Lineslime, I wasn't having a go. I agree with your point entirely and in MY experience the lads do check properly. I accept that this may not happen every time but you have an equal responsibility for your own safety by making sure that people know when you go somewhere dangerous. No need to get defensive, as I said before you guys do a good job with the same limited resources as movers. Can we close this topic of nosewheels now please!
On a more serious note Juliet, your examples are sobering. SAMO BSR clearly knows the situation best and has not tried to bulls*it you there. Remember that the movers in BSR now are on an OOA and may have been working at a fast jet unit MSF, Odiham or Northolt for the last few years and not touched a Herc in that time; this doesn't mean they are not good at their trade, but that their C130 knowledge is not going to be the same as a LYE mover. What if your C130 Eng Det in BSR was manned by techies from Kinloss? (not a dig at Techies Limeslime!) Remember that movers are expected to handle multiple ac types (C130J and K, VC10, TriStar x 3 varients, C17, AN124, B747 etc ad nauseam) and try to maintain familiarity / currency on each. An ALM on the ther hand can concentrate on his specific ac type and is often a useful asset to a less experienced team. I am not in a position to make excuses, nor do I intend to; however, it is always worth retaining some perspective. Thanks for presenting your points in a balanced manner, it makes a change!
MS