Flying Lawyer
Fantastic image - it would seem those days are long gone because of the reasons stated in your post.
I never had anything to do with the VC10 apart from some odd bits as an engineering apprentice - what a cracking looking aircraft it is though; especially in that photo.
In respect of the 'offence' committed - although any such flying should only be carried out with the full approval of the management (he obviously was one of the team) to my mind the punishment was innapropriate.
I see that the Cathay Chairman Pratt was on board - a surname that may inspire the rest of the management team.
Regards
Exeng