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Metalworking (rec.crafts.metalworking) Discuss various aspects of working with metal, such as machining, welding, metal joining, screwing, casting, hardening/tempering, blacksmithing/forging, spinning and hammer work, sheet metal work. |
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Cleaning up the shop
"F. George McDuffee" wrote An example of this was the severe shortage of "rough necks"/"floor workers" during the last U. S. oil boomlet a few years ago. Unka George (George McDuffee) I worked as a crane operator on a drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico. The starter job roustabouts (laborers) in my crew could take classes, and move up to the floor for about $200 a week more. Most took it, but some didn't want anything close to that floor. A good "hand" (worker) takes a while to train, and IF they don't get mangled first, figure out fast that it ain't all it's put up to be on TV. Cold. Wet. Dirty filthy work. They then may go up to pump man, derrick man, or even driller or mud man. It's hard to find men who are willing to put up with conditions like that even for what they pay. Which is pretty decent, yet with the disruptive on/off scheduling, and working two weeks out of four, it doesn't add up to as much as a decent job onshore. And then there's going away from wife and kids for a week or more at a time. I'm speaking of the time frame I was there from '74 to '80 when it was like Gold Rush Days, and jobs were plentiful. Never knew who would show up, who would stay, who would get hurt, so you just managed from there and did the best with what you had to work with. It's very easy to lose body parts on a drill floor. The heavy metal is unforgiving, and everything is heavy. And today, it is VERY difficult to find people who want to work HARD. I'd underscore HARD, but can't. It's hard to comprehend unless you've been there. Steve |
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Cleaning up the shop
On Thu, 21 Jan 2010 12:30:19 -0800, "Steve B"
wrote: "F. George McDuffee" wrote An example of this was the severe shortage of "rough necks"/"floor workers" during the last U. S. oil boomlet a few years ago. Unka George (George McDuffee) I worked as a crane operator on a drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico. The starter job roustabouts (laborers) in my crew could take classes, and move up to the floor for about $200 a week more. Most took it, but some didn't want anything close to that floor. A good "hand" (worker) takes a while to train, and IF they don't get mangled first, figure out fast that it ain't all it's put up to be on TV. Cold. Wet. Dirty filthy work. They then may go up to pump man, derrick man, or even driller or mud man. It's hard to find men who are willing to put up with conditions like that even for what they pay. Which is pretty decent, yet with the disruptive on/off scheduling, and working two weeks out of four, it doesn't add up to as much as a decent job onshore. And then there's going away from wife and kids for a week or more at a time. I'm speaking of the time frame I was there from '74 to '80 when it was like Gold Rush Days, and jobs were plentiful. Never knew who would show up, who would stay, who would get hurt, so you just managed from there and did the best with what you had to work with. It's very easy to lose body parts on a drill floor. The heavy metal is unforgiving, and everything is heavy. And today, it is VERY difficult to find people who want to work HARD. I'd underscore HARD, but can't. It's hard to comprehend unless you've been there. Steve Ive worked floor, derricks, mud and pits Ive worked workover and drilling Some rigs work harder than others..I always liked working with old guys. I learned a hell of a lot more about getting the job done, but not breaking ones back or losing a body part, then I ever did with a young crew. And yes...its Hard work. And Ive bailed out of the derrick of a triple on the safety wire, with the rig starting to blow and burn behind me. Gunner The current Democratic party has lost its ideological basis for existence. - It is NOT fiscally responsible. - It is NOT ethically honorable. - It has started wars based on lies. - It does not support the well-being of americans - only billionaires. - It has suppresed constitutional guaranteed liberties. - It has foisted a liar as president upon America. - It has violated US national sovereignty in trade treaties. - It has refused to enforce the national borders. ....It no longer has valid reasons to exist. Lorad474 |
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