I'm curious what the feel might be regarding the re-org changes and how that might affect the likelihood of getting things approved in the field with any greater or less difficulty? It became evident to me that some offices were easier to do business with than others; now that it is all "standardized" from central, is it a sign that things will get worse or better?

Good question-- are they gonna "standardize" to the "yes" position or the "no" position?
At least now some FSDO's still do field approvals.
Better than standardizing to none.

I'm afraid it all becomes politics at this point and practicality goes out the window. I think it will largely depend on who has the most "influence" at the time the policy is established as to if it goes all "no" versus all "yes". It has been a blessing to have some offices that had a sense of practicality about field approvals that at least simple tire size changes could be done. There are offices that won't even allow that. Where that decision making goes now...

A while back the FAA was made up of folks that were WWII vets that were involved in one way or another in the air campaign that helped win a war. They were practical folks that prided themselves in getting things done. I think now that the FAA is mostly made up of folks that are college grads and their main focus is to put in the 8 hrs a day, not make any waves, pass the buck and stick around long enough to get their retirement.

I have seen that in most government offices. When I got out of the navy in 1969 and got involved in the building trades most of the inspectors were from the trades. They were practical. Now they are folks that a lot of witch have never been in the trades but have been to inspector school.

It took one year and 45 days to build the empire state building. 19 years ago I did the plumbing at the remodel of the I-5 Maxwell rest stop. Took almost 2 years. This is the new normal.

Tim