airsupport, I've been around nearly as long as you and have in the past seen and done things as you say.Toilet light yes bad example but thats how it is NOW.
The world has moved on, rules and compliance are now much tougher.
Deviation from the amm is not tolerated.The company will not thank you for breaking their or CASA's regs and will hang you out to dry when you are caught .
Yes it still happens but much less and people are less inclined to do so.
You cannot so much as drop one in your daks without a MM reference.
You don't have to like it but that is a fact and it is not just qantas.
anyway, no delays in YSSY that I've heard of from the degreed engineers dispute.