then some would likely die in the process since GA flying is quite a bit more hazardous that airline flying
No, GA is more hazardous primarily because of GA pilots making poor flight decisions so I have hard time with the premise of your argument that a professional ATP pilot flying in GA airplane is automatically at much higher risk level, there are many safe pilots who fly GA their whole life and never get into any trouble. Yes, some pilots will always die - for example crashing while driving to the airport.
