The rules regarding carried forward defects have in my opinion exacerbated the use of fag packet reporting. In the organisation I work for you are no longer allowed to write up minor defects without referring to technical information contained in the maintenance documentation. The problem lies in that many aircraft maintenance manuals and MEL's do not supply the level of detail required to defer in acordance with this ruling.
As an example a pilot while checking the oil might notice a broken catch (one of four) on the access panel. In the past the engineer on site would have determined that the panel was still perfectly secure and enter a C defect for a future replacement. He can no longer do this. If a spare catch is not available(very likely down route) the aircraft is u/s.
This is all to do with the airworthiness authorities EASA/CAA wanting to remove engineers from the decision making process. This is part of the process driven by the airlines to use fewer qualified engineers to cut costs.
I would encourage all crews to snag it as they see it. Please discuss it with the engineers first to determine a decent form of words and to ensure that the problem is understood. Dont write it in the book and head off to the bar!!!!
I believe that many pilots and engineers feel that their jobs are at risk hence the pressure to continue to operate. Those who's jobs rely on third party contracts feel particularly threatened as the feeling that the contract will not be renewed is always there.
Maybe both pilots and engineers need to bite the bullet and play by the rules. The operators will have to employ more staff and hold more spares.
Finally the word spares opens another issue. The beancounters have reduced spares holdings considerably as to them spares are just dead money. Often when engineers are reticent to see a snag in the book it is because they know the parts are not available.
It is particularly hard when they can see that the aircraft is safe but by the rules should not be flown. It is tempting for both crews and engineers to blind eye a problem till the end of the days flying.
Stick it in the book and say sod it. The punters can all go by train!!!!!!!!!!!