Outsourcing of certification predates homeland security - see e.g. mid-90s reporting on the 777 certification[1]. In fact, the idea of outsourcing parts of the

Outsourcing of certification predates homeland security - see e.g. mid-90s reporting on the 777 certification[1]. In fact, the idea of outsourcing parts of the certification process started IIRC in the mid-1940s. What did happen past 2001 (but not due to budget pressures) is that the airline manufacturers got the authority to appoint their own designees, and were allowed to self-certify. Not for budget reasons, but for "deregulation is good" reasons. The money isn't gone. We've just got people who'd like "a government so small they can drown it in a bathtub". Well, it's drowning alright. [1] http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19950604&slug=2124639#_ga=2.157427770.1261468268.1559139971-1010226798.1559139971 http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=199...