Sunfish, I AGREE with you. I'm merely pointing out what happens. Scenario 1: AME who has been working 20 years installs a wheel, LAME not there to see the job done but certifies for the work anyone because he has formed "an opinion" of the said AME and thew work he carries out. LAME then certifies installation.
Do I agree with this, hell NO. Does it happen everyday, every airline around the world. Hell YES.
Could a competent AME ask me how much the torque is for something over the phone whilst I'm in the office? Yes, and I'm taking the risk doing it. Just like I have said previously, it is about calculated risk. It happens EVERY day, at every level from AME to LAME to Manager to CASA.