The PBO (poor bloody operator) is simply trying to maximise the economic life of their equipment and sometimes the difference between serviceable and unserviceable is in the eye of the beholder.
Yes, is the glass half empty or half full. This is where things can be very subjective. I reckon small 'r' regulator and big 'R' regulator falls into this area. In the Pel Air inquiry there is an email stating foi's were split on DJ's decision being right or wrong.