Re: What do Engineers drive?

[John Karasaki <johkar@teleport.com>]

At 12:45 PM 6/6/97 -0400, you wrote:
<snip>
>Boy, now I'm _really_ glad I don't have that PE!   That Bonne has to be 
>one of the ugliest cars in GM's stable.   Its not as bad as the new 
>Taurus mind you.
>
>Later,
>Graydon D. Stuckey 
>
I've been quite for this whole thread, but no longer... I'm a registered
mechanical engineer (a.k.a. Professional Engineer or P.E.).  I have designed
HVAC, plumbing, piping, fire protection, etc., etc. systems for buildings
but do mostly financial engineering alternative analyses now.  I'm handy
with a wrench, but am terrible at diagnostics.  I consider myself quite
normal and practical, but knowledgeable.  Of course I work with and know
some engineers who are excellent engineers, but can never see the forest
through the trees, if you know what I mean.

I also have a few friends that are P.E.'s who design big machinery for a
living.  We took the P.E. exam at the same time.  Me because it matters
greatly in my profession, they because it was a goal they'd set in college.
We all passed, but their new titles have no professional benefit for them.
BTW, you can challenge the P.E. exam in some states if you have enough work
experience.  That is, you can take the P.E. exam without having to pass the
Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (formerly the Engineer in Training, EIT)
exam.  The PE is more practical than the FE exam, though it is still very
academic.  I encourage all you "practical engineers" out there to challenge
the exam (study first though) if it will benefit you professionally.

BTW, in MOST states and territories of the USA, you have to have passed the
PE exam before you can legally say that you are an "Engineer" or that you do
"Engineering Work."  Unfortunately, although it is against the law in most
states to say you're an engineer unless you're a PE, most state engineering
boards don't agressively go after people who do.  Try calling yourself a
lawyer or doctor without passing the bar or residency and see how fast
you'll be in jail!

The simple truth is, that unless you're a PE, you're NOT an engineer,
regardless of how smart you are or if you are more than capable of doing
engineering work.  I suspect you realize, however, that this is symantics
and is of little consequence.  I AGREE THAT THERE ARE MANY, MANY PEOPLE OUT
THERE THAT HAVE MORE INTELLECTUAL AND PRACTICAL RIGHT TO BE ENGINEERS THAN
SOME REGISTERED ENGINEERS!  The law is not fair though...  What matters most
is ability and perserverence.

BTW, I drive an '87 5ktqw, a '82 urq, and a '90 V8 Quattro.

P.S. Obviously, there were no grammer nor spelling portions on the PE exam,
or I may not have passed!
Regards,


John Karasaki

Audi Quattro Fanatic