Skybutler,
You're right on, those programs are far from an accurate representation of a companies true level of safety. When ARG/US started charging (operators) we made a big stink and dropped their service. The costs associated with their business should not be paid by operators, as it taints the whole program.

In the subsequent months we lost a handful of trips because we weren't ARG/US rated. We ended up renewing with them before the summer.

There are platinum operators who've had fatal accidents. Global Exec Aviation from the LR60, Travis Barker crash are already Gold rated again!