Hey that works too.

Service manager- Central PA. The value of a Tech is his ability to save the customer's money during the PM and be aware of the customer's situation, through good communications during break-down calls so he (she) can provide valuable options and suggestions. With that being said, a great tech should be open minded to see the "big picture" of the customer's needs. He should be humble- not arogant. If a repair can wait until next PM service, save him some travel time and replace that seat cushion next PM. A great tech uses common sence ALL the time. A great tech is often asked for by the customer by name when his truck goes down, because of his quick problem solving ability and the trust based relationship he has built up with his customer. I sometimes say regarless of experience, as long as the tech has a positive can-do attitude, good common sence, confidence and as someone stated before me "knows when to ask for help" being a great tech comes naturally.

"Well pro, I guess we can say, "Some days a Fitter and some days an Engineer"!
Been there.

boo hoo "crying sound here " Im a fitter Better a lucky fitter than good.I love the lucky days when you just walk up and boom its fixed.But then I enjoy a good brain kicker to.

you are correct roadrat. fitters just do as they are told and yes they do repair trucks. they just don,t understand how they fixed it.

Response to simon k : Just curious, Is a "Fitter" in the U.K.
simular to what we in the states refer to as a "Parts changer"?

I honestly think a positive attitude is all that makes a great field engineer!..many techs are afraid of 'foreign' equipment and I think that is when the fitters are split from the engineers!.

not really, that was posted either before coffee or after beer, depending on how you count those things.
I more just added my 2 cent (USD) for the sake of getting more discussion and input.

Reply to edwart t: Could you be more specific with your statement from your last post.

I dont think techs should be in charge of of have to check up on or any form of.Thats what a supervisior is for.Yes the customer is the end consumer but you and I both know mister customer can screw himself due to lack of knoledge.It is the techs job to keep him informed.John Q Customer mostly sees the end bill.You dont let him know its time to tune lift up,the plugs gall the head and now hes in for a repair that could have been avoided.Cost of tune up in no way could equal the cost of engine repair.A lot of repairs I see could have been avoided if simple maintanace had been done.So even though one tech can save cost per month Ill bet my bottom dollar overall cost will be unreal.Some customers dont want to see you come in because you find a thousand things every time you show up behind regular tech.Its in my view that a supervisior should keep an eye on all his men and let them know what they miss.A tech has no power to correct a sorry tech. Some want to hear what others have to say some just want their 8 and home.I want to provide the best service to all my customers so they wont even look your way when you come calling.

I have noticed a few threads around here where the techs seem to be advocating for techs to be in charge of techs. (who wants to be told they are not doing their job right by someone that can not do the job at all)
This seems to me that we are advocating for a "technocracy" as opposed to the "aristocracy" that business generally is.
The question then is "does the artist decide what is "art", or does the patron (who pays for the art) decide what is "art"?

Reply to roadtek: It went the same way for me, I rode for a week with a Tech who had been at it for 30 years, Monday morning came, I loaded up my Iron, and it has been on since.
I would rather "Pick crap with the chickens" then go back in the shop full time. It's amazing how you come up with little tricks and "home made gadgets" to be able to work by your self.

I learned a lot of usefull things from the "Old Heads",who had been at it awhile , that I have used for years and try to pass it on to the new guys coming into this work. (which is another topic, not many are coming into it)

I have always been a "People" person, I like the fact you can see different places and see different people through the week, it keeps it from getting boaring. Having good people skills is a must in this business, a "BS" degree helps a bunch, it makes folks feel more comfortable around you.

reply to roadrat:
As soon as I hit the road I knew I found my niche. It did take some getting use to not having the luxury of a shop and all it's equipment. But you learn to adapt very quickly. I did have some older road techs that helped me along the way. We do the same in our company. Our communication is pretty high tech, so a tech is only a cell call away. We have camera phones so if your stuck and have never seen this " thing", take a picture and send it to any techs email address. We have tablet PC's and color printers in every van with cell cards so we're always live. Thats a far cry from the old Motorola 2 way radios we used in the late 70's.
And as far as ever thinking about going back into the shop - never.

I was in shop for 3 months before I hit the road.Was a line lead in a factory before that for 3 years.Part maint part setup part get your butt chewed.I was told acceptable amount of time for pm service.Bill what it took on repairs if you get upsidedown on a lift call in and see what boss wants you to do.I always say let your work speak for you.If you do good work then it shows if you half do then it shows.First year on the road I was afraid of anything with a plug.Ie electric lifts.I was told so much hog wash it wasnt funny,These men have moved on I for one am glad.They wanted to be the only tech to be able to fix them.Our card sales droped after they left.Every thing had to be a card.A lot of what they did was parts swaping swap till it works.I want to know why.I also dont mind sharing information,I have enough to do in a days time without running all over. Road time isnt that much fun for me.I do love a truck that gives me fits it makes you learn.The only problem I have is how much do you learn when your told how v/s figure it out yourself.Hard knocks has taught me more than easy going,in life and in repair.And I still get a kick out of fixing a truck.When thats gone I probably will be to.

Question for proshadetree:
You mentioned that you get many calls during the day, can I assume these are from other TECHS?

If so, you are what they call "The go to guy"

It is obvious you have:
#1 "A good deal of experience coupled with some technical knowledge"
#2 "you are willing to share it with others"

These are great attributes in a road tech, though it can be annoying at times because others will call you first instead of "thinking for themselves", they will wear you out if you let them.

I have dealt with the "Primadonna" TECH, you know the type who withholds any information, kind of like what they know is a secret and they can't tell it. This type is "Insecure" and they feel that if they share any "TIPS" with others then they will not be "Smarter" than others, and on the other side of the spectrum, will give you some "Off the wall" information that sends you on a "wild goose" chase that makes you look bad and then comes to your rescue only to make them look good to management.