DK
Like I said DK we have enough problems ourselves without importing them.
To shoot the messenger is a bit rich DK.If they'd accept they have some issues then fed sec would not need to go public.He is more than aware that damaging the brand helps no one but what damage is done everytime we have an incident?
God help us if they ever lose a hull / life.
Deferral of the chks as stated above by fed sec are really beyond the scope what I would call acceptable.The reasons (time and equipment) are pathetic.At most a one off flt to main base where said time and equipment is available.
How the hell would the "professional" engineer with his/ her CAR authority know what damage was sustained unseen and therefore what was an acceptable time limit on any detailed inspection or repairs if any required? Bad luck if something fell off in the meantime.
Imagine the headline, "qantas 767 xyz fails after inspection was deferred because it wasnt convenient".
Whilst unlikely it can happen, thats why inspections are mandated.
I daresay THAT would be far more damaging than anything fed sec could say.