MungoP
No offense.
What makes me tick though, is that since lately, for obvious reasons, a lot of regional aviators from the US apply for jobs further away. Going through the same assessment as their counterparts from the rest of the world, believe us, they don't really look too good. And the rest of the world has some meteorological surprises up its sleeve that matches the US's.
So most probably this argument is a bit streched and chucks is somewhat closer to reality!
The FAA has some mopping up to do, as it now transpires.