OMS, your timescale and mine differ by some years. You: 80's to 90's. Me: 2010-2014.
But we have both seen the same practices, and shown our concerns, indicating the longevity of error and continuance of this folly from the pre-H-C era into the so-called 'new' MAA.
As in many civil companies when a new management takes over; all that really happens is the Coveralls that staff wear change colours. So the same old practices are still in place in the 'new' MAA organisation.
"If nothing changes, it'll stay the same." Tern Hill, ASF toilet, 1970's....(it made me laugh then!)