You still going to be able to drive when you're 85?

An east coaster. Well, come on up, I'll put you to work.......how is it that folks that aren't even here in this boomtown "really" know exactly how it is?

I spose you could just ask them, and they would tell you?

Try being an established professional at the gas pumps, and watching 7 or more other rigs filling up. (setting the scene): the sweet smell of 120 bucks wafting to your nostrills, you look over at the rig next to you, bottles laying on the bed floor floating free with regulators smashed beyond function from the bottles rolling over them, sa200 loose in the pickup bed that's about 2 feet from the bed smashing the oxygen bottles, tools scattered throughout, (allright this is gonna be a run on sentence), no rear bumper, (sometimes), no front bumper, a sticker in the back window of "calvin peeing" on the rival truck manufacturer, and a bumper sticker that says: I BRAKE FOR BOOBIES on the tool box............

This is my competition, and YOU on the east coast think I am a zealous crybaby.

Thing is, the scenario I have above described is accurate..........no weekend welders here. These are people who actually think that they are welder/mechanic/plumber/electrician/truck driver/doctor. They can do it all, but not very good. Not to code, not to specs, and definately not ethically, ) that is, however, the nature of BUSINESS in the USA.

I forgot, on the east coast you guys hate everybody........................

Hey "smooth operator???"

First of all, let me be the first to "WELDCOME" you to the AWS BBS Grand Central Forum!!! ;) :) :) Now that I've got that out of the way, here's my wooden nickle's worth regarding the conduct or lack of - coming from some of you newcomers into this forum... {Now do you know what I mean by stereo typing?}

Well, I'm also from South Western PA (originally from NYC), and I consider Sourdough a friend!!! Anyone - no matter where where they're from but, especially from "STEELERS COUNTRY" should know better than to be so arrogant as your self "smooth operator!!!" I wanted to remain neutral in this thread mainly because I have confidence in Sully handling himself in the face of adversity...  However, when you start to berate someone here that I know while at the same time act as if you're representing the folks from South western PA, then I have to intercede!!! When you start "Stereotyping" people in here especially if you just started to post in here looking to make a name for yourself, and acting as if your sh*t don't stink, that is when I decide to get involved!!!

One question for you "smooth operator???" if that's what you want to call yourself... Have you ever been to Rifle, Colorado???
Do you know what the cost of living is out there, Do you know the outdoor working conditions there??? As an Iron worker, do you know your way around a compressor station like Sully (Sourdough) does??? I didn't think so!!! I could go on and on but, I don't want to come off as the judge jury and executioner all at once or maybe I do but, I also want to show you a wee bit of mercy so you can understand the value of respecting your fellow man despite of their supposed shortcomings in which you seem to be so eager to pounce on without having any specific or detailed knowledge of their circumstances... Anywho, The point I'm making to you is that YOU DO NOT REPRESENT the sentiments of most of the folks here in South Western PA who are welders or contractors!!! So, if you want to express your opinion towards someone about something or another, that's definitely permissable but, when you start inferring that most of the folks from SW PA think the same way you do then you are very mistaken, and are totally misrepresenting the fine folks here in our "neck of the woods."

Now I don't always agree with Sourdough ,and there are certain things that you mentioned in which I agree with you in your post but, to berate and insult someone because he or she is only expressing their own opinion on the topic at hand is inexcusable in my book because, there will never be even an hour that will go by in which everyone who participates in this great forum of ours or in this great country of ours for that matter - in which everyone will agree with one another!!! One has to understand that it is the very unique quality of being able to agree that we do not always agree with each other, and that it's okay to disagree so long as we do not become hostile towards each other - is the very reason why this, and any other great forum has such a vast following, and earns so much respect because of that quality!!! I have been guilty in the past of not showing the necessary respect towards other folks here in the past, and have since reconciled with many for doing so which is why I try to remind new comers that in this forum we command mutual respect towards each other as we also make fun of ourselves from time to time.

We all need to project a more respectful attitude towards each other in here or else we'll have to deal with the actions coming from the moderators who WILL NOT HESITATE for a moment to make sure that everybody understands that this lack of mutual respect towards each other will NOT be tolerated!!! They're really great folks however, and they will give you just enough rope to hang yourself with :) :)  ;)

So, without further boring you with this lesson in etiquette... Please permit me to ask you a question... Do you attend any of the AWS section meetings in your area and which Iron Workers local do you work with???

Respectfully
Henry

P.S. Go Penguins!!!

     My Dad was a top notch carpenter, He worked for a small local contractor who builds custom homes and an ocasional small comercial building. Dad was the senior lead man for decades, and worked for low wages [$18/hr in '04], hospitilazation for Him & Mom 5 holidays/year and no pension. He was never layed off in the 58 years He worked for the company.

     Dad always had a moonlight job or 2 going on, even at age 76 when He died, that He worked in the evenings and weekends. He charged even less than He got from the company for top quality work, and He was quite productive, no goofing off, ********ting, or wasted motion. He worked for some multi milloinares, charged them the same as everybody else. He didn't charge any travel time, but He didn't take moonlight jobs more than 10 miles from home generally.

     My parents lived simply, didn't waste money, in fact spent little. Mom worked in a retail store part time while I was in highschool and full time later on untill age 65. They were able to save money and acumulate enough for Mom to live on in He old age.

     There might have been people who felt Dad was keeping wages down by working cheap, but I never heard from them. His customers  were happy to have His services at a price they could afford. My Dad didn't value His time greatly, and was sort of out of touch with what His work was really worth. He complained about what things cost, but didn't think it was right to charge more than He did.

      I once told Him He would have made a good comunist. He just gave Me a puzzled look. I said: You work hard and don't expect to get a lot of money for it. If the USSR was full of people like You comunism would have worked an they would be the most powerfull nation by a long shot."

      It takes more than a few people working cheap to drive wages down in a region. Construction ompanies will hire all the cheap people they can get, but they will have to pay what it takes to get enough people to do the work they want done. When there are large quantities of worker willing to work cheap it is a different story.

I REMEMBER WHAT MY DAD TOLD ME ONCE " THERES ALWAYS TWO SIDES TO A STORY AND IF YOU DONT KNOW SOMEONE YOU SURE DONT KNOW WHAT THERE GOING THROUGH" BUT REGARDLESS OF THIS GUYS SITUATION IF HE IS DOING CRAPPY WORK HE WILL NOT LAST LONG AND WILL GIVE HIMSELF A BAD REPUTATION QUICK.   

      I was talking to a guy here in south eastern Pa. about 1 year ago. He does regional work, plant piping etc. and was charging $65/hr and happy with that. I don't know what He is getting presently, or if He is still happy, as He does have to drive His equipment to the jobs, and fuel is an issue.

ive been in this area for over a year... i look forward to spring and summer. i do more repairs on the fly by night cut throughts. i want to THANK YOU. keep up the great\lousy work ill keep cleaning up after you. theres no way these guys could be running lagit. after expensses a guy would be broke at 50 an hour unless your running run down junk thats paid for ohwell im still greatful for there lack of work ethics and pride in craftsmanship

WELDORGUY: exactly the response I was looking, (hoping), for. You know what it's like to compete against these hacks willing to be short every month.Their wifes expect to pay the bills They don't give a rats #ss about us guys that have been there, and now do well for our family.

If you need money bad enough, you rob a liquour store. what's the difference?

I was in the pen for years and years. figured out the way OUT was hard work.

respectfully, Sully