Williamtown Class E Stuff-Up?
I have heard a number of rumours (after all, this is a rumour network) that some airline aircraft are entering the E at 4,500 feet without a clearance when VMC exists, and at other times they are actually levelling off at 4,500 feet when VMC exists, increasing the risk to their passengers.
Anyone who knows the US system would know that an airline aircraft would never level off if climbing in Class E in VMC.
Such an action would just simply add to risk and probably end up with the aircraft hitting a mountain top.
The main point about Class E is that if it is used correctly, it has the advantages of Class G when VMC exists and the advantages of Class A when IMC exists.
Of course, a small number of people in CASA and the industry have refused to allow Class E to work correctly, ie. if you are on an IFR flight plan and you haven’t got a clearance, keep climbing when in VMC. That’s the only safe and sensible thing to do.