Agree up to a point AOG but only up to a point. The notion that Engineers (yes with a capital letter because I still have engineering quals) can operate with only minimal support is rather naive. It is the lack lustre performance of the ancillaries which causes the problem, not their existence. It is very very simple to criticise any sector of the aviation community but the point of the criticism is dulled somewhat unless the critic knows what he or she is talking about. I totally agree that a lot of the money is generated by those souls at the end of the wrench but the much maligned CMG produce a considerable fortune by managing and loaning the very considerable component inventory owned by FLS. Just who is going to bring an aircraft to FLS unless someone sells the service? Who is going to pay the Engineers? Who is going to provision the spares? and ..(this is going to be unpopular..) who is going to teach the guys in the hangar to read an IPC?
Come on people - we all have an important role in this business. Let's all make sure that we perform to the very best of our ability and very importantly - lets get rid of the buzz word management and replace them with folks who actually know something about the industry