PLovett
You put your finger exactly right on it.
The problem with our whole regulatory regime and that isn't just aviation is that we still suffer the remnants of post colonial rule and the Brit/Euro way.
"we are the government and we know better so do as we say"
The US fought a very serious and devastating War of Independence to get away from that exactly that attitude. It was the bedrock on which their subsequent success was built.
"here's the basic rules and what we want to achieve and we trust you to get on with it" with the caveat that if you dont there
will be consequences.
Recent evidence is the huge fines paid by Southwest and American for what were relatively minor oversights. Whistleblowers or not that's the only thing at the end of the day that gets the message across. Sure the FAA aren't perfect but at least you know where you stand.
Opspec8 in GA terms is really starting to bite even if it is a bit late. We need something like this in Australia to clean out a few cupboards.