That Chief Pilot is letting the ignorant beancounters influence his thinking.
It is risky enough when outsourced ramp "staff" only de-ice one of your jet's wings (or check a DC-9 'T-tail'/horizontal stabilizer and think they are checking the upper wing for clear ice!). True situations this winter.
Don't ever assume that these new personnel (lots of turnover/constant training) de-ice the required areas on your aircraft.
As stated above, no Chief Pilot should have pilots think about the cost or delays required when they see more than a few scattered dry snowflakes sitting on the wings. The cost of the de-icing fluid and resultant delays roughly equals out from airline to airline, and what if it does not?
Take the higher cost difference out of Upper Mgmts' bonuses, as the price for having a safer airline.
