Buzz
Perhaps I can try and explain why N Sea pilots working out of Aberdeen are reluctant to say anything? It's to do with what is considered (rightly in my opinion!) to be an overzealous reaction by the fire crews in Aberdeen.
Why are the fire services put on full alert even with a "technical diversion" when no Pan or Mayday is issued. By not raising at least a Pan the crew are stating that they do not consider the aircraft to be in any danger whatsoever, yet they will still be met by three or four fire trucks racing around with blue lights flashing and sirens blaring. All good fun for the fire crews I'm sure! What's even worse is that no matter what you tell the fire chief over the radio he'll insist on "escorting" you to the apron.
I don't believe the major issue is press coverage (although it always seems to get there - helped by bored fire crews it is rumoured!), it's more to do with the over the top reaction that results.
Is there any way the rules can be changed so that genuine emergencies (Pan/Mayday or if requested by the crew) are met with an appropriate response. But if I return because of an autopilot failure, or my undercarriage won't retract but is down, or I get some other minor defect that is not allowed in the aircraft Minimum Equipment List the all I want to do is land and taxy to the apron without fuss.
Any chance common sense can prevail and allow a rule change?
Perhaps an answer to the specific issue you raised at the start with regard to the chip warning was hidden in one of Lu's responses. Whan a newly overhauled gearbox is fitted, you will probably get a number of nuisance chip warnings being caused purely by build debris as the gears, etc all bed in. If the aircraft did have a "new" gearbox and there had been a recent history of chip warnings then I too would not have said anything but just turned the aircraft around!