Macdu, you neglected to mention the character building aspect of being in the crow's nest of a DC-10 when it is raining, everything is covered in oil, and you are cranking cowlings (fan and core) open with your speed handle.
Other moments of fun have been:
- 747-200s with P&W Q engines (where'd that leak really originate from?)
- 727 MLG brakes: do they really need all of these bolts to hold them on?
- 747-100/200s P&W engine, anything under the inner fan cowl.
- Convair 580 generators
- Fuel tanks where you have to remember the exact number of twists and turns to exit that you used to enter (usually exiting by doing a handstand)
- Position sensors (LVDTs, pots, etc) that require two people to adjust, or positioning your hands in tight areas while hydraulic power is on.
And my favorite: Sweringen (Fairchild Metro) ground power receptacles that are mounted in line with the arc of the propellers.