The QF1 departed late again yesterday after E & I guys found more dodgy repairs to EEL Lighting on VH-OJQ during maintenance checks. You guessed it - ex SIN D check A/C. More staples along with lockwire used to repair the strips in an attempt to maintain an electrical circuit. Not only that but the protective cover strips were incorrect material. The correct protective covers specified by the manufacturer are specifically designed to prevent damage and maintain the integrity of the system during service. What the geniuses in SIN used instead (probably due to a lack of correct parts) were decorative strips of fibreglass used to fill the gaps on cabin sidewalls.
The EEL lighting was replaced to the correct standard by QF personnel yesterday but an EA had to be sought from Tech Services for the continued use of incorrect cover strips until the correct material can be fitted at a later date. Yet again another example where our guys on the floor and Tech Services have to fix up the sub standard workmanship of overseas MROs all in the name of cost cutting.
If we were found to be performing maintenance on ATLAS A/C to this standard and were found out during an FAA audit QF would have their Workstation Authority pulled before you could say Singapore Sling.