I admire your honesty not only with yourself, but with the rest of us. Unfortunately, during lulls in hiring, the airlines can be picky. You very well may be qualified in your eyes, and you may be qualified to do the job, but you are judged by your history and a piece of paper. I hope your persistence pays off and you are able to clear your name of any misinterpretation caused by your history.
If it makes you feel any better, I've been in the business for 11 years, and I was just told I was not qualified to fly an airplane I've flown before.