Blind Pew,
I'm with you all the way on this. I can think of many examples of crews being coerced into illogical scenarios. Some, indeed by more "reputable" carriers.
Worst case (now long ago) was an SC-7 cargo operator. 12500lb gross be damned - they regularly flew (Part23) aircraft at 18000lb plus.
I spoke to a pilot more recently who had flown for them - complain and you were straight out of the door.
I made the point earlier about this type of operation generating a lethal subculture. Ignored.
But nonetheless the boy racer, gung ho attitude is manifest in so many areas. In those so young and inexperienced I can almost hear the boasts of how we got in.............
There's NOBODY looking over their shoulders. This operation allows so much to slip through the net.