This argument is reminiscent of the one that followed the demise of the Flight Engineer and will suffer the same fate. Alas the genie is out of the bottle and despite this one incident I doubt that there is overwhelming evidence that offshore operations without a cabin attendant are any less safe now than in the days when they were carried.
I think Crab's contemplations about what might have been are a trifle on the optimistic side. Crewies are great guys (and gals - BIH) but they cannot work miracles.
Crab - We can all wish for a better outcome but re-shaping your own prejudices about rear seat crews to justify a different game-plan wont fit these circumstances. You need a better sample to hang your hat on.
G.
