Eboy - are you reading the same websites as me? I have just checked out British Airways (they employ more than 50% of all British airline pilots in one form or other). They had one crash in 1976 over Zagreb resulting from a mid-air collision for which an Air Traffic Controller was jailed. That is it for them! To suggest that somehow European main airline safety is worse than the good ole' USA is ridiculous. And then to speak of the Europeans in the same breath as KAL is frankly laughable. As recent events have proved, no airline is exempt from the spectre of crashes, and none of us should ever crow about how good we are.
What I do believe is that in each of Australia, Europe and the USA, an enormous effort is put into flight safety compared to the rest of the world. There are many areas that 'the West' must hang it's head in shame on in comparison to the rest of the world. Aviation, however, is one where we can say we are leading the field in terms of a relentless search for excellence in flight safety. I for one am proud of being part of an airline where safety has such a high place - and most if not all of my colleagues would feel the same. We in Europe (I cannot speak for Australia/NZ but I feel sure it is the same there), have a safety culture that transcends all aspects of aviation and anyone believing that somehow it is better in the States is simply wrong. I would gladly fly any US, Australian or European Union major (not including Eastern Europe) airline and have no fears whatsoever for my safety. I could not say the same about KAL or some of the Chinese/Taiwanese outfits. That is just hard fact and until someone starts addressing themselves to the cultural issues that mitigate against safe flying, there will be continue to be a constant stream of crashes/incidents emanating from the rest of the world.