Jeez Paul, whilst your point is taken, you just gotta ask who is RIGHT?
Just because this dopey clown is watching the soccer doesn't mean the runway is actually clear, does it? I know the pilot can make some sort of a judgement, but there are so many what if's?
I don't beleve that just because there are people in the world who have "relaxed standards" that we should lower ours, simply because they sneer at us and call us anally retentive!
And BTW, I have flown throughout the world with both Australian carriers and others, and have never once come across the attitude you speak of.... Doesn't mean its not there, but then I don't care if it is...
And Mr Katter can get on TV all he likes, what goes around comes around.