I'm in agreement also. Well done Merc for raising the issue. (Hey Mods, make this a sticky, will you? Pleaseeeeee).
My hope is that the boss of the person who made the comment is highly embarassed by their subordinate and hopes that it will all go away. Because if s/he is not, then the CAA have completely missed the point about CRM and have displayed their lack of understanding. Not very good considering their position.
Firstly, CRM is often based around SOPs (just like the CAA chap/ette said). Does security throughout the UK (let alone Europe) operate to SOPs. Didn't think so.
Secondly, CRM works under the principle that the captain has 51% of the vote. Input welcome but in the end, it's his/her decision. Does this happen at screening? No. There are no decisions. Procedures are made and followed with no variations for input or suggestion or common sense.
A CRM guru will be able to come up with numerous points but it's pretty obvious that the CAA spokesperson either has little if any idea about CRM or quite possibly can't be bothered to to do anything about this potential problem.
As comedian Steve Wright noted: Thank God that Richard Reid wasn't known as the underwear bomber!
Cheers,
Chips