Westward refrigeration reunion?

[WolvesFanUK]

Hello all - sorry for gatecrashing but nostalgia got the better of me. I used to work in the Gloucester office's of Westward and it would be a delight to hook up with some of the engineer's who made an otherwise dull job bearable! Some names that I remember....Wayne Gray, Phil Winstone, Rob Carlisle, Mark Harris, Reg Shale, Dez Urban (och-aye!), Gerry Branscombe (don't moan at me Gerry!), Melvin Trower, Dave Sims, Gary Carson (leprachaun), Malcolm (err teamleader from North), Hanson Browne, errr...struggling now...gonna have to apologise to the madmen i've forgotten
Anyway - think we should get together and have the big 'ol party we were always threatning - who's up for it?

[benncool]

After reading the posts on this site I realize that the word “engineer” has a different connotation in Britain then it does in North America.

Over here an engineer would not be the person who would be solving problems on inoperative equipment in the field. An engineer does not service equipment. This work is done by a “technician”. An engineer designs equipment or systems. A technician finds problems and fixes the maladies.

A refrigeration mechanic on the other hand would mainly be an installer. While a technician may also be a mechanic, a mechanic is not automatically considered a technician.

In summation, I think you folks over there use the word engineer as we would say “technician”. Is this correct?

[Abe]

Hello Ben

Over here we " like" giving us posh names we make us look bigger then we are........gives us self esteem , confidence and makes us all look like smart alecs.

So , even if youre a humble fitter............no, youre an engineer.......!! Sounds and looks good , innit?

Imagine telling someone youre a mechanic, he will look down on you, as if youre thick and some oily smelly rag

Remember, we are a socialist....( sort of) place, you know, we dont like too much stratification, everyone must be same, equal opportunities, no sexism, ageism, blah blah

So a line tapper, ( the guy who taps a railway line) goodness why, is a " sonic engineer!!!

I see in the US you like to keep chaps in their places.......Hey youre a mechanic............Me , Ive been to Harward University.......Im an ENGINEER..........youd better RESPECT ME.

Well, here now, the guys with the turned back baseball caps , trainers, ganja, nike tops and track shorts also want respect.........you know.......Da ALI G, Show some respect........Maan !

So everything is tosy turvey, who cares what youre called..........Call yourself President or Archbishop for all I care...........But, Can you do your job??? Its the quality of you and your abilities which count over here......

Terra.........( its bloody hot here, maybe Ive spent too much time in the sun) so excuse my drivel

[RogGoetsch]

Ever hear of RSES: "Refrigeration Service Engineers Society" in the good ol' USA? A rawther old organization.

So we also have long used the term "engineer", perhaps loosely, for a technician who understands what he is about and perhaps more importantly, wishes to impress new acquaintances, often of the female persuasion!

That way at parties, ladies' eyes don't glaze over instantly at one's mere introduction. Of couse if you really have the makings of a true engineer, their eyes will glaze over anyway after a few minutes of what passes for rivetting conversation among the technically-inclined, but that's just nature's way of keeping the engineer population down!

[Robc]

Hi wolvesfanuk, portsmouthfanuk [rob carlisle] here, a reunion sounds like a gr8 idea 2 me, working with Dave Sims at present and in contact with wayne gray and [dont moan at me] gerry branscombe also keeping in touch with other exwestward lads from the southcoast, so iam sure they will be up for it, wolves fan uk wots ur name and portsmouth will get 3 points this saturday

[WolvesFanUK]

Ah Mr Carlisle - remember ya well dude! It's Simon (Rickards) - I was in the nightmare enviroment that was the call centre!!
Nice to hear that everyone is well and that the usual suspects are still about....so let's get this thing on and get the beers flowing mate
As for Pompey...i'll let you know how it goes...i'll be there tomorrow...more than likely to be found sobbing into a pint!

[Prof Sporlan]

Over here an engineer would not be the person who would be solving problems on inoperative equipment in the field. An engineer does not service equipment. This work is done by a “technician”.

The Prof considers the real hvac/r engineer to be at least reasonably comfortable with a set of gauges, vacuum pump, torch, ampprobe, thermocouples, etc., and the wherewithal to resolve a system anomaly. In the Prof's case, he enjoys the chance to service equipment on occasion, though his mortarboard and gown does get in the way at times.

An engineer designs equipment or systems. A technician finds problems and fixes the maladies.

In many cases, the technician finds the madadies caused by the hvac/r engineer who designed the equipment in the first place.