Auto Mechanics -- Not Exactly a Stress Free Job

One of the most stressful jobs in the automobile industry is that of auto mechanic or technician. These hearty souls face a seemingly unending backlog of cars requiring work - everything from oil changes to motor replacements. Most of the time, auto mechanics handle the pressure with aplomb, but sometimes, events spiral out of control, ending in tragedy.

One such story is that of Jason T. (not his real name). Jason was a recent graduate of Haaren High School in Manhattan, where he was trained in the automobile shop to work on German cars. He then took a series of technical courses at Bronx Community College and received ASE certification. He then took a job at a BMW dealership in New Jersey, where he started as a Repair Technician. He was delighted on his first day to see a well-stocked parts department - he was not accustomed to seeing brand new items such as a genuine BMW valve cover gasket instead of a cheap knockoff.

At first, Jason really enjoyed his new gig. But he began to notice that some customers he dealt with eyed him with a great deal of suspicion. Jason couldn't understand exactly what was happening, but he came to realize that the general public felt that this particular dealership had mechanics that specialized in "wall jobs". A wall job is the term mechanics use for parking a car next to the wall instead of servicing it. Jason couldn't understand this perception, since he always performed his work honestly - if he was told to replace a BMW ball joint, that would be exactly what he did.

One day, a regular customer named Tony brought in his car for an oil change and lube. Jason was about to begin work on the car when his boss reassigned the car to another mechanic. Jason thought nothing of it until Tony came in the next day to pick up the car and pay the charge of $129.50. But before Tony paid, he asked Jason to lift the lid. Tony used the dipstick to measure the oil level, and it was two quarts low, just as it was when he brought the car in. Tony pulled out a gun and short Jason in the chest. Jason was immediately killed, and Tony drove away with the car without paying his bill. The moral of the story is that being an automobile mechanic can be surprising stressful.