Originally Posted by BalloonChaser

OK, so the "airlines" have lost some passengers over the past few years to a few "fender benders." (Let's call it an even 2000 dead for a highly inaccurate number!) Anyway, the media in their quest for ratings will air the "dramatic" and "graphic" footage (repeatedly for effect) and promptly set up a panel of "aviation" experts to voice their opinions on whether or not "flying is still safe?"; "Are pilots properly trained?" "Qualified?" "Rested?" "Too young?" "Inexperienced?" - Etc! Seriously!?... Is this what I pay taxes for?
(Now for the soapbox moment) My point is simply - The FAA, Gov't, Media and highly misinformed John Q. Public will convene meetings, hold hearings and stare at the TV questioning whether or not pilots should be allowed to fly planes, commute to work, etc. and never realize that in the same timespan (3 yrs) that we've "lost" those 2000 - 100,000+ people have died driving in the US alone!
I think if the FAA/gov't/media wants to even entertain policing how we, as "highly paid professionals," get to work and regulate our sleep then they may want to mandate that everyone get's a "proven" 8 hours of rest (without the consumption of alcohol) before they sit behind the wheel of an automobile and head out for ANY sort of driving activity.
Quite frankly, that would save a Heck of a lot more people and is a much larger problem (as is many others) than wondering whether or not the Capt. on your flight to Rochester got enough sleep!? Seriously? You have more of a chance of getting killed falling off a ladder (or driving to work listening to a broadcast questioning aviation safety) than you do flying on the airlines! Yet the media continues to hammer the industry everytime there's an accident! Seriously!? Can't we help them find a better "crusade!?" I think it's time to see the forest for the trees...
Sorry. I rant because I care...