Re: re why ......

["Tony Gatt" <baulko@optushome.com.au>]

Well said Mark.

"Mark Bau" <markbau@earthlink.net> wrote in message
B6B4CCE1.149C%markbau@earthlink.net">news:B6B4CCE1.149C%markbau@earthlink.net...
> in article 3a8e121f$0$25520$7f31c96c@news01.syd.optusnet.com.au, Tezza at
> tezza2000@dingoblue.net.au wrote on 2/16/01 10:54 PM:
>
> >
> > "Mark Bau" <markbau@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> > B6B35D32.1607%markbau@earthlink.net">news:B6B35D32.1607%markbau@earthlink.net...
> > | in article ufej6.270$8qy1.9175268@news.xtra.co.nz, Greg at
> > good@heart.organ
> > | wrote on 2/16/01 11:25 AM:
> > |
> > | > A labourer doesn't have to know shit, isn't
> > | >> responsible for thousands of lives and doesn't have to sit constant
> > exams
> > | >> and isn't subject to disciplinary action or charges if he digs a
hole
> > the
> > | >> wrong way.
> > |
> > | How wrong you are. Try digging a hole in the wrong place and hit a
fiber
> > | optic cable or gas main, or petroleum pipe or phone line.
> >
> > Then they'll call him a dickhead, his foreman or boss might get in a bit
of
> > minor shit, happens every day. He isn't responsible for thousands of
lives.
> > He doesn't have to sit constant exams. He doesn't face charges if he
digs a
> > hole the wrong way.
> >
> >
>
> I'm in the fortunate position to see this argument from both sides of the
> fence. I was a Driver/Engineer for 15 years, I now work for Union Pacific
> doing signal construction/maintainence.
>
> All jobs have some degree of responsibility. In my present job, if I wire
a
> signal incorrectly you can get a green into an occupied track.
>
> In my job I sit for more exams than I ever took as a Driver, I could face
> charges if I do my job incorrectly and I'm resposible for thousands of
> lives. If during my signal installation I hit a gas line with a backhoe I
> could ruin the day for a lot of people. After stepping back from the
> throttle I get amused when Drivers think they have the most important job
in
> the world. To be sure driving trains is a very responsible job but so are
> many others on the railway. (and for that matter many jobs outside of the
> rail industry)
>
> Having run everything from a 6 car suburban train to a 15,000 ton coal
train
> I'll go on the record in saying that I could teach anyone of average IQ to
> be a good driver in 6 months. We do it all the time in the U.S. I doubt
I'll
> know half of what I need to know as a signal maintainer in 5 years!
>
> Most drivers have only one qualification and they are so very proud of it,
I
> have more qualifications, does that give me a big ego? No, it allows me to
> see bigger pictures, that's all.
>
> Mark
>