FS - right there with you, in concept - just don't want to expose the good guys to cheap shots from many contributors to this site...
You have well stated my thoughts on where the industry has gone - you sound like check and trainer who actually gives a toss about those you are responsible for / to, rather than a "box ticker" who panders to the bean counters / management (AS - you getting this?). Given it's a skytrans thread, based on my experience there, you wouldn't have lasted long.
Wonder if they've had a paradigm shift - let's see... Cactusjack - the MOFO to whom you allude, who seems interested in standards and not just the pretence of them in favour of the bottom line, has he lasted more than 6-9 months??