... do you have any firsthand experience working those jobs? I happen to know a number of pilots for major airlines and it's probably one of the nicest middle-upper class jobs you can get (assuming you can handle the responsibility).

> leaning on pilots to fly with the absolute minimum fuel they can get by with, despite regulations

You mean, asking pilots to use the minimum amount of fuel that is safe. Do you have any evidence that a major airline has ever pressured pilots to use less fuel than the (generous) regulated minimum?