[mb911]

Wow what a great thread. I have been teaching welding trades for 23 years and prior to that in industry. I have really enjoyed this Thread and appreciate the perspectives. I can tell you that my experience as an aerospace welder fabricator was quality, quality, quality as number 1. We spend so much time ensuring that every part was to all the drawings, multiple NDT methods etc. This was 30 years ago and that company still operates the same way to this day. They are a slow and steady wins the race company that employs 40ish people.

In my current job we train high level welders to go into the trades like manufacturing, Steamfitters, Ironworkers, boiler makers, Elevator erectors ,etc. I can tell you from my experience that the union trades company's are 100% all about job done right. They don't do things half assed. It is either right or not done at all. The manufactures are 50/50 on this. We work with some great manufactures that expect 90+% first pass yields and nothing goes out the door that is even suspect. The other 50% we work with make non critical type of components like chairs/tables/ storage carts, lock mechanisms, lighting, etc.

Maybe it is somewhat a location type of thing? Maybe a size of the company type of thing? I am not sure but at least in our region quality is king in the sectors we provide trained workers to