Saying no to a client is tough, which is why I think they can say "sure, PKD, we'll give you what you want, but if that doesn't work, we have a backup for you"
I'm not blaming anyone, I just think its funny when people get all mad at Intamin, and don't want to think that maybe Intamin delivered exactly what the park asked for - with eyes bigger than their stomach, so to say.. devil's advocate and such
Clients ask for more than is possible all the time. They get told "No" all the time. In all forms of businness. Intamin should know it makes THEM look bad in the industry when stuff like this happens. They know what will work. They have all the numbers and science and experience. If what you say is the case, then they are even more at fault, because they had to KNOW the ride was not maintainable at specs.
They have hurt their own chances of getting the contract the next time a big park wants an extreme ride. Not that they are hurting for clients I suppose, so maybe they just don't care.