Helicopterhelp,
I think that you are correct in what you say about the gap between customer and engineer, but I do not think that you suggested solution is the way forward.
As an ex-engineering/maintenance manager, do you not feel that it should be an opportunity to educate. In my opinion, and using your example, it should not be down to the customer to have to pay an external company to find out whether they need a new boost pump or whether they can have their U/S one repaired, that should be down to the Maintenance-Engineering Manager/Chief Engineer or whatever that person is called in your organisation to give the customer the options and to give the pros and cons of each option.
I am not convinced that a customer will save as much on an inspection as they would have to pay to get someone to look over the machine pre-check and liase with the MO throughout.
You say in your post:
"I get calls off people who want to put their machines with us who have had massive maintenance bills"
Does this mean that you are currently "involved" with an MO, because I think I would certainly question your intentions (rightly or wrongly) if this were the case.
I would expect something along these lines.
"I work for XYZ maintenance organisation, and I can have a look at your aircraft before you take it to your MO, and tell you what actually needs doing" Then, when the big bills come through, "They are having you on, come to XYZ, we'll do your maintenance, they are obviously up to something, overcharging you and doing work that is unnessacery!"
Also, you seem to have changed the wording in your posts from "I am an" to "we are", that is why I ask the above.
You didn't really address the issue of not spotting something and the repercussions, any further thoughts?