Temsford,
How regretable that you have misconstrued my comments. I will say that being definitive does not construe as being intimadatory. Possibly this is one reason, semantics aside, that Engineers are so insular and refuse to accept that progress is a fact of life. Stagnate or die to be honest. Yes, some do leave the profession ( happy now ? ) but the vast majority remain as transference to other sectors is difficult without a recognised qualification eg HNC / Degree etc. Contrast this with DipSW for example, again a vocational qualification, but one which offers the holder considerably more scope to diversify should they so wish. I am aware the CAA state the Licence is comparable to an HNC / D but the fact remains that many employers in other sectors will simply say " Licence--so what ? " As for Engineers not wishing to fly with an Aircraft, well some do under duress, others because it's a perk going down route, some, like myself, who actively enjoy flying in any event--not to mention gaining a better understanding the pressures Crews operate under and fostering better working relationships--again another "nasty" area for those who insist on the "us and them" philosophy and those who flatly refuse to fly unless as a pax because of the reasons I stated. Aircraft Maintenance / Engineering is a closed world to the public as a whole. Why ? Why are Engineers so reluctant to break with so called traditional values and thus develop further in both a personal and professional capacity. How many times have I heard the lament that "we get treated like dirt" etc---and what do the majority do about this state of affairs? Absolutely nothing--just carry on as before and moan to high heaven. Heaven forbid that any outside influences may actually benefit their cause let alone those of us who have tried to change matters---for the good of all please note, not personal satisfaction. And then people get upset when the term Luddite is used.