"tech" - why I don't appreciate being referred to as such

[bloke]

"Techs" (technicians) carry out operations.

My concept of a "technician" (as far as repairing equipment is concerned) is someone who has a structured list of things to "try" when something doesn't work.

ex:

1. Make sure that it's plugged into the wall.
2. If plugged in - and it still doesn't work - check the fuse/breaker box.
3. It the fuse/breaker is ok, check the internal fuse.
4. etc.........................

Auto mechanics - the way they are trained to approach problems today (were they not referred to as "mechanics") might well fall under the above description/definition of a "tech".

The HVAC man - who comes to our house - is not a "tech". He doesn't have to "try" a bunch of things on a list (from most likely to least likely). He always IMMEDIATELY sees/knows what's wrong, and either repairs/replaces fast, or knows precisely what to order (or, if the oem part is no longer available, knows what will perfectly substitute for it).
Predictably (besides knowing his $h!t), his prices are lower than most because (as he knows his $h!t, and immediately knows what to do and how to do it) he rarely spends more than ten or fifteen minutes at my house, and (though he's tremendously skilled/knowledgeable/experienced) shruggs it off, asks for $75, and drives on to his next call.

I (ok..."envision") myself as someone who examines a musical instrument that isn't functioning properly (eyes, tactile, sound, other ways, etc.) quickly discovers what isn't right, and addresses THE problem (or possibly two or three that are - in combination - causing a problem or problems) without finding any need to "try" things...and certainly not "just because those things on a list are the most common causes of a particular problem/malfunction". If/when there's a buzz or rattle, I'm not going to go through a bunch of operations (where it's obvious that none of those things are causing the noise), but am going to continue to examine things until I find the problem and ONLY remedy the problem itself...rather than (let's say it's 22 on some "list" of things to "try") "trying" 1 - 21 first.
specific example: OK...If there's noise coming from a particular rotor, OF COURSE I'm going to first make certain that all the screws are snug, but AFTER that (and the noise is still there), I'm NOT going to go back and "snug 'em all up better" (to see if that works anyway/after all...even though I already immediately discovered that it did not).

anyway...If you've noticed (in the past) that I don't care for that term (at least, when applied to me) that's why.
If you disagree with the my interpretation of the definition of a "tech", I'm still not going to be persuaded to embrace your definition of the term.

OK...Go ahead and tease me with the appropriate and well-deserved smart-ass comebacks - particularly since I just openly admitted to a "trigger".

[gocsick]

When I was working at an aircraft mechanic my title was "technician" even though most of my day was spent troubleshooting and thinking. Granted maintenance was done by checklists but most repairs involved a lot of figuring things out before doing a repair (which was also done to a procedure).

As a professor and during my time as a research.scientists the technicians I work(ed) will often design and execute a test or analysis based on a vague idea from me. Some of the smartest and most imaginative engineers I've had the privilege to work with have been referred to as technicians.

When I worked as an industrial mechanic years ago I had the title of lead maintenance supervisor. I was proud of at the time but now understood was just grandiose term for "unskilled grease monkey" so they could keep me happy without having to actually pay me more.

Titles can be very misleading.

[BramJ]

OK...Go ahead and tease me with the appropriate and well-deserved smart-ass comebacks - particularly since I just openly admitted to a "trigger".

Instrument Repair Artiste?

Generally, it doesn't matter how a function/role/job is called, the results matter

[bloke]

musical instrument repair technician
...3...........3..........2.........3....... = 11

musical instrument repairman
...3...........3.............3..... = 9

horn fixer
..1.....2.. = 3

@Matt Walters :
"Mostly, I'm paid to remove spit from the insides of tubas."
...2......1....1....1.....2......1....1.....1.....2.....1...2.... = 15


bloke "Dat's why he duh man!"

[arpthark]

I know Joe puts a lot of stock in Arbiters of Trvth like Merriam-Webster, but consider the definition:

1
: a specialist in the technical details of a subject or occupation

2
: one who has acquired the technique of an art or other area of specialization

However, if we go to the other side of the pond and consult the OED, we see:

1.
A person knowledgeable or skilled in the technicalities of a particular field; esp. an expert in the formal or practical aspect of an art, sometimes with implications of a corresponding lack of creativity.

2.
A person qualified in the practical aspects of one of the sciences or mechanical arts; (in later use) esp. a person whose job is to carry out practical work in a laboratory or to give assistance with technical equipment.

[bloke]

1USA: not me, because I DO stuff, rather than "know about" stuff
2USA: I'm no artiste, and every repair requires different techniques (unless f'ing stuff up is cool).

1UK: Again, I'm not an artiste, but - quite often - I find that I have to be damned creative.
2UK: For those of you who've seen where I work, you are ALREADY laughing at the inclusion of the word, "laboratory" (particularly if - in your head - you pronounce it as do the English).


...but enough about me.
What are y'all techs out there working on today ?

[arpthark]

How about "lavatory"...?

[arpthark]

...but enough about me.
What are y'all techs out there working on today ?

This amateur tech (and I am definitely at "tech" status at this point) is going to be working this evening (after his real job) on getting some dents out of a Blessing euphonium mouthpipe, finishing setting up a belt sander, and cleaning my workshop.

[The Big Ben]

Is "horn jockey" better?

[BRS]

.

[bort2.0]

musical instrument repair technician
...3...........3..........2.........3....... = 11

musical instrument repairman
...3...........3.............3..... = 9

horn fixer
..1.....2.. = 3

@Matt Walters :
"Mostly, I'm paid to remove spit from the insides of tubas."
...2......1....1....1.....2......1....1.....1.....2.....1...2.... = 15


bloke "Dat's why he duh man!"

And don't forget the traditional brute-force band-parent fix:
..1... and done!

[bloke]

@BRS
great !

...and I have to assume that what Matt told me in a phone call one time is about right.
Mostly I seem to fix tubas that were dropped or thrown, and he mostly seems to fix tubas that people just play and play and play and play and never oil.

Something else that I don't own (besides no
n a p b i r t membership) that would be required to be a "tech":

I don't own a smock.

There's also something else:

Besides being able to examine something and knowing what to do - rather than "trying" things, I can also look at tools (advertised for sale in catalogs), see how they are designed to be used, and immediately know which ones I would never ever possibly use.

When people ask us to "customize" their stuff, I suppose we are sort-of unschooled/non-certified design engineers. The only catch is that - when we design and engineer something - it's our own responsibility to make it work...
... and my definition of "first right of refusal" is to first have the right to refuse to do something dumb that someone thought up to do to "customize" their instrument.

[BRS]

.

[bloke]

My shop is easy to heat up in the winter, and easy to heat up in the summer.
I prefer that it be about 60 degrees in there.
Due to narrow-minded people (ie. "you play the tuba, so you must be a tuba 'specialist-tech') I'm using rasslin' big stuff, and I don't like to drip sweat. Smocks/aprons add extra clothing (and heat), and can get caught on buffing machines.
I get FILTHY (even when I do almost no buffing, and I really don't want to deal with washing those things.

My strategy is to buy crappy-looking jeans and sweatshirts from thrift stores. Wear them SEVERAL days in a row (even for a couple of weeks) wash them BY THEMSELVES, and put them right back on. When they totally wear out, I grab another thrift store jeans/sweatshirt combo, and wear them out. (It usually takes a couple of months - sometimes three or even four months.) Since in don't sweat in them, they only stink of shop odors (chemicals/lacquers/buffing compounds/etc.)

If I could get one that says, "TRUST ME; I'M A TECH", I might (??) consider one of these...





...but the hat - in the silk screen pic - would need to be changed as well:

[Grumpikins]

Doctor of musical instrument preservation.

Instrumentologist.

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[bloke]

There you go @Grumpikins

[BRS]

.

[Grumpikins]

"Now turn your bell and cough."

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[bloke]

Yeah, that won’t bloat up the already inflated (yet very fragile) egos.

[Dents Be Gone!]

I agree, guys. This is the way to go.