Rallypoint tells me Ford needs a Linux admin. That brings me to my question - who here has ever touched IBM Unix-based AIX? How can I ?

Long ago when I worked with IBM I used to be involved in AIX software installations. Almost every large company has AIX somewhere it is usually on the RS6000 line of IBM boxes. Linux is preferred now because it is open source and some companies are moving AIX to Linux. So these days you will find not a whole lot of AIX work and more Linux work. You can take and pay for a AIX system admin course from a whole range of vendors. Yes it is pricey $2-3k each but might open the doors for you otherwise. When I was with IBM they sponsored me on the first two AIX system admin courses and then stopped since I was only installing software. The classes were good though and had hands on labs.

Trailblaze, you shall not.