Articlr

I am sure that you are familiar with exchange programs in schools - a child goes to school in another state or country for a set period of time, they come back, and then a child from the place they were at comes to stay with them.  I don’t mean for this to sound confusing, but this lays out the groundwork for the story I am about to tell.

You see, I do some consulting work for a local mechanic shop in town.  Now, the one thing that stands out about their business is that they have a unique mechanic exchange program that they do twice per year.  The mechanics in the shop sign up for this event and are trained about aircraft parts and aircraft repair.  What?  Yes I typed it right.  You see the shop has an exchange program with an aircraft service center.

The owner devised this program years ago, when he had the opportunity to work side by side with an aircraft mechanic.  Since then, he has had his mechanics and air craft mechanics switch jobs for a week, twice per year.  There is a lot of training that goes along with this including avionics and proper use of fasteners before the automotive mechanics go work at the other shop.  And don’t worry - the automotive mechanics are supervised while they are doing the work by a certified aircraft mechanic.

The staff welcomes this time of year, as it gives them new challenges and opportunities to learn new skills.  It is also a break from the daily routine of fixing cars.  I believe other mechanic shops should follow his lead - he has the happiest mechanics I have ever seen.