Shy Torque, I hear where you are coming from and I used to do all those things too. But I am not allowed to anymore…they are maintenance functions!
I am not allowed to remove the quick release dual controls, remove or refit the doors (which are held on by pins) or remove or refit the seat backs (which are attached with Velcro) they are maintenance functions and it is considered that I am not trained, qualified or licensed/certificated to do this.
I know, I know….but why should I when my employer rebukes me for it, and the regulatory authority can take action against me for doing it.
Fortyodd2, are you sure that your crew really want you to do it, wouldn’t they prefer that it was done by a specialist, a maintenance professional. I am not saying that pilots should totally ignore the procedure I am just saying that they should manage it.
Do we not use the auto-pilot / SAS / Flight Director even though we were trained to fly ‘hands-on’. I have come to believe that there are some things that pilots shouldn’t be doing when there is a better alternative, and that pre-flight inspections is perhaps one of them.