Thought this was pretty interesting.  It's always been a neat place to work.  Damned impressive feat building this thing where they did, when they did, and in the amount of time they did.  I'm going to miss being up here.  But I'm sure looking forward to working at the house most of the time for a change. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Construction_of_the_Trans-Alaska_Pipeline_System

Direct quote "Most 798ers were characterized by a Southern accent, cowboy boots, and unique welder's hats.[37][39] They were the only people to weld the 48-inch (122-centimeter) pipe of the main pipeline, and outside observers characterized them as arrogant and "redneck". As a fellow welder stated at the time, "Take your typical 798 pipeline welder and feed him a few drinks, and he'll probably tell you that he's God's greatest gift to welding."[40] This attitude generated resentment from other pipeline workers, and the conflict caused large-scale brawls. In some instances, Alaska State Troopers had to be flown to pipeline camps in order to break up small riots.[41] Toward the end of the pipeline project, a series of bumper stickers was produced with the slogan "Happiness is 10,000 Okies going south with a Texan under each arm."

"In 1976, workers' pay averaged between $11 and $18 per hour, depending on the position. With workweeks averaging between 70 and 84 hours per week, the problem for many workers became what to do with so much extra money.[66] Teamster Jerry Thornhill, a typical worker, wrote to Money magazine, asking for advice. Thornhill detailed a pay rate of $57,000 per year at a time when members of Congress earned $42,500 annually, professional football players averaged $40,000, and U.S. vice president Nelson Rockefeller earned $62,500.[67] The large amounts of money in the pipeline camps and a lack of entertainment caused frequent gambling games that sometimes involved tens of thousands of dollars.[59][68] Instead of gambling, other workers saved their money for monthlong vacations to Hawaii or other warm climates, then returned to work with no money remaining."