Hot take: That inspection method the lead pushed on us is way too slow

Last month, our lead at the hangar in Atlanta made everyone switch to using a borescope for every single spark plug check on the PT6 engines. I did 8 inspections today alone and each one took an extra 15 minutes just to line up the scope right. We could catch the same issues faster by just using a 10x loupe and a good flashlight like we used to. Has anyone else gotten stuck with a new procedure that bogs down the whole line?

3 comments

3 Comments

amymason2mo agoMost Upvoted

Yeah but are you sure your lead actually tested both methods side by side or did he just get sold on the borescope by a sales rep? That extra 15 minutes per inspection adds up fast, especially when you're doing 8 in a shift like you did. Sounds like somebody at the top made a decision without understanding how it affects the guys on the floor.

lindahunt2mo ago

Has management ever actually watched you do the job, @amymason, or do they just trust whatever the sales guy tells them? I feel you on that extra time adding up, fifteen minutes may not sound like much to someone in an office, but when you're already cramming 8 inspections into a shift it's the whole difference between finishing on time and staying late. It's frustrating when decisions get made without anyone asking the people who actually have to use the tools day in and day out. Solidarity from me on this one.

allen.william20d agoMost Upvoted

Bought a used pickup last summer from a dealer who swore up and down it had a fresh transmission. Three months later it starts slipping and I take it to my mechanic. He pops the dipstick and the fluid smells like burnt toast. Turns out they just flushed it and threw in some thickener to mask the noise. Now I'm out $4,000 for a rebuild and the dealer won't even return my calls. Management never crawled under that truck either, they just trusted the lot guy who said it 'felt fine' on a test drive.