I'm guessing that English may not be the primary language. To carry that further, most other counties refer to mechanics as engineers.

My brother worked for a legacy in the U.S. as a mechanic. He now works out of the country as an "engineer" for a foreign legacy airline.

However, he only has his A&P but not his R&E. But at the time when he was facing a layoff post 9/11, having his R&E would have opened a few more job oppurtunities for him in the U.S. One (at that time anyway) would have been as a sim tech at the airlines training facility. Again, at that time, extremely good pay, good schedule, not having to do a brake change at midnight at ORD in the winter outside, etc etc etc......