Tiff,
The sparks were flying off your post, girl. [Linked Image] With all respect, Mrs. Sparks, I wouldn't use the word grunts to describe them. Most of them are just trying to do their jobs. I do hold them partly responsible for not learning more about the industry. I hold the Big Blue, and the Large Orange management partly responsible for not better training their people. I also hold the uneducated consumer responsible as well. The fact is, there is a thing out there called freedom, and I grit my teeth when I say that people have a right (IMHO) to work on their own property. Why the teeth grinding, you ask? Because I hate the thought of someone getting killed with electrical work that they did with no qualifications, but in a free society, we are even free to be stupid.
IMHO education is the key. I think it holds true for all parties involved, but the largest burden should fall on the consumer. Why? Because it's their property, their family, their life that they are taking into their own hands by doing improper electrical work. I say these things with the utmost respect for all who post here, and I say it with part of myself in agreement, and the part of me at odds. My heart says, "They have no business doing this work. My head says, "You can't limit (more than already is) what people have the freedom to do.
Tiff, God Bless you, girl, for taking a stand, especially if it caused you to not get a job. If they can't handle the truth, you're better off not working for them anyway.

Sincerely, and Respectfully Yours,
Greg

The Watt Doctor
Altura Cogen
Channelview, TX