Z, perhaps, but it's also a case of not having enough time nor inclination to type a detailed refutation to a quasi-literate posting. And besides, would you bother to read it if I did? I wouldn't blame you a bit if you weren't so inclined. Some of these discussions are enough to put one to sleep, but I do get really annoyed with people who promote questionable and/or unproven "solutions" to a problem.

For example, someone brought up Ricky Gates and the Gunpow wreck somewhere in one of these discussions (perhaps not this thread). Other than his failure to stop at a stop signal, the biggest single contributing factor to the carnage was Amtrak's removal of the PPR standard derailing track (Amtrak didn't want the "extra" expense of maintaining a switch). This turned what would have a minor red signal violation into a major disaster. But this aspect was quietly overlooked in the ensuing brouhaha. The speed of the Metroliner (10-15 mph over the speed limit) was of no real consequence. The PRR derailing tracks, a company policy specifically to prevent this type of disaster, haven't been revived by Amtrak.

We have, however, been saddled with the random drug testing program, which after the first few years has been so "successful" that about 8 or 10 years ago the companies petitioned the FRA to reduce it drastically because it "didn't justify the costs" born by the railroads. The Unions said "no dice, you wanted the program, let's continue with it", and so it has continued unaltered.

PTC isn't workable yet, and it may not make the arbitrary deadlines in the new law. Cameras trained on the engineer aren't necessarily a solution either. They seem so to the uninitiated, which makes them a readily and emotionally salable commodity, but all they do is trigger sullen resentment, which in itself is unhealthy for safe operations.