Yes and no. Again, we have to look at the details, here (the devil's always in the details). The point of the requirement was to prevent wire chafing around the landing gear mechanisms. Cable ties or no cable ties, if there is constant rubbing of any component against a wiring bundle, over time, you will get chafing and wear.
According to the article, the inspections showed that with/without the new requirement, chafing was occuring. To avoid the potential for chafing, the wiring bundles would have to be re-routed away from the source of the chafing (i.e. the landing gear mechanism); simply adding cable ties every inch and orienting cable clamps on't do anything to prevent chafing/wear if the bundle is not removed from the source of the chafing. To do that would require all new wiring bundles to be installed that would take the A/C out of service for a longer period of time because, in most cases, wire splices are not permitted by the FAA. Wire bundles in aircraft tend to have almost zero extra length and tend to comply with very strict length requirements.
So, again, this is all for show and the FAA is just flexing its muscles to prove that it can. But, here's a question for you - How many politicians or FAA officials do you think were inconvenienced by this? My bet is NONE.
Not to be contrary, but I see it the other way around. Making a further exception to the rule would be the result of some individual in the FAA flexing their muscles - and bypassing the plain meaning of the ruling. The inspections were either not done or done improperly. They are overdue.
I fail to see how enforcing a ruling in the face of violations of the ruling is "flexing muscle". It's a matter of compliance (in the certification sense of the word).
The FAA was **seriously embarrassed** by letting SW sluf on exterior crack inspections - they (FAA) were accused of being too cozy...
How do you ‘prove’ you aren't too Cory?
Why screw the next guy in line of course.
It's about EGO, not safety....
QA is a nice thing, too many things tend to fall off of aircraft otherwise.
Many within the FAA however if there were to be an incident because of the variance and those PMI's within the FAA let it ride unchecked.
I don't mind that my flight was 5 hours late. I don't even mind that they dumped me off at a closed airport this morning at 1:00 AM. What p!sses me off to no end, however, is my luggage not arriving with me.
Attention all airlines: People like to fly with their luggage!