I think it’s more complicated than that because the students expect to get jobs after completing the degree, if they even can complete the degree.
For example, Im not great at art and don’t really have a passion for it. Should an art school accept me even though I’ll never have a career as an artist? Keep in mind I’d be taking a spot from someone who could. I have no doubt they’ll be able to improve my abilities but that’s not why many students apply.
If you’re representing the college, how do you know the individual you’re about to hire has sufficient knowledge to both teach the material and cover any questions on the material students may raise.
I have lab equipment that needs a power cycle after 48 hours of power on time for it to continue to produce high quality data. This is because the internal calibration code only runs upon boot. Maybe these planes have something similar.
So, to me, the power cycle thing is not super surprising. That fact that the FAA felt the need to order Boeing to do it seems a bit suspect though. That's probably the real story.
If you’re willing to pay there are always ways to move value out. For example, buy $1M worth of t-shirts inside China. Sell for a 5% loss outside of China but say you sold at a 20% loss. Now you have money outside of China. You had to pay a decent fee and have a partner outside of China to do it but hey, that’s what gangs are for.
For example, Im not great at art and don’t really have a passion for it. Should an art school accept me even though I’ll never have a career as an artist? Keep in mind I’d be taking a spot from someone who could. I have no doubt they’ll be able to improve my abilities but that’s not why many students apply.