Originally Posted by
handlewanker
Hi in2, It's a bit like the captain of a ship, he doesn't have to be able to stoke the boiler to get the ship away from the wharf and out to sea, but I'd like to see a stoker try it.
Most of the time engineers know of a machines characteristics and so plan accordingly, but it's when they try to push the limits that they fall down.
I don't think ANY qualified engineer, that is a person with a college degree in the field of mechanical engineering, as opposed to someone who has worked every machine invented, would want to get his/her hands grimed up by working at the bench with muscle power, instead of applying brain power to guide the work force in the right direction.
One engineer can be the guiding force for a whole factory of skilled workers, but without the guiding force the factory would soon lose direction and cease to exist.
Part of an engineer's training is work experience, but only to familiarise him/her with the tools of the trade.
The quote, "How can I fly like an eagle when I'm surrounded by turkeys", describes the very real dividing line between using your brains instead of your brawn to solve a problem.
Brawn, and lots of it, will get the job done, but brains will show you how.
Ian.