Whatever
VB and other airlines say, whether it is within the manufacturers guidelines etc etc, the less input a fully qualified (ie LAME) has then the less likely things are to be found. As CASA is now starting to go down the route of EASA style LAME licenses, you will see a huge erosion of the input from LAME's. More and more work will be given to the 'A' licenced mechanic. Obviously some of these are excellent, but at the end of the day the levels of experience for the majority of them is no where near the same as for a LAME. Removing the preflight by a LAME will be detrimentall to safety. As we all know it is all down to money...a LAME costs more.....if it wasn't about money then the airlines wouldnt do it. Simple.