AVCANADA

In fact you'll find anything to blame your problems on and until you look in the mirror, your not gonna find your answer.

So the lack of AME's is caused by poor instruction. Talk about looking for the easy way out. School gives you a license to learn, nothing more. Blame everyone else for your problems. I stand by my first statement, Its all about attitude. I don't need to defend instructors, your gonna blame your shortcomings on them anyways. In fact you'll find anything to blame your problems on and until you look in the mirror, your not gonna find your answer.

After reading this thread I realize that we may be our own worst enemy.

Agreed. My oh my what a strange new world it would be if we could just organize ourselves to work TOGETHER, instead of only looking out for our own asses. Change in our industry isn't just going to happen. We as a colective group have to make it happen.

Aircraft Mechanics are generally introverted individuals who work very well by themselves. We excel at problem solving, are very resourceful (many employers not spending much to equip us properly).

That having been said, most of us do not want to get involved or pay money to an association responsible for overseeing our trade. We frown upon unions (for the most part) and dislike the administrative side associated with the operation of an body representing AMEs.

Lupin, this is the rub, we already have 5 (I think) associations with one trying to take them all over and thats not counting company assocaiations and CAMC. Our Associations can't even get their acts together. Maybe with the Gen X AME's there may be a paradigm shift to collective cooperation. But we need to go to stuff that our local associations put on. I went last year, skipped this year, but if maybe we actually try...

The attitude of the AME has to change. Prior to being laid off I felt like I was a part of a small select group of mechanics. I had confidence that attitudes would change over time. I answered a email from the company on how to save money. My reply was to spread coursing and qualification equally across the company. Give managers managerial courses and give technicians technical courses. Do not give managers courses they do not need or will never use. Give them to the wrench turners their the ones who need it. Inspire and assist in licensing for non licensed mechanics. Build a quality of life that attracts the best. What this got me was laid off. I was one of the first to be hired and there were others who were still on probation. The reasoning was maintenance restructuring so my position was eliminated. What it was, was a personal vendetta from a local manager who said either he goes or I go. This put the company in a tight situation as he was starting up a new project. So here it is I am summer employed and going back to school in the fall taking power engineering. 20 years of being on the technical side of aviation done. My attitude was never to make a million but to be able to have a good life and put my kids through whichever college they wanted to take. Sacrificed time with my family to help start up this company. Lots of travel and lots of non wanted overtime. Worked in the cold, hot, windy and without proper tools to do the job. Fought with other companies to get a fair deal for my company. Negotiated hangar space and Ground support equipment. Backed up fellow workers when mistakes were made. Admitted when they were made by me. Gave respect to those who were releasing the jets. Trained those and qualified them on specialty items. Took advice gave advice and learned from it all. After four and a half years the company who I helped build from nothing decided that I was not needed anymore. Yes the attitude of not only the AME but all of aviation in Canada has to change. Looking forward to my new life.

I think the main issue restricting change is the fact that there are some AME's standing up for theirselves, saying "No" and the like, trying in their own way to force change, and then when they have left the room, someone else comes along and cuts their legs out from underneath them.

My attitude was never to make a million but to be able to have a good life

Intelligence personified..........cant say it any better than that....its refreshing!!

So the next time you young piss ants come here telling me how "life is to short"....I will respond by saying carma is a bitch and you'll understand what I mean when your beloved career throws you a huge curve ball. Life is to short....you ain't kidding, I wish "life" was as cut and dry as you portray but I know that to be far from reality.