I'm not the biggest fan of the CAA or the RAF, but most of the people who work for the CAA are there on merit, (with the possible exception of FCL, when the phrases brewery,pissup & couldnt come to mind).
Few people realise the work that they put in to ensure that initial standards are sufficiantly stringent to comply with safety and good practices.
The sort of thing that ensures that when an engineer works on your aircraft, he's trained and competent and only uses the proper parts, (no squashed coke cans instead of washers - yes it has happened!).
The standards that ensure that all pilots, atco's, licensed airfields and others at the sharp end of aviation work to the best practices.
I'm sure everyone has their little story about how the CAA have failed them at some time or other - it would be interesting to see if they can back them up.
Far from being office bound pen pushers, the staff who are responsible for this have a wealth of experience and for the most part are genuinely passionate about maintaining standards and helping out whenever they can.
The day to start moaning is when they are'nt there looking over your shoulder, because that's the day the cowboys move in with the invitable consequences for you, your aircraft, and your wallet.
