"...-coupled with much more stiff penalties for screwing up."
I once saw a guy take the wingtip off a 747 with a set of mobile steps. He was sacked. Needless to say, he wasn't in a position to pay the $500,000 damage bill. Stiffer penalties only leaves gaol... or death by firing squad
On the bright side.... At least this sort of thing keeps the Sheetmetal Repair guys in a job <img src="tongue.gif" border="0">
Rgds.
Q.
P.S. Rumour has it that one guy drove under an airplane in a small tug... and snapped off the lower VHF antenna with his head. Kinda puts your more yielding materials idea to the test!