do. Unfortunately, the public will latch on to the most sensationalistic aspects that may or may not have anything to do with this accident. For right or wrong, the ones that have sparked the most media/public furor have been sterile cockpit 'chattiness' and crewmembers who commute on redeyes and sleep in crewrooms.

You can bet that the next Fed on your jumpseat will take a keen interest in Sterile cockpit procedures.....and if I'm correct, Colgan already broached the idea of pulling random CVRs to monitor for the same thing (something that should cause the full wrath of ALPA). I'm just hoping they don't come up with some equally ridiculous 'fix' for commuting.