A Good Idea

Each time it’s my turn to write a blog, I usually wait until the last minute. I rationalize this procrastination by saying to myself I will always look and wait for the latest good idea that relates to the aviation maintenance profession, is topical, and possibly provocative. On the other hand, this blog did not require a lot of waiting. It was energized by Bubba 1090’s response to my latest blog concerning the slippery slope of government control. Bubba is challenging the idea that aviation would do well without “big brother†or the FAA, using for his example “independent mechanics.†While I proffered the thought about too much government control, I do agree with Bubba that there is no room for the moonlighting mechanics in the profession as long as we want to call it a profession. While possibly a stretched analogy, would you trust your health to some doctor who just practiced on the side, while he earned his living doing something else? Not me. Or, would you invest your money with a part-time financial advisor rather than a board certified advisor? Some would say these “part-time†or independent mechanics under mind the efforts of legitimate shops and repair organizations, and the overall effort to raise the level of aviation mechanic/technician above the semi-skilled level. All should be discouraging this practice wherever you see it. As Bubba notes, proper tools and equipment, current data, quality management, prevalence in regs and the systems being worked on, one or all of these may be missing and one is enough to result in poor maintenance. And, like any other profession, the public and media pick up on the errors and mistakes and usually gloss over the excellence visible in the every day work performed by maintenance professionals. Interestingly, in the May issue of our magazine there is a reprint of an article published in the ‘90s that relates to this very subject … professionalism. The article focuses on getting over the attitude that “I’m just a mechanic†and how technicians have dug their own hole in the socio-economic framework of today’s society. The article points out the blatant need for an attitude change and until this occurs technicians will remain in the semi-skilled spotlight. Not supporting and keeping watch over the activities mentioned by Bubba is a step in the right direction and a good idea.