Yeah, I remember that all too well...and another good pilot got screwed over by that after mx asked him to return the plane directly to CGF gear down, but never issued a ferry permit...
These are the kinds of idiots mgmt (INCLUDING people like B19) love to use and abuse until they are cornered and then they will discipline them and wash their own hands. You think Flops mismanagement team had no idea how often and flagrantly Earl would break both the regs and common safety practices? Sh!t just look at his logged time...25-28 days in a row flying trips...Duty days in the range of 15-20 hours regularly...How often would he write things up?
Just like B19 will try to instill fear in those not cauterized against it that they will somehow be targeted for writing things up...a good inspector from the FAA will catch people like Earl, Ed, and others who always seem to show up at a maintenance base with everything breaking all at once.
Bottom line - if it is broke, or appears broke - write it up and get it examined before flight...that is not a slowdown campaign, that is your J.O.B. If the mechanic signs it off airworthy and you agree, then fly...if you disagree, the be a man and DISAGREE and get more info before you go airborne.