GWH
Many of the new EASA B2 holders slavishly follow the FIM and seem incapable of independent thought
Brother this is the largest trend I fight every day, it is almost a directive from MGT to follow the FIM despite your better knowledge. Our group is slowly folding to a "career over craft" mindset on this issue. A factory FIM assumes (the selling point to airlines) that an aircraft system will fail as they expect and are completely ignorant (especially on an older aircraft) that it can fail out of their box. Airlines sold this BS will feel the effects of the cost's of years of accumulated out of service aircraft that cost big bucks! SO frustrating but it is a hard battle for us. (see next comment)
Boeing-Eng...
As for pay parity with pilots…..most B1/B2’s with a decent number of approvals should be earning at least what an experienced F/O earns in most UK airlines these days. Is it enough?....probably not (but unlike pilots, engineers have never managed to effectively act as group to enhance pay and conditions) This issue has never been helped by the fact that most bean-counter managers have a chip on their shoulder that most LAE’s earn more than them anyway!
The bottom line is a cultural one. Aircraft maintenance is viewed as a LIABILITY, most proactive measures taken to reduce this are daft expecting after a MGT/bean counter review of some function is taken to improve reliability. Reliability in aircraft maintenance, on the ramp exists as a REACTIVE measure! Training and experience keeps the revenue flights flowing.
K-C130
What I see is a reflection of the pilot situation, where no one will take responsibly for training, then moan that standards are dropping
Our Pilots are becoming drones as they more than any of us are encouraged to follow policy and procedure with less latitude for decision based on human logic. Once again the MFGR sells airlines an aircraft where neither Pilots or the AMT/LAME should need to think for himself.