Copper Talk » Open Forum » So what do YOU do for a living? whats it like?

« Previous Next »

Author Message   Kid_vicious Senior Member Username: Kid_vicious Post Number: 2030 Registered: 9-2004 Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 12:38 am:        i thought it would be a pleasant diversion to tell the other members what it is you put yourself through on a daily basis to put food on the table and radios in the shack. i'll start: i work backstage at a show on the las vegas strip, called Mamma Mia. i am the head of automation which means that anything that is controlled by a winch motor that moves on the stage is my gig. i sit at a big console surrounded by racks of equipment and it looks like i could launch the space shuttle from here. in reality, i just push a button when a little light bulb goes off, and watch the pieces do their thing. pretty boring usually, which is why i am on here so darn much. the hard part of my job comes if and when something breaks. then i have to switch into action mode, and get everything stopped so no one gets hurt. lots of responsibility, and if my stuff messes up, everyone in the audience will know it, as the show will come to a screeching halt. but i do alot of preventative maintainance, and try to guess what the next thing to give up the ghost will be, so i can replace it BEFORE it breaks. so basically, my job is, push button, get banana.LOL if anyone wants to know more, or how i ended up here, feel free to ask. matt NEXT...   Bruce Senior Member Username: Bruce Post Number: 4027 Registered: 9-2003 Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 6:00 am:        I work at the PINELLAS COUNTY JAIL clearwater fl. Mainly I keep almost 2000 radios running but this shop also installs and maintains a wide range of electronic devices. I get to meet lots of interesting and sometimes SCARY people ....... NEXT ......   Jeff Junior Member Username: Jeff Post Number: 40 Registered: 8-2005 Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 8:39 am:        My job is to hold my desk chair down and make sure the batterys in my mouse still work.it is real boring and don't pay anything but someone has to do it.Before I became disabled and put on the social security waiting list I drove trucks for 21 years. Jeff CEF636 Moderator636   Coyote Advanced Member Username: Coyote Post Number: 868 Registered: 11-2004 Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 8:47 am:        I work for the local government in Nashville TN. as an administrator in the Purchasing Dept. for Metropolitan Davidson County Schools. I police millions of dollars in purchases made by the ump-teen hundred employees that have been handed credit cards. I also write, process, track and make sure everything is in order for millions of dollars in contracts and sometimes have to be a lawyer, which I'm not paid to be nor do I have the official training, but do it just the same. I manage the fuel cards for the hundreds of vehicles used daily plus whatever else the boss throw's my way. Quite boring to say the least but I've got 18 years in and can't see myself going anywhere else right now. It helps pay the bills and it's got decent insurance which is a must with the bunch I've got. NEXT....   1861 Advanced Member Username: 1861 Post Number: 554 Registered: 2-2004 Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 9:26 am:        RETIRED POLICE OFFICER   Geekster Intermediate Member Username: Geekster Post Number: 188 Registered: 6-2004 Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 9:30 am:        I work for a large electrical products manufacture in the engineering department. Here is a snippet of my duties... Test Engineer, dyne testing of AC/DC motors, speed and torque, wind tunnel, and locked rotor testing. Assemble Instruction manuals, assemble, maintain and troubleshoot test equipment. Perform UL / CE / CSA certification testing in a NVLAP certified laboratory. Magtrol and LabView computer collection software for motor performance. Attended Microsoft Excel, Word, and Power Point. Management Excellence / leadership training programs. Formerly a lead technician for Palstar, and Para Dynamics Corporation. Geekster   Chad Senior Member Username: Chad Post Number: 1054 Registered: 11-2004 Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 9:40 am:        I now work at the University Of Illinois School Of Music as an Electronics Engineer. If you don't blow thru it, bow it, pluck it, or hit it, I fix it! If it is obscure and not made I make it. I also design and install recording studios, spec and oversee the rental and operation of the performance audio systems we use on a regular basis. I oversee 11 recording studios, 6 performance venues, 56 classrooms and 12 lecture halls in 5 buildings. I will soon be teaching entry level performance audio, it's a new class to get the kids used to being on stage and what to expect. I do contract work form the home for an audio test equipment maker (I prefer not to name) and do repairs for local musicians that I have remained in touch with. I also do contract audio engineering work and am the regular engineer for 2 weekend-warrior bands, I still have a small arsenal of audio equipment but has downsized from....... Before this I was a touring audio engineer, I lived on a bus for a long time, traveled all summer and was rarely home in the summer months. In the winter I was a broadcast engineer/repair tech, my boss was the chief engineer for a local conglomerate and also owned a repair shop that did ALL of the electronics repair for all the music stores in a large radius of Central Illinois. I manned the shop pretty much full time and did 90% of the repairs. When he went total corporate he was stationed here but had to go do station builds all over the US, at this point I became the solder monkey and acting chief engineer for the stations. When his builds got rough I went with him, idled the shop out, and put another BE in command. I worked for myself for the most part and did what I wanted. I was self employed right out of college THEN got a structured job, is that bakkids? Chad   Diggerodell Member Username: Diggerodell Post Number: 96 Registered: 1-2002 Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 9:56 am:        Funeral Director / Embalmer   Triple1 Junior Member Username: Triple1 Post Number: 14 Registered: 8-2003 Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 10:14 am:        power plant unit operator-I control one of 5-650 MW units-when i'm on duty   Tech833 Intermediate Member Username: Tech833 Post Number: 116 Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 10:16 am:        I am the Chief Engineer of 9 radio stations, and contract to 17 others.   Streaky Junior Member Username: Streaky Post Number: 18 Registered: 3-2006 Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 10:20 am:        I worked for 20 years as a carpenter building houses and a mutitude of other things. Now I am getting into home inspections because my back does not like lifting walls and beams anymore   Yankee Senior Member Username: Yankee Post Number: 1300 Registered: 7-2003 Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 10:29 am:        Retired chef of some 40 years, mostly in the Italian foods, pizza and submarine sandwiches. Can still scare up a mean pizza at 68 years young. Have also worked in convience stores as ASST. manager, grocery stores as a cashier. Still to this day I'm very good at bicycle and electronics repair, my younger years I rebuilt many a bicycle, making a good piece of change, and a lot of happy families who couldn't afford a new bicycle for their children. Carl CEF-357   Moderator1516 Moderator Username: Moderator1516 Post Number: 308 Registered: 8-2005 Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 10:39 am:        the skillet licker has been a farmer - base ball stitcher a butcher and boner small truck driver factory worker-machine operator-set up -maintence security officer grocery clerk retired from kroger as sea food ,manager,the worse job in the store moderator1516   Tech237 Moderator Username: Tech237 Post Number: 509 Registered: 4-2004 Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 11:56 am:        Currently working (part-time) to support the election software in 6 States (Oregon, Maryland, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana & Iowa) and waiting to hear back from my application to teach computers to High School students.   Pmb1108 Intermediate Member Username: Pmb1108 Post Number: 128 Registered: 10-2005 Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 12:25 pm:        I work as a design engineer for a company that makes actuators for military and commercial aircraft.Two new commercial aircraft coming out in the next couple years will have our wing flap actuators on them.Care to fly anymore?????????? Paul CEF662   Tomcatinva Intermediate Member Username: Tomcatinva Post Number: 101 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 1:02 pm:        Wow lots of talent out there!! Let's see past to present... in a nut shell... Salesman, Aircraft Maintenance Specialist, Electronics Inspector, Computer Service Customer Rep 15+ years, and now Test Engineer (can't say for who or what as I would have to shoot ya... ).   Capt205 Intermediate Member Username: Capt205 Post Number: 132 Registered: 5-2005 Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 1:13 pm:        26 years in the Fire service, currently asigned to Special Operations/Technical Rescue. Member of Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 3. WTC, arrived on the 13th and worked 26 days on the pile. I've seen alot of hearbreak/tragedy in those 26 years, but would'nt trade it for anything. Also do Emergency Response contract work for Sprint/Nextel.   852 Member Username: 852 Post Number: 84 Registered: 3-2006 Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 1:25 pm:        Truck driver since 1985, both over the road, and currently dump trucking locally in the North Western mountains of N.C.   Navyrebel782003 Intermediate Member Username: Navyrebel782003 Post Number: 262 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 5:14 pm:        Worked as a wildland firefighter for 1 1/2 years, then joined the Navy 7 1/2 years ago and still there. I am an electrician on F/A 18's, the older ones, not the new super hornet, but that's about it for now. James CEF#590 CVC#49 Va Beach   Af579 Member Username: Af579 Post Number: 65 Registered: 6-2003 Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 5:15 pm:        What I did: Medical discharged Deputy Marshal 9 years General Manager of a private security and investigation firm District Sales Manager of Sunbeam Bread Route Manager Schwan's food What I do now: Plant Manager for a concrete company.   Mdiver Intermediate Member Username: Mdiver Post Number: 444 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 6:26 pm:        Lets see Heavy Equipment Operator Local #3 yes Union Now retired at the old age of 55. 2005 This is the first year that I had a summer off in 36 years and going to INJOY many more as long as 55 year old brain can hold up to the 70 year old body.. Having a great time traveling and not worring about getting home in time to go back to work.   Tech237 Moderator Username: Tech237 Post Number: 510 Registered: 4-2004 Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 7:17 pm:        Well I did not include the DJ/roadie/Sound & lights for stage productions (all part time), magazine writer (3 years writing monthly column), Disaster Services or Search & rescue roles.   Rover Intermediate Member Username: Rover Post Number: 407 Registered: 2-2004 Posted on Thursday, August 31, 2006 - 9:25 pm:        Retired railroad! What I do now is make HF mobile antennas, woodworking, and going to hamfests. A bit of fishing. Hanging out the airport on Sundays. Stuff like that.   Moderator476 Moderator Username: Moderator476 Post Number: 91 Registered: 7-2006 Posted on Friday, September 01, 2006 - 12:25 am:        Trucker Driver right out of High School Went to USA Truck Driving Academy Inc in Newark Delaware in 1985.. Drove for the Pizza Chain (Hungry Howie) as a in state route drive for 10 years. now retired do to bad hearing (DOT) Can and would very much love to get back on the road again as I have once again passed the DOT Test (With new Hearing Aids)but not drove in the last 11 years now. It's hard to get anyone to hire me.. So pretty much I'm A Truck Driver out of work on Social Security becouse of my hearing... George Moderator476 CEF476(Starface)   Unit199 Intermediate Member Username: Unit199 Post Number: 316 Registered: 8-2003 Posted on Friday, September 01, 2006 - 2:29 am:        MILITARY 5 AND A HALF YEARS,NIGHT SUPERVISOR OF ARMY AMMO PLANT, PRO BOWLER, PUT UP PRE-FAB HOMES, TRUCK DRIVER, BROADCAST ENGINEER AND NOW DISABLED(NOT BY CHOICE) HARVE UNIT199   Hotwire Senior Member Username: Hotwire Post Number: 1712 Registered: 1-2005 Posted on Friday, September 01, 2006 - 3:54 am:        I work at a company called NSK. NSK stands for Nippon Sieko and some word I can never pronounce. I operate a series of heavy machinery. Grinders to put it simple. BIG grinders. We fabricate bearings. The hubs and all the junk inside to make the wheels spin smoothly on Toyotas Volkswagons Suburus Hondas and many other makes of foriegn cars trucks and SUV's. Its a very precision type high qaulity controlled type of manufacturing. A micrometer is one of my handiest most valuable tools. My duties are maintaining trouble shooting and operating the manufacturing equipment. If you own any type of foriegn vehicle chances are it has NSK bearings in and on it.   Hyperno_1979 Intermediate Member Username: Hyperno_1979 Post Number: 126 Registered: 12-2005 Posted on Friday, September 01, 2006 - 8:45 am:        Hydraulics Technician.... Anyone need a 3 stage hoist cylinder for a CAT 793 re-built?..lol.. Or a ripper cylinder on a Komatsu 575?....or even a re-hose on a CAT D11R? Just a bit of fun with you lot. Noticed how many of you blokes are in electrical or electronic trades. Now i get the idea of where all the knowledge comes from. Now work for a family owned company and could not be happier, great people, good money, and no longer have to be on call. No more babysitting a mobile phone at all hours of the night and still get $24.50 an hour......gotta love it. CEFFFCEF Bob CEF703.   Sinker Intermediate Member Username: Sinker Post Number: 431 Registered: 8-2005 Posted on Friday, September 01, 2006 - 11:11 am:        Went into the Military straight out of High School, then Police Officer, Restaurant Owner and then Retired. Oops got married and had kids - (hey hind sight is 20/20 I was to old to do both but did and don't regret it) had to go back to work - Government Contractor GSA Services Consultant and Security Specialist. 2nd child, a Son born with MAJOR Medical Issues and needed Constant Home Care - Turned my Fishing Web-site into my present business. Get a couple million hits a week on it so see a good amount of traffic between the sites but the money isn't great - struggling now compared to what we were used to but my son is worth every bit of it. We have our own line of High End Custom Fishing Rods and the typical website swag - hats, shirts and stuff but most the money comes from advertisers. Oh and my boss (ME) can be a jerk some times and never gives me a raise. Sometimes he is a slave driver making me work 12+ hour days, 7 days a week like lately. By months end our newest site will be up and on-line so then things will hopefully calm down a little - I hope, I hope, I hope. Nothing fancy here and no great skills just trying to live life the best I can and enjoy it with my family and friends. Son is doing better now - 23 months old and 10 surgeries later. So I may look at going back to a real job soon. I guess you could say a stay at home Daddy and Care Giver for now. Hey - How do you know if a car was built on a Monday or Friday ???   Wildchild Junior Member Username: Wildchild Post Number: 33 Registered: 9-2003 Posted on Friday, September 01, 2006 - 2:51 pm:        Retired supervisor from local government street department. ( Remember when your mother told you to go and play in traffic little did my mother knkow I would make a living doing that very thing) Was incharge of the traffic signshop. We made installed maintained 27,000 state and local street signs and overseen the road striping. Operated a computer generated sign making equipment.   Ronin New member Username: Ronin Post Number: 7 Registered: 8-2006 Posted on Friday, September 01, 2006 - 8:29 pm:        Police Officer for 19 years in an urban area. Lots of politics and nonsense! I'd rather deal with scumbags than deal with the politicians! I still like the job, but I am looking forward to retirement. Maybe then I'll hand out smiley stickers at Wal-Mart! :-) Worked in Nuclear security for 2 years. Also worked as an Industrial mechanic and mechanical contractor for a total of 7 years prior to security and police work. I also have taught private martial arts and self-defense classes for the past 24 years. With all the knowledge and expertise on this forum we certainly could start, build and maintain our own community! There would never be a dull moment on the radio that's for sure! Jim - CEF-813 / K3ZOR   Flat_top New member Username: Flat_top Post Number: 7 Registered: 1-2006 Posted on Friday, September 01, 2006 - 9:34 pm:        I started in the Marine Corps as a Field Radio Operator. I've been through several tech schools, HF, VHF and SatCom. I did 2 deployments to Iraq working as the Multi Channel and Single Channel Radio Chief. I'm currently the IT Manager and run the Operations Section.   Unit199 Intermediate Member Username: Unit199 Post Number: 317 Registered: 8-2003 Posted on Saturday, September 02, 2006 - 4:35 am:        I WAS RE-READING THE POSTS AND I DISCOVERED THAT LON-TECH808 LEFT OUT THE JOB HE HAS THAT DOES NOT PAY ANYTHING AND HE PUTS A LOT OF HOURS INTO IT. IT IS ALL THE THINGS THAT HAS TO DO WITH COPPER ELECTRONICS FORUM. I DO NOT KNOW HOW HE DOES IT AND AND KEEPS EVERYTHING ELSE IN HIS LIFE GOING. I TAKE MY HAT OFF AND THANK HIM VERY MUCH FOR WHAT HE DOES FOR ALL OF US. ALSO, I DON'T WANT TO FORGET TO MENTION HIS GREAT WIFE SHIRLEY BEING INVOLVED AND LETTING HIM DO THIS FOR US. THANKS LON AND SHIRLEY. HARVE UNIT199 CEF210 HAM#10 CVC#18   Wendy Intermediate Member Username: Wendy Post Number: 112 Registered: 6-2004 Posted on Saturday, September 02, 2006 - 8:25 am:        I work as a paraprofessional at a local elementary school. I work with special needs children. I am also a part time custodian at First Baptist.   Allan Intermediate Member Username: Allan Post Number: 191 Registered: 2-2006 Posted on Saturday, September 02, 2006 - 9:28 am:        Le'see. Sacker, stocker, checker, mechanic, carpenter, welder, fabricator, photographer, whseman, counter sales, painter, furniture humper, mill and lathe machinist, landscaper, Class A (O/O and Co.) OTR, regional, and local pulling refer, hopper, flat, and lowboy... To tired to remember if there is anything I missed....   Kb5lpa Intermediate Member Username: Kb5lpa Post Number: 208 Registered: 8-2002 Posted on Saturday, September 02, 2006 - 10:21 am:        I am the assistant band director at a large h.s. in Texas. It is like being a parent,custodian, travel representative, fund-raiser coordinator, bill collector, punishment officer, instrument repairman,secretary, psychologist, entertainment coordinator, marching band drill instructor, doctor, wardrobe fitting coordinator, shoe salesman (band shoes have to be fitted and $ collected), electronics tech (p.a., small electronic metronomes and tuner s used daily), concession stand coordinator (unload deliveries), volunteer coordinator (where are the parents supposed to be?), computer tech (grades, communications), advisor (to non members of the band), librarian (music, inventory), accounts officer (what budget does that come from??), plus maybe get to actually teach class each day to get the kids to be as good as they can possibly be as they play their instruments. 73, KB5LPA   Grumpy8220 Intermediate Member Username: Grumpy8220 Post Number: 118 Registered: 3-2002 Posted on Saturday, September 02, 2006 - 10:34 am:        Retired Had to retire in 2002 due to health problems. Before that I worked for Coca Cola as the Bulk Department Sales Manager. Now I just play around with my radios, pal around with my Yellow and Black Labs and try to enjoy life the best that I can!   Road_warrior Senior Member Username: Road_warrior Post Number: 1879 Registered: 7-2004 Posted on Saturday, September 02, 2006 - 3:23 pm:        Disabled due to health problems. Before i worked at Commercial Envelope Co. in Altoona Pa. from 1981 to 2003. I changed the machines for proper size and specifications for the envelope and kept the machines running. Did work for Carol Wright, Sears, Publishers Clearing House, and alot of major companies. We did jobs most other envelope companies would not touch. Envelopes that had very large poly windows, perfs, alot of printing ect.   Ferd1605 Junior Member Username: Ferd1605 Post Number: 19 Registered: 1-2005 Posted on Sunday, September 03, 2006 - 1:37 am:        Drove truck from 1979 to 1981 .. then , spent 18 yrs in aircraft avionics , at same time , 10 yrs as firefighter , got burned out on both of them , so back driving truck , home every nite , great pay , and 450 to 650 miles a day and still home by 2:30pm, but early mornin starts {by my choice}.   Moderator136 Moderator Username: Moderator136 Post Number: 299 Registered: 4-2005 Posted on Sunday, September 03, 2006 - 9:45 am:        Im a certified welder and tool and die maker in the state of Iowa. Some of the things that i have made clock parts for a 128 year old court house. Made proto types of snowplows and has been patent.Made some Machines that make wine barrels for France.Made core drilling equipment for the U.S. government.Made equipment for meat processing plants.Also make obsolete parts for farm machines and old cars and trucks. I like what a do and injoy it, I work for the owner of the shop, And i occasionally i will hire a apprentice to work for me. In the past i worked for big companys such as Chevron,Monsanto,Fisher Control,Everco,Chamberlan mfg,Rockwell,Plexco mfg,Excell,Cargill,Iowa Malleable Iron foundry. Most of all i injoy being moderator for the COPPER FORUM This is the best Internet Forum there is.......... And proud to be part of it! The best part iv met and talked to so many good freinds that will help you all the way, You cant beat that. ? ever heard the old saying( The birds of the same color flock together) Lots of good talent here!!!! I know we are good and going to get better. 73 Moderator 136 CEF 136 kc0svc CVC#4 (R CA}   Dxmodulator Junior Member Username: Dxmodulator Post Number: 44 Registered: 11-2004 Posted on Sunday, September 03, 2006 - 12:14 pm:        Started as dishwasher in high school. After high school I went onto school for electronics then worked for a pc fab shop, went back to school and learned to be a welder. I am now employed as a welder whos work gets shiped world wide.   Akbowtie Member Username: Akbowtie Post Number: 62 Registered: 5-2005 Posted on Sunday, September 03, 2006 - 12:15 pm:        Building Automation Systems (BAS) Programmer/Technician. Work mostly with the US Coast Guard bases up here in Alaska. Travel all over the State of Alaska to every nook and cranny there is. Love the job, but hate the travel times. Hate being shipped out to the middle of no where, like Kotlik Alaska in January, when it's 40 below, there's no vehicles, and nobody to pick you up and the airstrip, makes for a long cold walk! Pay is good though, and we're always looking for good techs!   Goat373 Intermediate Member Username: Goat373 Post Number: 280 Registered: 3-2005 Posted on Sunday, September 03, 2006 - 12:57 pm:        well lets see. I started with sales and service for husqvarna small engines. Moved onto forklift operator with a lumber and salvage yard, 3 years after starting with that darn forklift, I am the shipping and reciveing manager for the same lumber and salvage yard...more paperwork, harder business relationships, but mucho more dinero. oh, somewhere between all that i worked for 3 summers at BSA camp Ho-Nan-Wah (between two rivers) in charlston SC as an area director with the scoutcraft department. and to be perfectly honest. my working carrer started in the feilds. first with watermelons while in middle school. then i got my drivers license in high school so i moved to hay. it would grow, i would cut it,rake it, bail it, move it, deliver it, and do it all over again. i hade 2 100 acre feilds and 1 50 acre feild to do that to several times a summer. i even picked tomatoes there for a little while. so all in all, im a do everything farm boy that has moved up in the world...from the hay feilds to the A/C office.(lol...i also got a cisco systems network associate certification in there somewhere...but i dont use it, if i had to sit infornt of one of these things to bring home the bacon...i would go insane...but i can pretty much get a computer to fold your clothes and make you a pot of coffee.)   Dan_in_wa Junior Member Username: Dan_in_wa Post Number: 25 Registered: 9-2004 Posted on Sunday, September 03, 2006 - 10:10 pm:        Navy (civilian).   Canon5218 Junior Member Username: Canon5218 Post Number: 25 Registered: 8-2006 Posted on Sunday, September 03, 2006 - 11:02 pm:        Associates Degree: Computer Information Systems Associates Degree: Electronics Engineering Technology Been working in the alarm industry for nearly 6 years now and loving every minute of it. I was at one company for my first 5 and a 1/2 years and have now moved to a national company. Started out doing AutoCAD layout and design of various low voltage systems such as fire alarm, burg alarm, access control, nurse call, intercom, paging and even some pro-audio. Then moved into sales assistant then into installation. I have been in field installation for about 2 and a 1/2 years now and love it. The freedom of not having managment over your shoulder is great. Travel the state of West Virginia ALOT but I like the driving part too. The alarm industry to me is practically all I know. I started in the industry when I was 19 and I just turned 26, So it is second nature to me at this point. It is a rather rewarding field at times and is rarley repeatitive. Every system is unique in some way. Nice group of talent I am among here. I feel a little inadequate with my "single field" haha but yall got some years on me too. (sorry had to throw that in there) haha Now yall know a little more why they call me "Youngin" on the radio here local. I was talkin on the radio when I was 12. Realistic Najavo TRC-492 and an A-99. woo hoo   Im4jc Intermediate Member Username: Im4jc Post Number: 174 Registered: 11-2005 Posted on Monday, September 04, 2006 - 1:21 pm:        Started a window cleaning business right out of high school. Did that from '86 to '91. Then went to Colorado AeroTech and got an Airframe and Powerplant Certification. Tried for 2 years to get hired as an Aircraft Mechanic to no avail. It was a poor time for that industry. Tried my hand at car sales, built another window cleaning business, then in '97 I opened up a computer repair shop where I repaired computers, built new computers, and did networking for local businesess. Did that until 2000, then started doing web development. Did the web thing for a couple of years, then started driving a truck OTR. I presently drive a KW W900 pulling a drop deck in 48 states. I love the road, love making more money than I've ever made before, but hate being away from my wife and kids. Funny how one has to make sacrifices just to survive. Finally my family has the things that they need and don't have to worry about when and if they are going to eat or pay bills or whatever, but I'm never home to enjoy seeing my family enjoy life. It's a dichotomy I thought I'd never have to experience. Don't misunderstand me; I am very blessed and thankful to be able to take care of my family. I just wish I could be with my family every day rather than one day a week.   Kpoe_28 Junior Member Username: Kpoe_28 Post Number: 19 Registered: 1-2005 Posted on Monday, September 04, 2006 - 6:08 pm:        Truck Driver, I run up and down I-55 from Memphis TN to St Louis MO (home every night)haul steel out of Nucor in Blytheville AR, I couldn't ask for a better trucking job with the home time that i have.   Vanillagorilla Advanced Member Username: Vanillagorilla Post Number: 816 Registered: 4-2005 Posted on Friday, September 08, 2006 - 3:07 pm:        Grease monkey Lead fleet mechanic for local school dist. Anything rolling... Gas or diesel for the Fleet or grounds equipt....that for the last 11yrs. Prior to that a machinist since high school who started at the bottom and eventually ended up as lead man in the CNC mill dept. Programming CNC lathes on the side. Defense industry crashed on the island when Grumman left...had a new family to feed. Picked up the mech. job thinking turning a hobby into a job would be fun So basically I left a job holding machined tolorances for the government within .001 +/- .00015... to saying....."good enough" for more money?! Oh the shame of it all! Hank CEF559   Bvennink Junior Member Username: Bvennink Post Number: 17 Registered: 3-2005 Posted on Friday, September 08, 2006 - 10:28 pm:        Started out as a farm hand. I am now working as a certified law enforcement/Park Ranger for a county conservation department. We get to do it all! I'm a cop, a welder, a wildland fire fighter, wildlife biologist, forester, electrician, mechanic, carpenter, heavey equipment operator etc. We wear many hats in this job. Jack of all trades master of none.   Mr_rf Intermediate Member Username: Mr_rf Post Number: 288 Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Friday, September 08, 2006 - 11:21 pm:        RF Engineer by trade. Previously managed an EMC lab. Now writing technical manuals (Service, Installation, Users, etc.) for one of the major manufacturers of Industrial/Public Safety two-way communications gear in the USA.   Allagator Advanced Member Username: Allagator Post Number: 743 Registered: 9-2002 Posted on Monday, September 11, 2006 - 6:41 pm:        WOW after 30 mins of reading ! I relized that i have the worst job ever ! I work at a cattle sale barn and trust me the poop gets deep there ! LOL I also help out a guy that keeps 600 to 1000 head of cattle at all times ! before that i worked in the oilfield ! NASTY JOB BUT SOMEONE HAD TO DO IT ! but i did go to school in FL at MID FLORDIA TECH for tranys but the auto pick around here is not good to find a job ! SO COW POKING IS MY JOB FOR NOW ! LOL Allagator CEF 115   Snowfire Intermediate Member Username: Snowfire Post Number: 151 Registered: 2-2004 Posted on Friday, September 15, 2006 - 11:41 am:        Out of high school got Cdl, Worked for county and got experince driving, went to moving drilling rig's(KAL). Then hauled concrete local(Dolese), then went over the road driving(Daryl Thomason), And Kpoe 28 I have hauled quite abit of steel from Nucor myself, now I am a roughneck(Bronco Drilling) Snowfire Cef 294 Oklahoma   Mikefromms Advanced Member Username: Mikefromms Post Number: 930 Registered: 6-2003 Posted on Friday, September 15, 2006 - 4:30 pm:        I've preached for over 20 years. Was full-time for more than two years at one time, but learned very quickly that the public doesn't want you around. Anyway, I still preach part-time and enjoy helping small churches out in the pulpit without "bothering" people by interupting their favorite tv shows and have learned a little word that has greatly improved my stress levels in life--No. I used to couldn't say that. Keep the tomotoes, LOL! My full-time job is with the State as an Advanced Active Treatment Technician or Mental Health Technician. I work with the mentally ill and have a variety of duties; including, but not limited to: 1) Developing treatment plans. 2) Regularly charting on Pts. 3) Assigning Pt. Reps to Pts. 4) Preparing for and directing group sessions. 5) Assisting Pts. in all areas of daily life such as monitoring meals, doing safety rounds, watching movies with Pts. throwing the football, etc. I love my job. I have lots of control over what I do in my job(s). Life is better now than when I was a teenager. Between work and my hobbies, bodybuilding, CB, guitar playing, my life is more than full. Mikefromms   Road_warrior Senior Member Username: Road_warrior Post Number: 1921 Registered: 7-2004 Posted on Friday, September 15, 2006 - 7:22 pm:        One crazy job! Once when i had a 3 week vacation, i was asked by a relative to help him out. Job: Cleaning up buildings that were occupied by Penn State College students. My God! Halls were full of broken beer bottle glass, vomit, paint ball splatters on walls,doors! Outside was full of garbage as they would throw it out there windows into the parking lot. Wild outside parties: They would empty there cupboards. Throw glass dishes, cups, toilet paper at each other. Broken glass, garbage, beer bottles all over grass, and parking lots. Kids at one building would throw this stuff at kids at the other buildings. Man i couldn't wait to go back to my regular job! Worse messes were during Penn State home football games! Oh yeah, forgot to mention the egg fights they had in there hallways!   Revpo Junior Member Username: Revpo Post Number: 37 Registered: 7-2006 Posted on Friday, September 15, 2006 - 8:50 pm:        Well, retired 22 years in military..army,coast guard, air force/tried most of them/, pounded morse key and had fun. retired and became a med technician after going to school in hospitals, and nursing homes 14 years. CB radio since 1959 or 60 to far back to remember. Ham operator for 48 years Now mow lawn and enjoy a rest, walk the dog, pound brass/code/ and talk on chnl 13 revpo   Sniper Junior Member Username: Sniper Post Number: 16 Registered: 5-2006 Posted on Saturday, September 16, 2006 - 1:38 am:        Well here goes, As teen, worked in bakery, store freezer stocker and groceries, built and repaired fences, US.Air Force Medic, Got married 37 years now. Worked as electrician apprentis, then drove auto parts delivery truck, Worked for public works dept did everything as a maintence worker, was a part time police officer Have been a volenteer fire fighter in Texas, worked in security,both private and nuclear in Ca. worked in gas station in Texas ran front pumps and night closer, back to public works in Texas, then on to Ca. and retired from there from public wks dept, after having a stroke in 2003.No wonder I had a stroke, but at least most of the damage was not totally dibilitating, though I don't think I'm fireing on all thrusters....LOLOLOL....   Snapperhead Intermediate Member Username: Snapperhead Post Number: 245 Registered: 2-2002 Posted on Saturday, September 16, 2006 - 10:08 am:        Hey guys, pretty interesting and talented group we have here......I'm been a Union Carpenter going on 20 years now......Don't really do much of the residential (Wood) aspect of carpentry...I work on commercial buildings, highrises and what not......I work with metal studs, drywall, lath, acoustical ceilings.. I'm also certified welder. Went through the apprenticship in the Bay Area and was in Local 144L in San Jose Calif. Pulled my book in 1991 and moved to the silver state. I reside in Northern Nevada and work out of Local Union 971....Worked on most of the big casinos down town, Silver Legacy, Elderado, Harrah's, Atlantis, John Asguaga's Nugget, Peppermill to name a few.....It's back breaking work but the bottom line is I love it.......Don't know what I would do other than the trades...... Pro Union and proud of it......73's all   Kosmic New member Username: Kosmic Post Number: 9 Registered: 7-2006 Posted on Saturday, September 16, 2006 - 4:41 pm:        Alot of talent out there for sure. Air Force for 8 years - Munitions and weapons storage. Truck Driver both over road and local dump truck. Built bridges for 3 years Built trams for airports for 3 years - Last was at Houston International. Worked as a volunter online as a Sysop for over 15 years. Built computers as a hobby for about 12 years. Built drag engines and stock car engines - still do from times to time. Basically try to keep mind busy and not slow down till I am able to retire LOL.   Ck29 Junior Member Username: Ck29 Post Number: 30 Registered: 3-2006 Posted on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - 11:21 am:        Let me jump in and tell you what I do, Lead electronics tech for city bus facility my duties inclued besides crying about the heavy work load is maintance and repair on radio and data communications between dispatch and vehicles also fare box revenue collection repair, destination sign programming and repair, maintance on interior cameras, interior lighting, pa systems, and the list goes on anything electrical inside the bus. We have a fleet of 192+ vehicles that I and my helper maintain. I get a stack of work orders every day and its quite overwhelming. I have tried to quit 4 times this year but they keep giving me more money to stay and just put up with it. I guess they can,t find anyone else to go thru this torture, if it was not for the healthy pay check and the 5 mg of valium I think I would have quit by now. Don,t want this to be a depressing post but this is what I do for a living. 73s all....   Junior379 New member Username: Junior379 Post Number: 4 Registered: 9-2006 Posted on Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - 8:29 pm:        Truck Driving is my game, Run 3 state area around Mpls/St. Paul MN. Been local now for 6 Years, OTR for previous 15 years. Pull end dump trailers with my. '07 purple Pete, yes Purple...No barney jokes , Heard'em all   Cadilac Intermediate Member Username: Cadilac Post Number: 175 Registered: 1-2006 Posted on Thursday, September 21, 2006 - 9:04 pm:        Good evening everyone. it's great to be back. I've just been doing a little this and that. Let's see, what do I do? I do customer service for the state of VA, and I've been at it for five years and it will be six in December. While I love it over all, it gets kinda busy. It's a lot of work but I'm one of the few people that can say I love it. that's what puts money in my pocket so I can get on this thing instead of a radio. Long live Open Forum. If I don't catch any of you before tomorrow, have a good weekend. CADILAC   Sparkomatic Intermediate Member Username: Sparkomatic Post Number: 412 Registered: 10-2002 Posted on Friday, September 22, 2006 - 4:48 pm:        Retired USAF I was stationed at Patrick AFB in Fla. I was part of a team that repaired/replaced/maintained all the A/C and refrigeration units on base. Demanding job but not as demanding as the guys who worked in harms way. I have worked for the local School Board for 2 years now im the same field. The teachers don't get paid enough to deal with some of trash before them. I want to put in 8 more years then retire for good.   404 Member Username: 404 Post Number: 50 Registered: 5-2004 Posted on Friday, September 22, 2006 - 9:33 pm:        Started out of high school as a truck driver.I am now a wildland firefighter and also a volunteer fireman for 10 years.   Bob_gipson New member Username: Bob_gipson Post Number: 2 Registered: 8-2006 Posted on Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 6:37 pm:        I work at the Ford motor company steering gear plant in Indianapolis. Good job, great pay great benefits.   Truckerdon Member Username: Truckerdon Post Number: 74 Registered: 5-2004 Posted on Saturday, October 14, 2006 - 9:25 pm:        All I've done was drive, with a stint as Letter Carrier for the Canadian Post Office. I hate walking so I can sit on my butt for hours and not even get tired. I've driven every kind of Transit Bus, Highway Coach to Handi Van for the disabled. I've worked for the Pumpkin Truck Company, Yanke Transfer to Landstar Ranger. Being Self employed has it's advantages but it sure is a bummer when bills have to be paid and no money to pay. I also bring tires to Ford Co.in HApeville,NC and Misshibusi in Bloomington Illinois. Computers from Mexicali, California to Ontario. This trip I have Subway store products on baord going to St John, New Brunswick Canada. Most of the stuff you see in Subway stores were made in Sedallia, Missouri. Take care Drive Safe Don CEF 336 Truck Don   Knight_watch New member Username: Knight_watch Post Number: 3 Registered: 10-2006 Posted on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 - 1:26 pm:        WOW! what a list! Me well, Farm hand (family farm), UTI graduate (automotive, big truck, automitac trans, transport refergreation) worked at gas station, security at a factory, security at assisted living facility, Built proprane delivery trucks, and now I am and have been for almost 9 years, A Security Officer in a hospital I also was a volenteer firefighter / EMT for 9years and 8mo. but I was not counting! lol   Linx Junior Member Username: Linx Post Number: 26 Registered: 9-2006 Posted on Tuesday, October 17, 2006 - 5:32 pm:        Might as well put in my .02 cents. I am a partial owner of an insulation company in White House, Tennessee. My father started the business and my parents along with me and my brother own the company. We currently have about 35 employees, 14 1-ton box trucks, 4 2-ton box trucks, and a fleet of pickups and trailers. My main responcibilties are managing the warehouse, all of the ordering, fixing customer complaints, repairing jobs, and running all over Middle Tennessee daily. My day starts out at about 5:30AM. I schedule out the jobs in conjunction with some of the supervisors, load out the employees from our warehouse, and then the rest of the day take care of odd and ends. It's a pretty cool gig, but time consuming. I only spend about 3 hours a night M-F with my family but get all weekends. The good part about running the show is I make my own hours (althought I put in more than anyone else...about 70 hours a week) but I have no one breathing down my neck all day, I get a company truck with unlimited fuel, and ANYTHING I can find to be work related (my truck's cb gear for example ::cough cough: I can write of as company use. I've been into mobile cb rigs for years, but am now just getting into home use and practicing for the technician test.   Sonny Intermediate Member Username: Sonny Post Number: 110 Registered: 5-2004 Posted on Thursday, October 19, 2006 - 8:50 pm:        When I was in high school I worked at a department store called Almarts, in 1966 to 1968 also helped my uncle on his 100 acre angus farm.1968 went into the USAF two tours in Alaska in the 5072 TAC Made Liquid Oxygen for the flight line King Salmon Alaska and Glena Alaska. After a 4year tour came home to Pa. worked at Crysler in Newark De. for 4 years, then went into Cryogenics for Airco Ind. Gases, as a plant operator making Liquid Nitrogen,Oxygen, Liquid Argon. Now I'm a Cryogenic Tech. over seeing and operating small plants on customers sites. The companies name had changed to BOC Gases about 15 years ago and now it was bought out just this year by Linde of germay and is the largest company in this buisness. I have 31 years in as of this past May   Epson14 Junior Member Username: Epson14 Post Number: 11 Registered: 3-2006 Posted on Friday, October 20, 2006 - 11:34 pm:        Im a barber .   Wickednycowboy Junior Member Username: Wickednycowboy Post Number: 10 Registered: 10-2006 Posted on Tuesday, December 05, 2006 - 6:53 pm:        Truck Driver just starting out. Decided it's best to stay local if at all possible.   Ranger87black Junior Member Username: Ranger87black Post Number: 15 Registered: 12-2005 Posted on Tuesday, December 05, 2006 - 7:55 pm:        I work for the Maine Dept. of Transportation. My job is a truck driver in the summer and a spare plow driver in the winter. We put plenty of overtime in the winter to keep the roads clear. The pay is OK but can't beat the benifits. Not too many jobs in Northern Maine.   Uillean New member Username: Uillean Post Number: 5 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Thursday, December 07, 2006 - 2:48 pm:        RF Engineer in the Wireless industry. I get to mess with antennas, feedlines, etc., for a living. Telecom is a lot more stressful in recent years than it was 25 years ago.   Lonestarbandit Member Username: Lonestarbandit Post Number: 50 Registered: 10-2006 Posted on Friday, December 08, 2006 - 10:33 am:        well im an ex truck driver, medical dishcharge from us army (yeah they pay me lol) now days i am military aircraft electrician (yes im a civilian) on billion dollar warfighting equipment. sorry i cant be more specific but all you ex mil know the deal. clearances, clearances, clearances. lol.   Iron_head New member Username: Iron_head Post Number: 1 Registered: 6-2005 Posted on Sunday, December 10, 2006 - 5:14 pm:        Truck Driver since 1986, Drove over the road for 6 months got home twice, decided to drive local for a Foodservice distributor in SC. Been with them since 1987   Ke5hde New member Username: Ke5hde Post Number: 2 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Thursday, December 14, 2006 - 7:34 pm:        i'm a saw filer. at our shop we sharpen saws for multiple lumber mills in the northeast and then some. these can get fairly big: 40' 15 gauge bands 240 2" teeth on both sides and also 6' dia. circles. big heavy and kinda dangerous   Ajm1571 Intermediate Member Username: Ajm1571 Post Number: 374 Registered: 12-2004 Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006 - 1:29 am:        Before becoming disabled, did landscaping an irrigation for 15 yrs, welder, cashier, auto mechanic, worked on the shrimp boats, and slave of a factory. Not all in that order...lol   Spydrman Member Username: Spydrman Post Number: 79 Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Sunday, December 17, 2006 - 3:07 pm:        Truck driver for FedEx Freight East. I've been with them for 8 yrs now, and love it. I drive from Snow Shoe, PA to Sandusky, OH and back to put in what some drivers would call an "easy" day. Well to some I guess, to me, always an adventure across I80. Wouldn't know what to do without my cb, it's like forgetting my watch if I don't have one....Hope everyone has a great and safe Holliday!!   Bluesman Junior Member Username: Bluesman Post Number: 47 Registered: 2-2002 Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 11:32 am:        I currently play bass guitar and sing backing vocals for a theater in St. Marys, Oh. Fridays and Saturdays. Mostly country and some pop. I live in southern Ky. The rest of the band are all Nashville players. They stop by my hometown and pick me up on Friday morning and we're back early Sunday morning. A pretty cushy gig actually.   Wolverine Advanced Member Username: Wolverine Post Number: 650 Registered: 2-2003 Posted on Thursday, December 21, 2006 - 2:59 am:        I work for a major transportation company (Municipal Railway) in the City and County of San Francisco. I work in one of the nine divisions in the agency, each division housing an average of 168-210 buses . My official title or designation, is Fleet Appearance Supervisor, and my job is to make sure that all of the coaches (buses) are clean inside and out, so that the operators (bus drivers), and general public (ridership) as well tourists, can enjoy the experience of riding public transportation, on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. I supervise a crew of 15 at my division, to make this happen. Wolverine.   Sarge Junior Member Username: Sarge Post Number: 36 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 6:26 pm:        Out of high school worked for a company doing electro-mechanical design & fabrication. (Basically, we designed & built or built from customer plans equipment or sub-assemblies that the customer did not want to tackle themselves. They out-sourced it to us, and we gave them back the finished sub-assembly ready for installation on whatever they were building on their main assembly line. Saved them time and space on their factory floor.) Enlisted in the Air Force and spent the next 24.5 years traveling the world. Career field was Radio Relay (30470), which was later renamed "Wideband" and combined with Satellite Communications (SATCOM/Wideband, 2E171). Spent time in Biloxi MS, Germany, England, Spain, Belgium, Egypt, Montana, and North Dakota. Retired from active duty as a Master Sergeant in October 2005. Got hired on by a company with a contract to manage all the 2-way radios used at an Air Force base. Actually got my "old" job back, as I was the Land Mobile Radio manager at the same base back in the early 90's when I was Technical Sergeant in the Communications Squadron. Job position was "out-sourced" to a private contractor back in 2000. Now I am once again a LMR manager facing the same operation & maintenance issues as before, but without all the saluting and morning PT. I continue to pass on my knowledge to the younger NCO's so they can continue to keep one step ahead of the officers.   Penrider New member Username: Penrider Post Number: 5 Registered: 1-2007 Posted on Wednesday, January 24, 2007 - 9:58 pm:        Army right out of high school(5 yrs--ammunition specialist) school trained journeyman pipefitter(5yrs-ish) now a carpenter cuz it's at home with the kids was raised on a horse ranch and still run a few head here at home   Gold_rush New member Username: Gold_rush Post Number: 1 Registered: 1-2007 Posted on Monday, January 29, 2007 - 4:44 pm:        I have had alot of jobs mainly construction type work, but just wasn't doing it for me so I went to trucking school and got my cdl. Been driving for 2yrs now. The first year was a regional job that kept me out all week, but now I'm local and loving it. I go to the same places every week and 3 out of 4 are drop and hook the other one I unload myself. This is the job that got me into cb radios.   Road_warrior134 Junior Member Username: Road_warrior134 Post Number: 13 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Wednesday, February 07, 2007 - 3:43 pm:        Left school at 16 and worked as tractor driver on large farm for 2 yrs then started driving small trucks , after 3 yrs of that started driving large trucks , gave that up after a few years and got a job driving taxis then one day one of my regular customers offered me a job as a comms engineer fitting and servicing base and mobile radio systems but after about 3yrs I was diagnosed with an illness affecting my spine and joints SO !!! I am now at the mercy of the dragon !!! JIM Road Warrior134 / MM0TXO CEF#858 HAM#230 CVC#116   Carolinagold Member Username: Carolinagold Post Number: 62 Registered: 12-2002 Posted on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 - 11:00 pm:        started out as a material handler making cooling units for nuclear subs-then i was a ride along lumper for my dad for 4 years-then went on to construction-then i made drip pans and r and p traps for water lines-then made hydraulic pumps for any type of machine you can think of-then worked in furniture and in north carolina that is a big joke any more-then went on to injection molding and that got old after awhile-then done plumbing for awhile and now im a lawnmower mechanic and man is this job the most boring yet but it pays good for doing nothing at all LOL :-)   Starbaseone2 New member Username: Starbaseone2 Post Number: 3 Registered: 11-2006 Posted on Monday, February 19, 2007 - 4:50 am:        Wow what a topic this has indeed turned into! Me? Where to start? I got into basic electronics in high school. Married my high school sweetheart right after my 18th birthday (We're still happily raising our kids). I looked to the military for some stability. But after the wife had suffered one tour married to Uncle Sam's Mechanized Infantry she talked me out of a re-enlistment. Little did she realize that she was trading a husband soldier (always gone) for a husband OTR truck driver (never home either)LOL. But it was steady money for the family that came along after the military. But I never gave up on electronics. It stayed on as my favorite hobby, whenever time would permit an OTR driver. Then one day Westbound on I-10 near Ft Stockton, Texas it hit me. I had been driving OTR for 10 years! I was old enough that if I was ever gonna do anything with my desire for electronics that I had better see to it, or forget it. The wife is a real trooper. She took a job, (2 now, & before it was over) and I came off the road. I found a small company that at first trained me to put in digital satellites and do small repair work on their bench in support of an old technician. Between Ole John, and the targeted education I got in over the next almost 2 years preceding my OTR job. I thought I was starting to do fair at the bench. Which was what I had been aspiring to accomplish all along. Then John had an unexpected heart attack. He never made it back to enough health to come back to work. I inherited the complete bench. The first year with out John was really challenging to me. I kept at the education (& still do much more informally now). Seemed like about the time it started really flowing for me. The owner's wife fell ill, and with in a few months the company shut down, and he soon sold equipment & the building off. Major Medical Bills is a hardship me and my family have never had to deal with. Thank you Lord! So what if I could work on consumer electronics... I needed steady employment and quickly. I started to consider going back OTR. My wife wouldn't hear of it! (Bless her!) She took a second job (again), and I started a Consumer Electronic Repair Shop of my own. Under-funded and still struggling we are just now into it's second year. I simply couldn't be happier! Win, Lose or Draw, it is my "American Dream". Like I have been telling my kids all their life, "If it's easy to get, well, it can't be worth much!" So we're set for a long struggle. Although, I now wish some of my targeted education had touched into Business Management... StarBaseONE2 ...Unknown location... ...But it's gotta be somewhere out on the very fringes of the Cosmic Coast....   Kid_vicious Senior Member Username: Kid_vicious Post Number: 2404 Registered: 9-2004 Posted on Monday, February 19, 2007 - 7:01 pm:        thanks for keeping up with the posts guys! kinda nice to be able to introduce yourself to the group. who knows starbase1, maybe you can carolinagold can go into business together and expand the repair business. LOL i understand the hardship of repairing electronics these days. most are disposable! i imagine that the bulk of your work comes from commercial accounts, like taxi and limo companies, the police and fire depts. businesses are the only ones buying good enough equip. to warrant repairing! best of luck to you all, matt   Dale Advanced Member Username: Dale Post Number: 644 Registered: 12-2002 Posted on Monday, February 19, 2007 - 8:39 pm:        ive done alot of different jobs after high school grocery stores,pizzashop,resturants amusementpark,cleaning co.,the past 13yrs ive been doing factory work.not the best of job but it pays the bills and sometimes have some for my toys   Papajohn New member Username: Papajohn Post Number: 5 Registered: 1-2007 Posted on Saturday, February 24, 2007 - 10:53 pm:        Communication Repairman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.   Karatebutcher Senior Member Username: Karatebutcher Post Number: 2121 Registered: 7-2002 Posted on Thursday, March 01, 2007 - 8:46 pm:        I opened my own practice, I am a Brain Sergon for x-Marines, I WENT BROKE HI LON   Polecat New member Username: Polecat Post Number: 4 Registered: 2-2007 Posted on Wednesday, March 07, 2007 - 6:45 am:        I'm a retired carpenter, who over the years ended up in Constructiom management, took time out to build and repair a few boats (till i went broke Just do a bit of sailing and playing with my Land Rover 4X4 now.............and the radios, oh the radios.... been a CB'er since 1964 but not constantly, never ever owned any fancy stuff. I did have a President Washington and a decent beam...I was a CJ guy once 27.525 AM, can't remember my number.... I guess i'm loosing "it" 73's   Bullseye Intermediate Member Username: Bullseye Post Number: 312 Registered: 1-2002 Posted on Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 3:58 pm:        Well Iguess it's my turn. I work for the county I live in doing parks maintenace(mowing weed eating etc...)and currently I am in charge of the "Inmate Work Release Crew" from our local county correctional institute which basically means I run a daycare for 18 to 60 year olds who can't tend to their own P's and Q's. Bullseye/CEF#110/Mem. Since 1/18/2002   Splbass17 Member Username: Splbass17 Post Number: 67 Registered: 9-2005 Posted on Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 8:59 pm:        I did 3 years in the Active Duty Army after highschool. Airborne Baby !! I'm a full time student now majoring in Criminal Justice and Law. I'm a few classes short of my Bachelors degree and going to be pursuing my Masters degree in Criminal Justice. So far I've kept a 3.8 GPA so I'm doing pretty well compared to the party days in High School haha. I'm either going to become an Officer in the Air Force or work law enforcement on a Federal or State level until I get my Masters degree so I can teach Law at a University.   Triplecguy Intermediate Member Username: Triplecguy Post Number: 211 Registered: 12-2001 Posted on Thursday, April 26, 2007 - 10:13 am:        Well, seeing that I just recently changed jobs again, I guess I should post it. I recently aquired my Colorado state electrical license and then promptly quit to become a professional radio and communications technician. That's right, I now get paid to work on 2 way radios, repeaters a regional paging system, some internet stuff and everything else in between. The company I am working for is playing a large part in the new DTR 800 mhz Motorola system that is going to be statewide. This stuff is top notch and super high tech. It is a radio nerds dream come true. And for those of you who don't know me, my love of all things radio really started here on the Forum back in about 2001 when I was on grave yard shift. DAN   Livinginh New member Username: Livinginh Post Number: 3 Registered: 4-2007 Posted on Friday, April 27, 2007 - 10:12 pm:        I've been a bit of everything, but seems I keep going back to truck driving.   Brain_damage Junior Member Username: Brain_damage Post Number: 48 Registered: 4-2005 Posted on Sunday, April 29, 2007 - 11:56 pm:        i setup computerized drilling machines for the Craftsman tools. set it up and it runs by itself and and i get all the extra screwdrivers i want for free. 3 years ago they had old stock that came back and told employees they can have them,they made 1 mistake by telling me because i bought home close to 15 thousand of them in various sizes regular and phillips and torx sold most of them at a flea market for a $1.00 a piece and sold 2664 of them in 6 hrs while i was there some i gave away as gifts when friends would come over but kept about 3500 pcs for my self   Fordpsd Junior Member Username: Fordpsd Post Number: 17 Registered: 11-2006 Posted on Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 11:14 pm:        32 years Air Traffic Controller and about to retire. 6 years USAF and 26 years FAA. "T-bone" CH 34 Atlantic City   Outkast Intermediate Member Username: Outkast Post Number: 112 Registered: 9-2005 Posted on Friday, May 04, 2007 - 2:10 am:        I own my own Auto Salvage/Towing company out here in Minnesota, been doing it for about a year now and dont think I will ever be able to go back to work for "The Man." But I love it the work is good and if I really feel lazy I can just sit home and send someone else out LOL.   Sk1 Junior Member Username: Sk1 Post Number: 24 Registered: 1-2002 Posted on Friday, May 04, 2007 - 2:55 pm:        Hi all I work as an aide at Linn State Technical College In Auto Collision Dept. We're out for the summer as of today(May 4th)   Sk1 Junior Member Username: Sk1 Post Number: 25 Registered: 1-2002 Posted on Friday, May 04, 2007 - 11:17 pm:        I forgot to say we are in Central Missouri   Newoperator Junior Member Username: Newoperator Post Number: 12 Registered: 5-2007 Posted on Sunday, May 13, 2007 - 7:39 pm:        Im a producer of electronic music mainly breaks and trance.I have been producing since i was 16 and i dj'd often i have 3 albums out currently and tour often and when im not touring im here in my studio producing or on the radio dxing ;)Its funny becuase my lifestyle doesnt fit my hobby on the radio.But i just love talking and the challenge that dxing offers.Trying to make sure your equipment is right making variouse contacts around the world its so exciting.Anyone can pick up a phone or radio with a nextel.   Red_bear New member Username: Red_bear Post Number: 3 Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Sunday, July 22, 2007 - 3:20 pm:        Retired Law Enforcement; Red (Hair) Bear (Cop), Liked Bear better than "Pig." I joined the Marines while I was in High School then went to Boot at P.I.S.C. Re-uped in USAF and did 'Nam 4/67-4/68 at Da Nang Air Base. Fixed Radios, Go figure. Started CB'n and Ham'n about 1960 so they capitalized on my hobby. Santa Clara County, California, Deputy Sheriff. Fought in the Campus Wars at Stanford, San Francisco State etc, "Anti-Establishment Wars." Chief of Police in Etna CA, Retired from teaching at Crimnal Justice Academy, Delta Colorado. Now I CB and Ham and refurbish Classic CBs. AA Criminology, 6th Black Belt Meng Po (Kenpo)Kung Fu Instructor. Doug, n0lay / kdz0430 CF#927 Ham#257   1pigpen New member Username: 1pigpen Post Number: 1 Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Monday, July 30, 2007 - 10:11 pm:        I am the "newbie" here..... I am a Professional Steering Wheel Holder. I pilot a 10 gear, 13 letter spreader(International). Someday I hope to be called a truck driver, but in the meantime.......   Jaysonindaytona New member Username: Jaysonindaytona Post Number: 3 Registered: 7-2007 Posted on Thursday, August 02, 2007 - 5:25 pm:        I work for Publix...I bag food for people...Its a job..   Ironmike New member Username: Ironmike Post Number: 4 Registered: 6-2007 Posted on Saturday, August 04, 2007 - 12:19 am:        Telephone cable repair... and I work on aviation equipment in the Guard.   Timeslice Junior Member Username: Timeslice Post Number: 23 Registered: 7-2005 Posted on Saturday, August 11, 2007 - 11:09 am:        Hi, I left school at the age of 16. I went to college, studied Electronics and then went on to do an Electronics Degree at University. After qualification I worked for Philips Electronics as a trainee Electronics Engineer. I completed a 6-year apprenticeship and left Philips to work for JVC (UK Ltd) as an Electronics Engineer. I repaired Digital Camcorders, Videos, DVDs, TVs, Hi-Fi, In-car, etc, down to surface mount component SMT level. I left JVC (Victor company of Japan) to work for SIEMENS Traffic Control Systems, contracted soley to the Metropolitan Police and Hertfordshire Constabulary. My Job was to Fully maintain the Police Headquarters CCTV, Communications-Voice & Data and COBS Computer Sstems. After several years with the cops (who were great to work for) I worked for an American business called TYCO ADT Fire and Security. Here I had many customers, HM Prisons, Tesco, TK MAXX, Nationwide Bank, BT - British Telecom, various County Councils (Luton - Havering), Petrol Station, Buncefield Oil Storage, Hemel Hempstead, various Hotels (Hilton - Ritz). Leaving TYCO I worked for VODAFONE UK (VuDuFone) and currently run my own Business. Cheers, Alex.   Canon New member Username: Canon Post Number: 3 Registered: 9-2007 Posted on Sunday, September 30, 2007 - 12:31 pm:        I might as well keep this thread a rollin. I joined the Navy after H.S. 1n 79. Sailed aboard the USS LaSalle in Persian Gulf, as well as stationed at NAS Atlanta refueling helos & jet aircraft. Got out of service in 84. Worked a few jobs not worth stating. I do have some good tales while driving a taxi in Atlanta Ga:D Moved back to N.C.For the last 19 1/2 years been a truck driver for a bulk lubricants distributer. My other expensive hobby is traditional photography(non digital). 73's to ya all Canon, CEF-944   Funtimebob Intermediate Member Username: Funtimebob Post Number: 236 Registered: 5-2002 Posted on Sunday, September 30, 2007 - 11:00 pm:        I'm temporarily (hopefully) medically retired. My new diggs www.crestview-manor.com 73's Kd8dey   Themagikphrog New member Username: Themagikphrog Post Number: 1 Registered: 10-2007 Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 6:06 pm:        I am a Newspaper carrier for the Milwuakee Journal Sentinel delivering 7 days a week at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells. The Resort has 1161 doors spanning 3 main buildings and 151 outside building.   Captian_radio Intermediate Member Username: Captian_radio Post Number: 252 Registered: 9-2004 Posted on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 6:46 pm:        After a stint in the appliance repair business I am now doing high speed internet tech support for a large US company.Its a tough job trying to help people out with connection problems, understandably people get upset when things go wrong so I try my best to resolve the issue on the first call this doesn't always happen but I give it my best shot.when I have a problem with my connection etc.I get upset also ,so I can understand what the customer is going through Bob CEF451/VE1CZ Robert L. Spicer The days of radio are just beginning!   707 Intermediate Member Username: 707 Post Number: 106 Registered: 5-2002 Posted on Friday, November 16, 2007 - 10:01 am:        I play with technology for a living. My present job description is "systems engineer", for a large media corporation, dealing with digital multimedia delivery, environmental control automation, satellite communications and drinking coffee. Previously, I pulled 15 years in the radio broadcast industry, doing engineering and radio programming.   Wesal77 Member Username: Wesal77 Post Number: 53 Registered: 8-2007 Posted on Friday, November 23, 2007 - 8:38 pm:        Volunteer Firefighter & love every minute of it helping PPL lives that i dont even no.   Buckeye168 New member Username: Buckeye168 Post Number: 3 Registered: 1-2008 Posted on Friday, January 04, 2008 - 8:37 pm:        Well I started out farming for my father which I did for 15 years. Then I got married and needed a "real job" so I became a EMT for a local ambulance company I worked for about a year. Then I decided it is not for me, and I went to truck driving school and been driving trucks for the last 11 years. I now drive a 6 axle dump truck which I love, I will probably retire from this company they really know how to take care of the drivers.   Tumbleweed Junior Member Username: Tumbleweed Post Number: 26 Registered: 10-2004 Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 7:36 am:        US ARMY (Civilian) My job is truck driver (Motor Vehicle Operator in the Fed Gov't) but what I do is unload ammunition and explosives from commercial trucks and put them in ammo bunkers (igloos). I work at Tooele Army Depot in Utah. On other message boards I claim that I am a 'Forensic Proctologist'.   Lester_elm Junior Member Username: Lester_elm Post Number: 13 Registered: 12-2007 Posted on Tuesday, January 08, 2008 - 9:50 am:        Currently working as a Component Technician for Goodrich Aerospace - Wheel and Brake Division. Simply means I'm a wheel jockey CEF #964 HAM #276 Ham Radio - Talk worldwide on a tin can and a wet noodle   Nightsrevenge New member Username: Nightsrevenge Post Number: 1 Registered: 12-2007 Posted on Wednesday, January 09, 2008 - 7:50 am:        Currently I am a Facilities Mgr for AMF Bowling,I maintain the bowling machines and the building itself,past jobs include,Journeyman Bookbinder,USMC,Painter,VP of a Private Payphone Co.,Dept.Mgr of a Hardware Store,Cable Installer/Trouble shooter,Security,Sales,Vendor,Sprinkler system installer,Master of all trades...lol   Purplehaze Member Username: Purplehaze Post Number: 72 Registered: 4-2004 Posted on Friday, January 11, 2008 - 7:55 pm:        truck driver since 90.. talk to my friends brother on the radio most of the day, i love my job to say the least. purp   Hawkeye Junior Member Username: Hawkeye Post Number: 41 Registered: 5-2006 Posted on Saturday, March 08, 2008 - 5:34 pm:        Industrel consturtion mainly here in ky we build the big factorys hospitals schools ect been at it for 20 some odd years.   Prospector New member Username: Prospector Post Number: 1 Registered: 3-2008 Posted on Saturday, March 08, 2008 - 6:50 pm:        I am a miner in northern Nevada. In one of the largest open pit copper mines in the world. We produce about 12,000lbs of raw copper per day; as well as gold, silver, moly, and whatever they assay in the ore. I mostly run one of the largest Haul trucks in the world, the Caterpillar 793C. It has a payload of 255 tons and a GVW of 846,000 pounds; it is 27' tall X 22' wide and 48' long -- with tires that are almost 12' tall. I also operate some "smaller" haul trucks -- 185 ton payload -- water trucks, and once in a while I run Caterpillar motor graders. It is kind of a cool place to work, but the schedule will get to you. However, it has a bonus. You work 13 hour days (rotating to nights every other week) and you only work 2 weeks a month, which ends with 7 1/2 days off in a row every 28 days. The part of the month that gets to you is what is called "hell week" it is where you work 3 days, you are off for 1 day and then go back and work 3 nights. If it was not for this wacky rotation, we would not get 7 days off in a row. I only work 168 days a year, make 60k+, and have 12 weeks of vacation (plus 2 weeks of payed vacation). It is a pain in the butt to work all those hours all at once, but the time that I get to spend with my family and operate radio is a blessing. When I heard about this job I gave up 13 years experience as a mechanic. After working long hours 6 days a week and hardly anytime off, it was taking it's toll on me and my family. Now, I have half the stress, work half as much, make about the same money but with far better benefits. A win, win in anybodys book. The other problem is actually living up here. I am in one of the most isolated areas of the lower 48 states. I am 260 miles from Las Vegas and about the same from Salt Lake City, UT and there is not much in between. Sure, there are some little towns along the way, but they don't have much -- and if you go or come back from Salt Lake City the back way there is nothing open past 10PM so you better have full tank, since 280 miles is a long way to go with nothing at all. Prospector/226/KC8NTP   Sgt_rat Junior Member Username: Sgt_rat Post Number: 47 Registered: 9-2005 Posted on Friday, April 18, 2008 - 8:22 pm:        Just back from Iraq. Active Army since 1988. July 11 I become a civilian again after 20yrs service. Loved every day of it!!   Bulldogunit777maine New member Username: Bulldogunit777maine Post Number: 7 Registered: 4-2008 Posted on Thursday, May 08, 2008 - 8:01 pm:        In the late 80's I was in the USAF as a Reprographics Specialist. Involved in the printing of lots of booklets, forms, and orders. Also became a member of the Base Honor Guard and war time job was Rapid Runway Repair. I love printing and bindery work. When I got out worked for several printing companies. Settled down with a large sheetfed print shop right here in Augusta. I travel about 70 miles round trip to work. My duties are team leader of the Folder Operators and Folder Operator. Machines I operate are MBO & Stahl. Fold just about anything! From signatures, maps, newsletters, to inserts, booklets, and brochures. The printing industry is forever changing with the times. It is challenging to deal with recycle paper, coated sheets, and AQ. Our shop has a great recycle program. We purchase wind power energy. Bulldog Unit 777 Central Maine "Make Everyday Your Best Day"

Add Your Message Here Post: Username: Posting Information: This is a private posting area. Only registered users and moderators may post messages here. Password: Options: Enable HTML code in message Automatically activate URLs in message Action: