Hot take: That lead mechanic calling out my safety wire changed everything

Had an old guy at United in Denver watch me safety wire a fuel pump on a 737 for five minutes without saying a word. Then he just pointed and said "your twists are uneven, you're gonna cut your knuckles when this comes loose." I was annoyed at first but he was right. That one comment made me slow down and actually count my twists per inch, and I haven't had a redo since. Anyone else have a grumpy mechanic who gave you advice that stuck?

2 comments

2 Comments

xenagarcia9d ago

The real lesson here isn't just about counting twists. It's about how old school mechanics test you by watching first. They want to see if you'll notice your own mistakes before they say anything. That five minute silence was him checking if you had the pride to ask for help or the humility to accept it when offered. Nobody talks about the psychological aspect of having a stranger stare at your work without saying a word. It's a test of character as much as a test of your safety wire skills.

charlienelson9d ago

Seven years pressure washing houses and I've had plenty of grumpy old guys watch me work. But that psychological test stuff sounds like overthinking it to me. Most old timers I've met just don't want to watch someone screw up because it makes them twitchy, not because they're testing your character. They stare because they're trying to decide if it's worth their time to say something or if you're too stubborn to listen. The good ones will speak up eventually, the bad ones just let you fail and then laugh about it later with their buddies. Your guy spoke up, that's all that matters.