PJ2:
can any MD80 fleet type operators tell us if these engines are FADEC controlled?
Not an operator (or even a professional pilot) but I'm pretty sure the answer is no. JT-8D-200 series aren't, as far as I can remember.
And as for the "ban all non-pilots" calls, is it really worth potentially throwing out many babies with the bathwater for the sake of not having to put up with a bunch of idiots for a couple of weeks a year at most?