Originally Posted by
Mad (Flt) Scientist
But the whole point of delegating such functions is that the FAA (and other authorities, this isn't just an FAA issue) do not have the manpower to do all these tasks under normal circumstances. I frankly don't see an (presumably small) group of (likely) overworked FAA employees doing a task they are less familiar with (due to it having been the OEM's responsibility of late) doing any better job the the Boeing guys.
That there are a lot of aircraft to deal with after a long period of storage doesn't make the case that the FAA needs to do this.
Maybe the implied rationale behind that idea is that they don't **trust** Boeing to do it thoroughly? In no way do I wish to suggest that the technicians on the ground (literally!) are not up to the job or would cut corners, it is more a case of the Boeing management looking for shortcuts, therefore the FAA will have a final say (they've had their fingers burnt once already).