Jetblue, Virgin America and Southwest go by points now that they all have revenue based frequent flyer programs but I dont see the big legacy players changing the name of miles to anything else (although as OP said, I really think they should be called SKYrupees!). Buried in the tiny print of all FF program literature is always the ubiquitous and foretelling "subject to change" statement so they will continue to do whatever they like until it actually hurts business.

As long as air travelers have a choice of carriers and programs to choose from these carriers will do whatever they think they can get away with to maximize revenue and minimize cost.

What most people overlook within all of this is how the carriers have so incredibly diluted their programs by selling them to users of the various co-branded credit cards. Now instead of having to wear out your ... in a cramped seat to get miles you can just spend your way to get them.

While I still enjoy flying and seeing new places and even at times "flying for the sake of flying", I have friends who have been playing the credit card games and have amassed ludicrous amounts of miles and never spend a dime on tickets or hotel rooms. For that sometimes I feel I wish I had listened to their plans a few years back!

So...vote with your butts, if you dont like a carrier for its FF policy then switch to another. If enough people do this then things may (slowly) change. Just dont hold your breath too long and dont think for a minute that the government will step in...unless somehow a congressman gets inconvenienced!