I am also an AF avoider for safety reasons. Even after the inexcusable loss of AF447, there was a succession of incidents (Alpha floor activation etc.) showing that the AF training and standards staff did not recognise the problem that was staring them in the face. I am told that AF pilots are briefed pre-LPC on exact nature of the emergency they will get, when it will occur and what the expected solution is - all as a result of union pressure. That goes some way to explaining the lack of ability and knowledge that others are finding with ex-AF people. And the national influence in EASA suggests it's not going to be tackled soon.