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That old timer at LAX who handed me a flashlight | Aircraft Mechanics - Vivisector

That old timer at LAX who handed me a flashlight

Back when I was fresh out of school, I was working a night shift at LAX and couldnt find a panel leak. This guy named Ray, probably 30 years in the game, just walked over and handed me his little LED penlight. He said 'try looking at it from the other side, kid. Light bends.' He didnt even stay to watch, just walked off. Found the leak in like 2 minutes after that. Still use that trick on fuel lines 6 years later. Anyone else have a random one-liner from a senior guy that totally clicked for you?

3 comments

3 Comments

charlies375mo ago

Yeah actually I get what you're saying but I kinda see it the other way. Sometimes a quick nudge like that sticks with you way more than someone standing there walking you through it step by step. Makes you feel like you figured it out yourself instead of just being handed the answer.

rowan_reed685mo ago

Idk, maybe I'm the odd one out here but handing a random new guy a light and walking off seems kinda dismissive to me. Ray could have easily showed you the trick properly instead of just tossing out a vague one-liner and leaving. Sounds like he was more interested in sounding cool than actually helping you learn the trade.

emma_baker615mo ago

Makes me wonder if folks are forgetting the part where Ray was probably trying to avoid making a scene in front of the whole crew... @charlies37 mentioned the whole "figuring it out yourself" angle, but there's also the social side of it. Stopping to give a full tutorial with a bunch of seasoned carpenters watching can put a target on the new guy's back, makes him look like he needs handholding. That quick nod and walk off might've been a way to throw the kid a bone without making him the center of attention. Plus it forces him to put the tool down and actually watch how the older guys do it, which is where the real learning happens anyway.