It appears things will get worse before they get better regarding the canceling & grounding of thousands of flights. This started with Southwest Airlines & currently affecting every airline regardless if they fly the MD-80's. The FAA is finally doing what is was always supposed to do which is regulation enforcement. The latest trouble started with American Airlines. They grounded thousands of flights after The FAA discovered inspectors & the airlines made a mishap on the first inspections. It not so much as an air safety issue as its more of a technical compliance issue. Besides, if it was so urgent the FAA would'nt  gave the airlines 18 months to comply with it. I don't want to give you the wrong impression  because safety is most important. However, the FAA was slow to making any changes. TWA flight 800 explosion happened in mid air in 1996. However, recommendations were made by the NTSB back then to the FAA to make changes for inspections of wiring. So it took over ten years for the government to finally decide that this was a problem when many experts including the military said so long ago. I personally believe this is more of a show case because of the whistle blowing embarrassment last month.