That's absolutely right. There is a reliable line of true Phillips drive
bits available in the US made by Apex in the standard 1/4" hex
interchangeable format, see
http://www.coopertools.com/catalog/pdffiles/apex/apex_ft_cat.pdf .
Unfortunately most cross-slot screwdrivers tend to be a hybrid between
Phillips and Reed & Prince aka Frearson, and fit neither one correctly.
(Phillips is a 60 degree angle point and the blades are thicker in the
middle; R&P is a 90 degree point and the blades are nearly flat). Many
screws in my Airstream are actually Reed & Prince.