Andy wrote:
Can you, or anyone else, point to any accident that was caused by
incorrectly assembled Hoteliers when a safety device, such as a pin,
was installed in all fittings. I know of none.

I agree that safety pins pretty much do the job if properly installed an
verified. I have my doubts about sleeves, as I know of a number of
accidents where they were used, allegedly positively checked, and the
connections came apart after takeoff. I have demonstrated to myself
that you can slide a sleeve far enough closed with the ball out of the
socket to pass a half-hearted control check.

I used to carry spare pins and give them to other pilots had had not
previously used them.

My real issue isn't so much with Hoteliers as they work fine when
connected properly and pinned. My problem is with myself, as I know
perfectly well that I might get it right 99.9% of the time, but all it
takes is a slight distraction to get it wrong once...

Marc