BOAC: very good idea.
In the US, many operations, whether small passenger or cargo companies, up through Part 121 companies who (then) operated Learjets up to DC-8s etc, broke so many rules that the public would not have believed that it was allowed. One infamous cargo airline founder taxied in solo in a cargo Learjet. The FAA Inspector said something like "where is your FO"? He reportedly stated "I don't need an FO", started both engines and taxied out.
Much of the US' aviation network operates by breaking major regulations. At some companies, if you have an engine flameout at FL 350 and descend for a succesful restart, you do NOT declare an emergency-this gets guys fired. Imagine the paperwork and aircraft logbook page shuffling! A pilot from near the North Sea flew for a US freight airline. He told me that the DC-6 had an engine fire and as Captain he decided NOT to request priority handling from ATC-he was worried about his job security (welcome to Ami-Land, the company expects them to be a Dunderwaerskerl
? ). The FAA probably is generally aware of this reality: but what has it done?
Here's the rub: the FAA does not want to really know about it. The very highest DOT ranks are political appointees and any serious problems duscovered by the media could embarass the White House's laissez-faire economic policies-as happened in the Reagan/Bush Sr. years. Remember the advent of US deregulation? Check up on a few Department of Transportation Admin. Judges and what rulings from them were "allegedly" linked to their lucrative private sector jobs which followed their government service
. Nice benefits.
Read up on the Valuejet crash and the associated "alleged" FAA cover-up regarding field inspectors' concerns before the crash. The airline mutated and the name Valuejet disappeared-maybe a historical first. Also the "alleged"
FAA's Western Region regarding Continental Airlines flight operations during their strike. Political policies and image were at stake-very high stakes in the early 1980's.
Jummer uppassen
