Blaster,
The Inspector could not figure out what to shoot it down on. When I looked at it, my first thought was the XS reinforcement as you mentioned. Also, he overlooked the ground out U/C (XS of 1/32" deep) as seen in the first foto on the right hand side. I'm just taking the marathon welding tests with the rest of the gang, so it is not my duty to tell QC what to look for. Besides, this is just TOO FUNNY. I do believe the test facility will have this reject displayed in their foyer upon our departure.
I remember once a fellow coming in to take a 6" 6G 6010 test in a pair of nylon parachute pants. He should have been turned away for gross stupidity, however, that is not addressed in the code either. Said test candidate claimed 10 yrs pipe welding experience on resume. He "should" have been looked out on the root, BUT!, the humor factor (watching him squirm with each burn) and his learning experience dictated that he finish weld out before looking him out on U/C and something else on the cap.
I love my job! I could never pay to see a comedy act when I get paid to see this stuff on a regular basis.
FWIW, the man whose test is pictured here is another CWI. It is company policy that we Inspectors take the test (and encouraged), but not mandatory to pass it.