Flyle -
You need to study up for a drug test!
While American pilots are fairly good, there is no way that the average American pilot can touch the expertise of either British or Japanese pilots.
I'm a proud American, but there is no way I'd consider trying for the Canadian or British ATP. Their standards are not a matter of refresher training or local knowledge; they want that much more professional knowledge and skill from their pilots.
If you can find the data, check the number of airlines in the U.S. who issue FAA regulations to their pilots. I suspect it's rarely done and you can be certain that an extremely small percentage of pilots buy their own or download them from the Internet.
No regulations - no professionalism - sorry.
I don't mean to knock Americans, but if you get into the 'profits first; safety last' practices of the FAA, there is no other conclusion available.
Grow up dude!