When Craig & I first started working for Monsanto in 1979, we realized there were 2 types of Engineers…TA's and PA's. Craig & I developed this scale. The nomenclature was Technical and Practical A…holes!!!  Me and Craig of course being the PA's.  I remember in the early 80's, an assignment was given to one of our TA's (Fred) to install a screen over a roof vent stack to keep bugs from entering.  This TA started a detailed pressure drop calculation to make sure there would be no impact on the air flow exiting the stack.  Craig & I looked at each other, with our wry chuckle of course, and said…just put a 3/16" mesh screen over it.  The TA scuffed at us.  The next day, the TA bought some wire mesh screen for the Maintenance Shop to install over the stack.  It was about 3/16".

The next year, Craig & I found an article (shown below...sorry about the scan quality) in the August 10, 1981 edition of Chemical Engineering magazine that made us think that being a TA might have its advantages.  After reading it…and looking at each other with the side-head tilting motion of my old Labrador Retriever…we decided that all we had to do was continue (as was our past practice) to put our beer in the frig the previous night.  We, the proud, will always be PA's!!!!!!!!!!

I have to say…when I think of the ordeal Craig & his Family & his Army has gone thru since the 1990's…the pix below pretty much sums up the general feeling.