Some of what you say is flannel
Like what ? I'll happily defend what I wrote.
Of course things will go wrong. Of course AT guys will screw up just like any other category of pilots. Of course the expected level of service we all think we're entitled to fall short sometimes, even more so when the AT fleet is working beyond it's means.
The problem is that people expect British Airway / Virgin schedule keeping / results on a military budget. Which doesn't fit.
So my question to you is surely someone from the same colour uniform and shared ethos and values is also able to recognise these points and not make a blanket statement about all AT pilots ?
I'm sure the guys that have been Comp A'd from overseas will have a different story (as the letter and cards of thanks that arrive on my Sqn weekly seem to show)