thanks for that. i think that part of the difference why crew and passengers are valued more by civillian airlines is the risk of lawsuits is increased tenfold as the public are at threat. the aircrew of the armed forces are doing their job and go into dangerous situation under the pretext of war, so who is going to start a lawsuit if the protection is'nt there!?! i bet you pond to a penny that one of the reasons. the government think that they're untouchable. however, the higher up you go the further you fall. i don't lnow if it's of anty use but i know somone who works on the hercules in marshalls. will this be useful?