.................The RAF might of done them a few favours, but a civilian company might be more cautious. They are getting a much more capable and reliable service .........
Do you mean a more capable & reliable service than the RAF provided ?
I doubt that could be possible. Surely like everything else put into private hands the new operators only do what it states in the contract, whereas the RAF didn't have a contract and would do whatever it took to effect a rescue (within limits).
I think the recovery aspect of the work is a difficult one to answer. I have read a lot regarding the history of both the civilian mountain rescue groups and the RAF mountain rescue and in both cases (going back to the late 1940s) they felt better equipped & trained to undertake the recovery aspect. Obviously handling a deceased isn't pleasant but the police aren't capable of getting a body off a hill/crag.
Given the cut backs with police budgets these days, they don't even attend most crimes so I think body recovery from high or wild places it is a forlorn expectation.
.............. I think we should pay MRT members.
I know many of them do it for the love of it- otherwise they would have never joined, but it must be galling when people make reference to them 'doing their job'. Maybe it's public ignorance or just the wrong use of words.