I see both perspectives as I play on the corner as a flagger and on the track in my Spec Miata when time and money permits. Couple observations:
1. The last thing any SCCA volunteer, whether it be F&C, Steward or EV wants to see, is a competitor get hurt or have their equipment torn up. We are all at the track to have fun and pursue our passion.
2. The majority of us that work on the corners for SCCA Majors and regional events also flag pro events such as Grand AM, Tudor, Pirelli World Challenge, Indycar and F1. Typically the only difference at the pro level is that Race Control and EV are paid staff that travels with the series.
3. SCCA and NASA have had to compensate flaggers with a stipend towards gas money to have enough flaggers show up and staff the minimal amount of corners to allow us to play with race cars. It is a slippery slope. Remember that every unmanned flag station represents a potential flag that could have benefitted you, and an increased response time to come to your assistance when "Fit hits the Shan".
4. VIR does not allow SCCA workers to flag at pro events. Did you see their "paid" staff almost have a Porsche GT3 land in their lap at T7 during the Tudor race a few years back? Or what about the "pro" EV truck that ran counter race during the Indycar event in Baltimore? Or NASCAR throwing the green flag at Charlotte during the BofA 500 while there were still pickup trucks with workers out of their vehicles on the back straight? My point is, we all make mistakes, even the "pros". Jules Bianchi may not be in a coma today if F1 Race Control had decided to red flag the Japanese Grand Prix a few laps sooner than it actually did.
5. The Flag Chiefs go a long way to staff their turns with seasoned Corner Captains. At VIR we had no less than 5 Flag Chiefs on staff from NCR and other regions this past weekend. These guys have forgotten more about flagging than a lot of us will know. Inevitably there will be rookie flaggers on turns for both Majors and regional events - that's how we get new blood and attract people to the club. But Corner Captains never leave newbs unattended. Someone is always right with them to mentor, to tell them to get the flag up, where to be looking, etc. Volunteers who don't have what it takes to work a corner are strongly "encouraged" to pursue other volunteer opportunities within the club. We understand what is at stake.
6. The majority of the flaggers I know are passionate, responsible and continually try to improve their racecraft.