boots and bindings

Question
I have been alpine skiing for about 6 years, usually 1-2 weeks per year. Last year I bought my own equipment for the first time, and it was adjusted by the shop on delivery. In preparing for the new ski season, I hear that it is a good idea to have the bindings checked and re-adjusted if necessary. Being an aerospace engineer by trade, I always like to know what others are doing to my equipment, so I would like to learn as much as I can about how the bindings work and all the things that need to be checked and adjusted. Can you recommend a good source for a Ph.D.-level engineer who has no specific technical background relevant to skiing? And how does one identify a reputable shop?

Answer
Skier safety and the design of bindings have obviously been at the forefront of industry concerns of the past for many years. A great site to check out is that of one of the industry pioneers in research and testing design
http://www.vermontskisafety.com/ . From here you will probably be able to link to other sites. As far how to spot a good shop this is a little more difficult. I believe that a shop's attention to detail in terms of its tech shop's appearance, the amount of training that its staff receive and are required to have and the general reputation of the shop are going to be your only guide post. Good luck.