73qanda I hear what you are saying about an FRMS not being a cure all. I have operated under the CAO48E when it worked fine but it has now turned into a Frankenstein. As a colleague stated it has turned rostering into a work, eat, sleep, work cycle and with the limits being turned into targets its not going to get any better.
I do agree with your statement:
What is the answer? In my opinion a regulator with real leadership that implements sensible non negotiable limits and mandates FRMS to operate within those limits thus forcing Airlines to hire sensible numbers of pilots which will in turn increase ticket prices by $2.50 per sector.
but that is more an aspirational statement that will never become reality. Too many vested interests and political games for it to become either a CASA or airline policy.