That's not power, Ray, that's a piece of paper

The FAA says it's "data-driven", but when all you look at all day is airline-generated paper instead of looking at metal, wiring, rubber, electronics, and fuel, the first piece of real data you're likely to get is a blip vanishing off radar. Out of sight, out of mind is exactly what inspections are supposed to prevent.

When you think of how many thousands of daily flights there are, 99% compliance is pretty slipshod. It means thousands of inadequately inspected planes have been flying every year. Thousands. With hundreds of thousands of actual people on board.

Yes, I've been one of those at-risk passengers. Without even venturing onto a third world airline.