You haven't driven the roads around here, I'm guessing. I used the Konis for over 5 years in FL, but 6 months in PA and I was done.
sorry to disappoint you but i have been to pa, and new york, and i can tell you that the roads are no worse than here in arizona or in virginia. i have relatives that live in pittsburg. i have also been to louisiana, and the roads there are not the greatest either.
as for not using air shocks, you can use them, but you need to use large, thick washers to spread the load at the shock mount. i have air shocks on my 64 falcon with the needed washers, and have had no issues, and that car spent 20 years in pittsburg as a daily driver, even in the winter, before it was retired to arizona where it will under go restomodding.