[BC] Scattered thoughts about the job...

[Burt I. Weiner]

The following are some of my scattered thoughts based on what I have seen 
and experienced in radio and TV.

I don't thinks it's as satisfying to simply swaps boards as it was when we 
had the time and facilities to repair down to the component level.  I think 
it was more satisfying when you could do that.  The time to do that is 
seldom available plus it's not practical to keep the myriad of components 
on hand plus it's difficult to find them in the local store if such a store 
even exists nearby.  We live in different times and to some degree, a 
different industry.  It's no longer the technical side of show 
business.  However, this is certainly not the main issue or problem.

I remember when the typical station's Chief Engineer was a very respected, 
knowledgeable member of the staff and his word was not questioned.  He was 
considered to have the best interests of the station at heart.  I rarely 
see that now.

I see "chief engineers" that are no more than handymen, scapegoats that 
have no knowledge of the technical side of the business and in all reality 
should not be allowed in the front door.  This is because no self 
respecting knowledgeable will accept the job, the pay, and its headaches.

What I perceive as the real issue in our industry's workplace is that the 
engineer is seldom treated as a worthwhile person.  They are generally 
treated as a "necessary evil" at best.  "Burn them out and then get another 
one".  I know of many situations where individuals are over worked, 12+ 
hours per day, expected to accomplish their assigned tasks and are not 
allowed to put in for any overtime.  I think that to a small degree this 
would be more palatable if the engineers were at least treated with 
demonstrative respect.

What I see as a most amazing fact is how little a knowledgeable (employee) 
engineer's advice is generally accepted.  Of course there are exceptions 
but they are indeed the exceptions to the rule.  When I see a really 
knowledgeable engineer being truly mistreated I suggest that they get out 
on their own.  That's easier said than done but it is doable if they have 
or can develop the business sense.  Quite often the same person coming back 
from the outside is considered to be much more knowledgeable and their 
advice is generally treated as good advice.  Management is much more 
willing to accept this advice for a handsome fee than they were when they 
had it essentially for free.  Is it because they are now paying handsomely 
for it?  I've experienced this and have seen it quite often.

This various issues have been described over and over on this and other 
lists.  We all know the stories.  I don't know the real answer but it is 
more than just education of a manager or PD.  It will need to be an 
attitude change of the industry which I am sorry to say, I don't see 
forthcoming.  De-regulation driven by the dollar has fostered much of the 
problem.  The problems will continue until there is some kind of an 
attitude adjustment and as long as the present attitude is accepted and as 
long as there are those willing to work under these condition.


Burt

At 04:02 PM 7/30/2005 -0400, you wrote:
>From: Donna Halper <dlh at donnahalper.com>
>Subject: Re: [BC] Do We Still Like Our Jobs?
>To: Broadcast Radio Mailing List <broadcast at radiolists.net>
>Message-ID:
>         <5.1.0.14.2.20050730014800.02cbeb48 at pop.registeredsite.com>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed
>
>Mike wrote:
>
> >I love radio and what I do. Radio just doesn't
> >seem to be as much fun as it used to be.
>
>Several people told me that.  Any theories about why it's not as much
>fun?  I know in some cases, owners have changed or there is more pressure
>on an engineer or he/she is expected to maintain a cluster of stations...
>but I'd think it would be somewhat easier to do the work these days--
>aren't some pieces of equipment easier to fix than they used to be years ago?

Burt I. Weiner Associates
Broadcast Technical Services
Glendale, California  U.S.A.
biwa at earthlink.net
K6OQK