Big Tudor - the constant theme of the anti-mil SAR brigade has been that we are too expensive and a gold-plated option and there has been a persistent belief that it could be done much cheaper.
That belief took us down the road of SARH which, apart from not ever putting a cost on mil SAR, has gradually watered down its grand principle of 'no less capable a service' so that what will come post 2012, unless someone does something brave about it, will be a less capable service (with 2 less flights on 24 hour cover, how can it be anything else).
Why has this happened? Money and profit, not capability or efficiency. The chances are that the 12 hour plans might be reversed once the public outcry is heard but only after the winning bidder is confirmed - then, when the politicians moan on behalf of their constituents, the Govt will have no choice but to hand over more cash to increase the contract provision. A neat trick to get round not being able to bring the project in on cost.
The AW139 was introduced as a new era in SAR - cheaper, faster, more efficient but, in their eagerness to start making money from the newly won interim contract, the contractors skimped on the aircraft lighting and were incapable of ensuring the autopilot modes were cleared for use. The result - no overwater night winching capability for the whole of the Channel.
This latest idea to fill the back end of SAR helos with cheap labour is a cynical, money driven move which shows no respect for the sacrifices and bravery of SAR winchmen/winchops and is only being done because the parent company is trying to reduce costs where it can because that is their driving force, not the provision of the best SAR cover it can get.
For non aviation themes look no further than oh so many computer systems that were promised to create efficiencies and save money - coming in late, over budget and needing more cash thrown at them to get the job done. It seems to be the way of modern business - promise the customer the earth and then blame unforseen circumstances when you can't deliver but have the contract sufficiently well worded that you have wriggle room to avoid ever being penalised financially.