<HTML><BODY style="word-wrap: break-word; -khtml-nbsp-mode: space; -khtml-line-break: after-white-space; "><BR><DIV><DIV>On Oct 9, 2007, at 2:26 PM, Jim Busby wrote:</DIV><BR class="Apple-interchange-newline"><BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><SPAN class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0px 0px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 12px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: auto; -khtml-text-decorations-in-effect: none; text-indent: 0px; -apple-text-size-adjust: auto; text-transform: none; orphans: 2; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; "><P class="MsoNormal"><FONT size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><SPAN style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy; color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-size: 13.3333px; "><SPAN class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; ">Jeff,</SPAN><O:P style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; "></O:P></SPAN></FONT></P><P class="MsoNormal"><FONT size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><SPAN style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy; color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-size: 13.3333px; "><O:P style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; "><SPAN class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; "> </SPAN></O:P></SPAN></FONT></P><P class="MsoNormal"><FONT size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><SPAN style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy; color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-size: 13.3333px; "><SPAN class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; ">Lots of “stuff” in your post. I’m especially intrigued by the possibilities of a CAUT credential which may not have PTG or RPT as a prerequisite. (FLAMESUIT ON!) While I agree, I’m certain PTG won’t entertain this for a moment. But, it IS (IMO) a very important thing to explore.</SPAN><O:P style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; "></O:P></SPAN></FONT></P><P class="MsoNormal"><FONT size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><SPAN style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy; color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-size: 13.3333px; "><O:P style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; "><SPAN class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; "> </SPAN></O:P></SPAN></FONT></P><P class="MsoNormal"><FONT size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><SPAN style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy; color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-size: 13.3333px; "><SPAN class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; ">Thanks,</SPAN><O:P style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; "></O:P></SPAN></FONT></P><P class="MsoNormal"><FONT size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><SPAN style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy; color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-size: 13.3333px; "><SPAN class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; ">Jim Busby BYU</SPAN><O:P style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; "></O:P></SPAN></FONT></P><P class="MsoNormal"><FONT size="2" color="navy" face="Arial"><SPAN style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy; color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-size: 13.3333px; "><O:P style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; "><SPAN class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; "> </SPAN></O:P></SPAN></FONT></P></SPAN></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV>See, this gets into where I think the RPT designation could use some... "adjustments". If RPT was actually our "base skill level", which it really is except for the overhype of the exam setting, we could include multiple paths we could recognize as alternate means of endorsement. A diploma from recognized tech schools such as North Bennett Street or other similar programs or completion of all four sessions of the Little Red Schoolhouse or Steinway Training Schools could exempt the exam requirement. I actually think the current exam environment is overkill for the level of skill we have to display, but that's me. It seems to me there could be a somewhat less intense means of recognizing and endorsing basic skills. Then, if we wanted to have a higher craftsman level, or better yet, a diverse set of "specializations", we could have a CAUT Endorsement or a Rebuilder Endorsement or a Concert Technician Endorsement. There would be no reason someone who was so inclined couldn't pursue more than one.<DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>We all have a different specialization. It's how we are wired. I rather enjoy the service side of the business, and I savor the challenge of concert work, but I'd probably be looking for a large caliber handgun if you put me in a rebuilder's shop for any length of time. I think rebuilder types are often wired the other way around.<BR><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>But as long as PTG sees the RPT status as cream of the crop, then IMO, a CAUT credential, or any other designation is completely unnecessary, and we need to continue to promote the RPT credential, educate faculties about workload, budget and salary, and work to improve the climate of opportunities for technicians interested in CAUT work.</DIV><DIV><BR class="khtml-block-placeholder"></DIV><DIV>Jeff</DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>