This presentation will focus on a number of examples where direct field observations were the key to understanding field damage issues. On multiple occasions the author has found the most significant problems in the field have not been reported by those closest to the situation. Though field measurements are important to better understand physical hazards to packaged products, many of the hazards causing expensive problems to corporations are not capable of being measured with typical data recorders. This presentation will demonstrate the importance of personally observing the distribution system to understand the most consistent types of failures, why and where they occur, and then to consider the range of options that may resolve the issues.