"...a cranky old man..." You sound like you think that's a bad thing. You kind of have to get there to understand it. snicker.
"...QC and final inspection are..." Expensive and are usually the first thing cut back during an economic down turn.
"...the $6 an hour..." That was almost twice the U.S. Federal minimum wage in 1986 of $3.35. Gallon of gas averaged $1.22US. Gallon of milk was $1.92US.
"...Companies would still be producing Colt Python level finishes..." Nobody but Colt ever turned out .357 revolvers with triggers like a Python. S'why Pythons have always been more expensive. The real issue with production quality stuff is the total lack of apprenticeships. All manufacturers think they shouldn't have to bother with training new guys and they refused to do it. They all want workies with 5 to 10 years experience and refuse to hire the new guys too. Those experienced guys are retired now with nobody trained to replace 'em. That's the result of the company's not training.
"...most corporations today are run by accountants and attorneys..." MBA's, not accountants and attorneys.
"...QC and final inspection are..." Expensive and are usually the first thing cut back during an economic down turn.
"...the $6 an hour..." That was almost twice the U.S. Federal minimum wage in 1986 of $3.35. Gallon of gas averaged $1.22US. Gallon of milk was $1.92US.
"...Companies would still be producing Colt Python level finishes..." Nobody but Colt ever turned out .357 revolvers with triggers like a Python. S'why Pythons have always been more expensive. The real issue with production quality stuff is the total lack of apprenticeships. All manufacturers think they shouldn't have to bother with training new guys and they refused to do it. They all want workies with 5 to 10 years experience and refuse to hire the new guys too. Those experienced guys are retired now with nobody trained to replace 'em. That's the result of the company's not training.
"...most corporations today are run by accountants and attorneys..." MBA's, not accountants and attorneys.