Made my day
 

About 7 years ago I was running a repair service center for the largest pump manufacturer in the world.
The average pump repair through that shop was in the $50k range and some of them got up into the quarter mil range.
These were very large, very exotic and high energy pumps.

One of my "best" customers was a total PITA. He sent me about $1-1/2 mil work of work per year (from the company he worked for) but this asshat thought he was was God's gift to pump engineering.
He was constantly trying to prove that he knew more than anyone (including me) about all things related to pumps, even though he could barely spell pump.

I tried to be nice and explain the affinity laws and how things actually work but it wasn't easy, he'd be making up technical words trying to bluff me like he did his bosses, it was all I could do to keep from slamming him hard. Especially when he'd get condescending and say crap like "I don't know why I waste my time dealing with people like you". He was in a word, a BLUFF. That summed up his career and his person. a BLUFF.

Well anywho, I just recieved a e-mail invite to a BS seminar, the type that come along, .... oh about every half hour.
Industry spam is basically all the are.
I glanced at it, and this enema-nozzle (tm) is presenting it.

MR. expert at everything is now hocking 3rd rate gimmick products. Not quite down to the sham-wow level but awful close.

isn't irony ironic?

You can only BS for so long before someone calls you on it. The asshat just should have been decent to people. Many people can tolerate a friendly fool, but a jackwad is another story...

I like your job. You work with any wastewater management engineers?

you might want to drop in on the "seminar"

....or they promote you to VP.

sad but true.

fixed it for ya

On the one hand there is substance........and on the other hand there is politics, BS, posturing, fluff, etc. I occasionally see the former. I watch the latter ALL DAY LONG.

LOL I used to work with folks like that although most of the pumps I got involved with were API style higher end and higher pressure machines, not usually what you'd find on wastewater treatment. It wasn't unusual to have a pump show up that was worth several million $$$.

A couple of "poopy" engineers I've met were very good at their job, people I respected.
I've also met one or two that had to be reminded to breathe or they would turn blue.

I'm back being an end user now as opposed to being a vendor so I don't have to deal with external customers anymore. Less stressful but lots more business politics.

I'm responsible for a machine shop/repair shop, a weld shop, and a transportation department garage now, here's a picture of the machine shop:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1296674067.jpg


Here's a picture of a centrifugal barrel compressor we overhauled recently. 4000 hp motor to spin it, and it turns at around 13,000 rpm pumping hydrogen at 2000# discharge
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1296674035.jpg

We have two numbskulls that have been bumped to Veep status. These guys, while different in there own right, are inept as the sun is bright. They do however share another common characteristic - they are 100% loyal to the big boss. The big boss is ex-military and ex-astronaught. He is a great guy in that you always know where you stand with him, he is very very smart and he doesn't take crap from anyone ever - including the owners. He is a great commander and rewards loyalty over talent.

Years ago, over a few Scotches on the road he said "Mike, if you had the choice of leading a group of brilliant men or a group of men that would do anything for you which would you pick?" My answer is simple - take the loyal bunch. They might not be the brightest but they will follow your orders till they die. The smart talent will always look to question your command or worse, try to take it from you. He agreed.

Yet another reason why I don't want a high command post...

Go to the seminar and take on the role of "expert" on whatever product he is shilling--dismiss his information and product and walk out.

I hate to admit that thought actually crossed my mind but it wouldn't be good for my rep, plus if I did that I'd just feel petty. No real satisfaction would come out of it.