Permafrost ATPL: The problem might be multiplied by the number of highly-experienced ground crews who were "outsourced".
According to one of our Check Airmen who was on the airport shuttle this winter, one of our jets had only one (1) wing de-iced, and the de-icing crew believed that they were finished. Luckily the passengers were alert and told a Flight Attendant about the forgotten wing de-icing.
Another Captain was told by a different de-ice crew that a stick/wand (used to check for clear ice on both upper wings) was stuck in the upper wing. How did the wand become stuck? Well...the tail is much higher than the wing, therefore the ground crew believed that the tail was the upper wing. The Captain was also the Senior Check Airman. Good timing! Location, location...
Apparently, the FAA allows these same companies to continue to operate and service jets full of women and children
.