Yesterday's Technition / Engineer (having half a foot in in myself) may know how to move and fix aircraft more efficiently but the above posters speak of a bygone era. Today's AMT/LAME are restricted by company/CAA mandate to follow the rules and there are a hell of allot moreof them with more oversight. They are not less, just different, smarter in their environment... Probably. Hell you tell me I am an A-hole that must follow the FIM/TSM and have an AMM in hand for a task I have performed 50 times I will adapt and play the game. It slows down progress, effective line maintenance and creates a larger expense. Eventually airlines will require more techs per aircraft, today's Tech plays the smart game career wise in an environment that holds more liability. I hold plenty of tricks in my pocket to bypass the B.S., I use them less and less every day. Change is certain... Can you adapt?