Earlier this year the FAA was heavily critisized by a congressional committee over lax enforcement concerning maintenance of a couple of operators.
So the FAA needs a show of tough line of enforcement. The result enforcement over *pilot* voilation.
The paperwork trail that will accompany this kind of enforcemnt will be huge and stretch the FAA further in light of..
Congress delays decision on FAA funding again
August 1, 2008
With the days before Congress’ summer vacation rapidly dwindling, the FAA funding conundrum continued last month. In late June, Congress bought itself three more months when it extended the agency’s current funding and programs until September 30. Lawmakers now have extended aviation funding and taxes five times since they initially expired on Sept. 30, 2007.
they're going to need more funding to cover the enforcement.