Ian,
It would probably also be useful for you to look at the consumer side of this issue. There is increasing public concern at such "efficiency" measures by operators.
See
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpag...50C0A9679C8B63 for example and do a Google search on "airline passenger consumer organisations safety" or similar.
I suspect that most of the travelling public would prefer pilots (like my son) to be properly rested, focused, etc. Ultimately everyone's life and safety is at stake and operators who continually push the limits of good sense and safety are going to cause serious incidents if we let them...
Good luck on your project.
Federal agencies who bow to "industry pressure" (notice this is usually business owners, many are cost cutters rather than profit growers) and forget their obligations to the whole of the industry who ultimately depend on the consumers (passengers).
Regards!