A recent inspection taught me the true cost of procedural shortcuts

Last week, during a routine inspection on a regional jet, I found a slight crack in a hydraulic line bracket. The plane was scheduled for a short hop, and my supervisor suggested we could defer it since it wasn't on the critical path. I felt torn between keeping operations smooth and adhering to strict safety protocols. It hit me then that every compromise, no matter how small, chips away at the foundation of trust we build with passengers and crew. For instance, I recalled a case where a similar deferred issue led to a minor leak during flight, causing unnecessary stress and downtime. Now, I always advocate for full compliance, even if it means delaying a departure by a few hours. Has anyone else faced pressure to overlook minor defects, and how do you handle it?