...probably a little more skeptical than folks in the industry who might be talking up their book (metaphorically) about where the breaking point actually is.

As a semi-regular flier (we take 2-4 trips per year), I'd rather not probe where the actual breaking point is. Thankyouverymuch.

Otherwise, you could end up with the Potomac crash being a routine thing.

But it does highlight to me that the folks who set this policy were probably thinking more about federal employees that sit in offices and draft regulations, rather than having in the front of their mind a federal employee like the folks who staff the FAA Academy.

Yes. Because, frankly, they're stupid. Very few people engage in that activity, as you indicated. There are armies of clerical workers shuffling paper (vital paper, but still paper). There is the staff of BP, the VA, the SS administration, the FAA, FDA, USDA, and on and on. I don't know the numbers, but I'd be surprised if even 1% of the workforce is about drawing up regulations.

In fact, I don't think they can draw up regulations without administration approval...the administration sets the tone, and the workers respond. Correct?