I do agree with you Big J,.
but as you say, that particular airline is not basing a/c and crew in the US but just exercising whatever freedom rights there are.
Would they offer a US base, they would be pressed to hire US crew or crew with a US working/ residential permit. It has nothing to do with a european or individual county thing it is that the US is unilaterally taking rights in foreign countries that it is not granting these countries. (Talk about the visa again!).
Enjoy Texas!
S.