I Just love the way that an oil rig worker becomes an aviation expert with no training in the matter. It never ceases to amaze me how when ever there is the slightest problem with an aircraft be it eng or flt safety related the press and every other joe on the block knows what the problem is and how dangerous it is! I'd like to see the look on the face of a few oil company managers if on approach to a rig the pilot said the rig was not safe to operate.
As for flying with snags, well that's what the MEL is for.