slim-slag, I was making the point that just because people complain a lot about an organisation we should not judge it on that basis alone... I think anybody who has been to the USA and flown could not help but be impressed and then rather disappointed that the system couldn't be brought home!
The issue goes beyond cost (although cost is a major indicator that the UK has got it wrong) it's about attitude and how the CAA is (often) civil servant heaven staffed by a lot of ex-mil types supplementing their pension etcetc
Just remember that any critisism of the US can often have it's roots in plain ol' ENVY. (Except that US forces do tend to bomb their allies a little more often than is ideal). What cannot be denied is that the USA allows for a lot more opportunities, not only in aviation, than dear old Blighty...something to do with freedom, isn't it?