<!doctype html public "-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en"> <html> <body bgcolor="#FFFFFF"> David,     I doubt from the tone of your post that you are truly interested in an answer but I believe I shall attempt to answer from my point of view anyway.     I have been an associate for 18 years now and see no reason to "upgrade". I spend a great deal of time attempting to improve my skills on a continuing basis. I believe this qualifies me as having" made the effort". I recognize the needs of many to go through a designed program to prove to themselves and the world around them that they have learned. Still others are highly qualified in their experiences such that this becomes unnecessary. Consider the position of a rebuilder. There is currently no qualification for someone who does not tune but is otherwise gainfully occupied in the pursuit of rebuilding pianos. Some of those folk are putting out absolutely stellar work and have not "upgraded".     I am also keenly aware that in my 18 years of serving the public with my abilities that I 1) have never had someone ask me if I was a member of the PTG much less an RPT and, 2) am regularly highly praised for the work I do. In the case of a physician, that group of people have been very successful in forwarding the agenda they have as to the "right" way to heal. Consider, if you will, the many other forms of healing both within and without this great country of ours. Now that the AMA and it's various accredidations is so powerful is everyone else now considered "unlearned"? I have a difficult time with this thought process.     Concerning your triple duty statement I disagree. Being an RPT does not and will never ensure quality to the consumer any more than you are ever ensured the correct diagnosis of aliments from your family doctor. Neither does it guarantee respect from your peers as I have lost respect for some RPT's that I know of based on work I've seen and their treatment of their customer. Lastly, why would the letter RPT after someone's name inspire confidence in our profession? I truly do not understand this statement.     I'm sure that your motives are pure and that you wish the very best for all connected with this fine profession. Please understand that the way you choose for yourself is not necessarily the way for everyone. Nor does it need to be. Granted that you probably think of this as garbage and prejudice since the agenda is different from your own. Nevertheless I thought I would try anyway. Best of luck to you in your endeavors. Greg Newell David & Julie Streit wrote: <blockquote TYPE=CITE><style></style> I'd like to know WHY an associate won't upgrade. As an associate to associates, I don't understand why, if this is your profession, won't you make the effort?  Some may not be able to draw a linear correlation, but I expect a doctor, lawyer, or any professional that I am paying for a service to be tested.  They should be worth their salt. They feel responsibility to their profession and proudly display their certificates and titles. Some of these professionals are answerable to their profession such as a doctor to the medical board or a lawyer to the bar association, and that agency has the power to police its own ranks.  How do you think a doctor might feel about seeing an unlicensed (untested) physician practicing medicine, especially in view of his dedication to the hypocritical oath?  They might be a fine physician, but there's a lot we don't know. How much more can we as associates expect to earn the recognition from our profession than to prove ourselves by going through the upgrade process?  The Piano Technician's Guild is not a regulatory agency, but it does have a code of ethics.  You believe in this code of ethics or you would not be an associate or signed the back of your membership card. Another point: You may not get along with some of the other members who are RPTs...who cares?  Life's tough.  Get over it or through it and find someone else to share ideas with. You're entitled to your opinion, they are entitled to theirs.  Technique may differ, but the quality end product should be the same for us all.  The trick is to find someone(s) you can learn with and from, and DON'T GET COCKY.  It irks others and it's the first dangerous step to having a closed mind. You can't learn anymore till you get rid of that attitude.  Nada...Zip. Being an RPT in the Piano Technician's Guild does triple duty, it ensures quality to the consumer, respect from your peers, and confidence in our profession. I expect to get some garbage and prejudice in reply, but I also think there can be some valuable information brought out. David StreitAssociate (But not for long)AAA Piano ServicePortland, Oregon</blockquote> -- Greg Newell Greg's Piano Forté 12970 Harlon Ave. Lakewood, Ohio 44107 216-226-3791 <A HREF="mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net">mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net</A>   </body> </html>