If the authority has to make a profit how is it they are not subject to the monopolies comission? If a profit is made, who benefits from the return. As far as I am aware they are a Govt agency which is a bit of a get out clause.
We are the customers, not them. The services they provide are not cheap. No problem with that but are they value for money? The companies we work for would be asking the same question of our activities.
The last time I looked, I didn't receive subsidised meals or the equivalent govt rate for mileage. Who audits the authority? Someone has to carry out this regulatory work and it is not as straight forward as we might think, but when petty minded individuals destroy any relationship of trust, questions will always be asked.
Most commercial pilots are responsible individuals trying to pay the mortgage in one of the most regulated industries in the world. If some other "professions" were subject to the same regulation and monitoring there would be an outcry. This makes me proud to be part of such and industry, but I also expect fair and value treatment from the agencies that WE employ - no aviation, no beaurocrats!