Winstun,
You are a goose mate.
If you think that you can replace the years of training and experience that a Licensed engineer brings to work each day then you are in lala land.
I have operated the B767 all around the world for the last 15yrs. There have been many, many situations where the only reason we have been able to dispatch has been the presence of a licenced engineer - not an AME with dispatch quals.
Despite my length of service on type, I still come across technical situations which are beyond my knowledge. Modern jet transports are complicated beasts, and as pilots we effectively are only told what we 'need to know' to operate the aircraft in flight and when under our control on the ground.
I have commented on
VB previously on this forum, but as ever, QF is not far behind in cost inititives that erode safety margins.
All professional pilots should offer their support to the ALAEA in their efforts to stop the airlines doing away with LAME's in areas where they presently exist.
rgs
FS