but isn't that fundamentally a chop, strenghten, gut, install, and D-check
Unfortunately, no, there was months of preparation before the chopping started, with large teams from Boeing.
I'm sure there are reaons behind it, I'll see if I can find out.
You would be surprised at what is deemed as 'Engineering' for the purpose of who's cost it is. Cleaning, that's engineering! de-icing that's engineering, there are more but I won't bore you with them. Like I say, I'll see if I can find out.