Originally Posted by
Packrat
That's the problem, isn't it? I'd bet most F/Os merely look in the correct directions during walkarounds without even seeing what they're supposed to be looking for.
SWA might have the correct system. The F/O does the walk the first flight of the day, the ground crews do the rest. I'd guess their ground crews catch more problems than the average F/O who is just going through the motions.
PIC is given the keys to the jet, signs the release, and aircraft logbook, thus is responsible to ensure the wings and motors are still on the jet and airworthy for flight.
Some ground crew ending their shift are happy to avoid thorough post/pre flight inspections at out stations.