One premature lamp explosion or one lost show will more than offset the savings in not paying enough to retain skilled (or even just competent) projectionists.

I do not mean to paint all of these new "operators" with the same brush. There are some who are genuinely concerned with putting on a good performance, and unfortunately, there are others as well.

Often, it is necessary, once they get all performances started in a complex, for them to return to the main floor for other duties, leaving the equipment totally unattended.

All I am trying to do here, is discuss ways (given the current circumstances) to minimize the chance of disasters. If it is within my capabilities to prevent the possibliltiy of this failure from happening, how can I not?

By the way, I broke my own rule. Yesterday, I arrogantly stated that console sail switches should NEVER be by-passed. Today, I did just that in order to start a show. I then proceeded to the roof, (hottest day here so far, of course) and replaced the fan belt. I should report here that I removed the by-pass at the end of the first show, but the pager had other ideas. Tommorrow for sure!