Level III: The Spanner in the Works (And Why That’s a Good Thing)

Ed Korkowski
May 25
2 min read

In 1985, Robert B. Cuthbert wrote a brilliant little satire titled “Level III—The Spanner in the Works.” It poked fun at the awkward, sometimes thankless, always complex role of the NDT Level III in nondestructive testing.

Decades later? Not much has changed.

Whether you're working in aerospace, nuclear, automotive, or pipeline integrity, the Level III is still the person everyone blames when things slow down—and the only one who can save the job when things go sideways.

Let’s break it down.

🛠 What Exactly Is a "Spanner in the Works"?

In British slang, it’s a wrench thrown into the gears of progress.

In NDT? It’s the Level III:

Saying “no” when everyone else is ready to sign off.
Rewriting a procedure minutes before a job starts.
Insisting on a better calibration block—again.

And yet, it’s that very resistance that keeps bad calls off good parts, protects the public, and upholds the integrity of your inspection program.

🧠 The Level III Skillset (That Nobody Tells You About)

Yes, you need technical depth. But the real job? It’s a soft skills masterclass:

Negotiating between engineers, QA, and regulators
Writing procedures so clean they can survive an audit
Convincing leadership that "faster" and "cheaper" aren’t always better
Knowing when to speak... and when to shut up

The job is less “guru with a probe” and more “diplomat with a clipboard.”

🔍 The Daily Reality

If you're already a Level III, you’ll recognize these situations:

Being asked to "just sign off" on something that clearly doesn't meet criteria.
Inheriting 1980s procedures written in hieroglyphics.
Juggling ten questions at once from techs, auditors, and upper management.
Dragging a suitcase full of standards and probes through airport security.

And let’s not forget the bonus round: defending decisions after the fact—even when you weren’t consulted in the first place.

😅 Why This Still Matters Today

Cuthbert’s satire hit a nerve because it was real. And it’s still real.

Today’s Level IIIs are:

Writing AI-assisted acceptance criteria
Reviewing auto-analysis software for false negatives
Dealing with global supply chains, changing standards, and aging workforces

But the core challenge is the same: holding the line when everyone else wants to move it.

🧭 Final Thought

If you’re studying to become a Level III, here’s a truth bomb:

This job isn’t just about knowing NDT. It’s about knowing people.

Sometimes you’re the wrench that stops the machine—but only because you saw the bolt that was about to fail.

Wear that role with pride. Be the spanner in the works. Because in NDT, slowing things down for the right reasons is what keeps planes flying, turbines spinning, and pipelines intact.

🎓 Thinking of going for your Level III? Start with training that teaches both technique and leadership. Visit eddycurrent.com to learn more.