I would submit that congress (Oberstar, et al) are holding the hammer over our careers much more than the FAA these days:
- Age 65
- User fees (A big threat as long as W is in there - a sure thing if Mac replaces him)
- Open skies (another big threat / sure thing).
Meanwhile, the FAA can't even accomplish simple rule changes like the Oxygen Mask At 25K rule or the Naps In The Cockpit Rule.