Tech Logs
Going back to the original question - Yes, I was put under considerable pressure not to put what I thought was a serious defect in the Tech Log.
I was supervising Flight Engineers in this particular "outfit" and we were inbound to base. I discovered a crack in a cabin window which was running right across the glazed area. I wrote the defect up and then discovered once on the ground (after having already briefed the Captain) that the page had been removed on the grounds that a window change would delay the aircraft. I pointed out that as we had returned to base (where the facilities existed to accomplish a window change) it was better to do the job there than suffer a pressurisation failure above some inhospitable terrain necessitating a diversion. We had a very animated discussion over the rights and wrong of the situation but I lost the argument. We had flown from Europe to the Middle East that day and the two pilots had already exceeded the number of forgiveable "mistakes" that day so I resigned shortly afterwards.
Another colleague of mine (same profession) was instructed to "carry" a wheel and tyre that in his well experienced knowledge was dangerous. He didn't and paid for his own fare home. I am not going to identify the region or outfit more closely as I still have colleagues flying there. But it does happen. Shortly after spending 25 years as a flight engineer I took up a position as a Training Manager - much safer!