Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge What Does Everyone Do For a Living

Heavy Equipment Mechanic. Fix anything and everything on any and all construction equipment. Work out of Operating Engineers local #12. Been Job Steward for 16 years.
Started twisting wrenches for a living while still in high school, went to college for a couple years and decided that, for me, making good money and having time to enjoy it is where it's at. Made the right choice.
Married for 29 years in July, three kids, three grandkids, two dogs, one turtle (sumbitch will probably outlive me).

I design aircraft carriers! Sounds really cool, but I just sit at a desk and punch keys on a computer all day.

Grew up in Wyoming, did my four in the navy onboard the USS Bataan (LHD-5). Got married, had a kid and now I am stuck in this state (can't get the wife to move.)

Just got my bike (about to hit 500 miles) so of course that is my hobby. Loving every mile of it. ANs of course very glad I got turned onto this site!

Newport News is our biggest customer of course. We are working on the ninth shipset of NSSN hardware for them now. We build it and ship it in place/store it in our faicility and ship it to their build schedule or when they call for it.

We make one valve for Aircraft carriers from time to time....part of the catapult system if memory serves me corractly

Exotic Dancer......at Comedy clubs...Nyuk Nyuk
Actually, I'm a System Operator for a Electrical Utility. Basically, I'm the guy who co-ordinates/directs Linemen when there's power outages etc... It's an interesting gig, as there's always something different. The shift work can be alittle hard at times as it's 24/7 365 days a year coverage.

Here we go
Im General Sales Manager of a mid sized chevy store Ron Marhofer Chevy Been doing this for 21 years. My wife does computers for the local Pizza Hut thats about 90 stores.
I love the job have a pretty darn good life and a great 11 year old son

Hey Grip, I did a rehab-engineering project in school!!

I'm a mechanical engineer, but right now my job title is "field service engineer". Basically, I fix stuff. I work for Waters Corp, fixing the HPLC (Hi Performance Liquid Chromatography) equipment. It makes sure the tylenol is actually tylenol, if that makes sense. I'm hoping to transfer up to MA to the engineering department and get back into the design aspect of things.

Wow after reading all these I'm surprised to see how many of us have technical jobs! Interesting

I should also mention,I worked construction as a summer job in college, and one summer working for a surveyor. Then after college I worked as an engineer for a Hydraulics company making power units for a lot of things, but a lot for GE power plants. Then I worked for a cargo securing systems company. We made a lot of stuff for the military. Lots of the tie downs used for shipping hummers, etc. Some kinda cool stuff. I miss the machine shop there

Well, for the last 25 and a half years I have served my country in the Air Force. I am done come August 1st!!! WooHoo
(insert happy dance here)
I am a Aircraft mechanic, although these days I'm more or less the boss, at least until those above me have 'better ideas' which is quit often!
Anyway, when I retire, I want to just cruise around on my speedy... however reality says I will be looking for a job working planes in the civilian world.

Later folks
Wendell
25 days til the bike gets to play!

Wendell , congrats on your impending retirement from the AF. I did not spend 20 I left after two hitches. I enlisted and went to lackland in late August of 73 and left in Dec 1980. Worked C-130, and O2-A at the end. At that time they still had a few reciprocating aircraft left in the inventory....I think the O2 was the last. I was at Little Rock AF base first and then trips overseas TDY to Germany...downrange trips to Spain and Italy. Then I got stationed in Japan for Two years before hitting Davis Monthan and the O2A'S. I worked in the Propeller shop. although they combined the propeller and engine specialties into one towards the tail end of my last hitch.

i am officially a "Lecturer"... which means i teach.

cat
here i am: me

Hey Becky! I hear there may be an opening for a Prosecuting Attorney up where they're having the Mousoui (or however you spell that idiot's name) trial. Ya gonna apply???

WHAT in the WORLD was she thinking!?!?!?!?!

Im a Diesel Fuel Injection Tech.I rebuild Bosch,Lucas,Delphi,Stanadyne,Denso,Zexel and other fuel systems along with Injectors and Turbos,been at it 20 years....hopefully I can find a different job someday

Hey Kevin,
Thanks, It has been a long 25 years to be sure. I started out on F-4s, then worked A-10s, then C-130s, then onto the heavies. It has been mostly fun! Been to Germany, England, Italy, Spain, Kuwait, Iraq, Japan, Korea, and I'm sure I missed a place or two.

Later
Wendell

Information Technology Manager for a large "pulp and paper" corporation.
I love golfing, enjoy running (even though it hasn't helped my weight loss!), road biking, half crazy raising teen boys, enjoy church (is this hobby?), reading.
Business degree but started out years ago doing software development for a fledging, eventually very successful company in manufacturing paper. Did some business consulting for a bit but currently in a Corporate environment(withhold comment since this is a public forum and i don't want to get let go...yet).

**I see a lot of jobs above that appear interesting and would love to have.

"Would you like fries with that sir" , Monday thru Friday. On the weekends it's "Care for the underbody flush today".

And then after work I go to the bar where old babes hang out and try to get them to buy me beer.

I had an "underbody flush" once. It's not something I like remembering...

Yeah JB?!!!

But I kind'a doubt whenever Tom gets an affirmative response he asks his customers to turn their heads and cough!!!

mechanic at a BFGoodrich plant in Opelika, Alabama. Not a fancy job, but it pays the bills and allows me the time I want and need for family and friends. One wife, Two kids (a daughter 15 and a son 14),one dog, and one cat. Ride safe and often. God bless all.

Hmmm? Where to begin? How about this (haven't seen this profeesion stated yet) A dairy farmer/crane operater/aircraft mechanic. Yep, grew up on the family farm milking hosteins, raising beef cattle,swine ect.. From that point I needed a change so a year after high school I joined the Navy. I spent 6 years as a plane captain/troubleshooter/airframes mechanic on the best fighter jet the US has ever had. The F-14 Tomcat. Well, decided the Navy was not a good place to start a family, so I separated and moved back home. Got a job working at Grove Worldwide testing Mobile Hydraulic Cranes ranging from 10-700 ton models. Meanwhile still helping with farm chores at home. Decided it would be a waste to give up 6 years of military service, so I joined the West Virginia Air National Guard a part time Aircraft Mechanic on C-130's.(another superior aircraft) Now, I'm working for the Air Guard full time. We are right in the middle of transitioning to the C-5 Galaxy. My job with the Guard is classified as a Crew Chief. Which to put it simply, I'm assigned to one aircraft and I oversee all maintenance as well as perform maintenance & inspections. Ensure the aircraft has been properly configured for all its missions ect... And of course helping with the farm chores at home.

I love the outdoors. Hunting, fishing, baseball, football, soccer. I ride ATV's and of course motorcycles. I cut firewood it seems like year round.

Love music, can't get enough of it. Pretty much all types except for rap and real heavy metal.

Married my high school sweetheart. We have been married 13 years and together for 23. She's everything you could ever ask for in a wife! She & the kids bought and suprised me with a Blue TBA on fathers day 2004.

2 wonderful kids. A 10 year old boy and a 6 year old daughter. The joy of my life.

And I try to be active with the community and church. But whoever decided to make 1 day 24 hours should have had his head examined.

Quite a diverse group of people on this site. That's what makes it interesting.

keep em coming!

Been in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard for 27 years come August 27th. Six years ago I went to Warrant Officer School, I am now a CW2. 19 years ago I got a full time job working for the PA Guard(Gov't Job)as a mechanic. I moved up from a mechanic to an inspector and 4 years ago I got a supervisors position. I supervise 9 mechanics and 1 tools and parts attendant between 2 different maintenance shops. The job can be a pain in the butt at times with all of the responsibilities and dealing with employees. I have 12 years and 4 months to go before I can retire but at least I get to retire at a decent age (56). Oh well enough rambling. Ron

Lots of IT types! got my MCSE in 98 but never really applied myself. I hate computers even though I understand them. My part time job is making FriarJohn shake his head in disbelief.

Retired Police State of Delaware, grew up in a construction invironment so am an insurance adjuster. Moved to Texas 10 years ago to run from forced busing when the kids were little. Just spent a bit over 5 months living next to Bonnyusa in Hollywood Florida working on losses from Katrina and Wilma. I travel several months a year then am marginally employed until the next storm season. Bought my bike in Florida but live in Texas. In the past two years have logged almost a year in Florida so am starting to wonder where I really live.

Ok my turn, I also have been in Aviation for 31 years. In fact my Friend Kerby on here and I worked together on F-14s in Oceana Virginia, did that Dessert Storm thing on the aircraft carrier USS Saratoga, very long 9 months. My first Mediterranean cruise with the Navy was 1976. I've worked on S-3s, P-3 Orions, F-14s,and did 6 years with Army National Guard working on BlackHawks, and Hueys. I am now an Aviation Maintenance Instructor for ATA Airlines for the last 8 years,(Just came out of Bankrupcy, a little smaller but still an airline). I taught A&P mechanics for 5 years and am now teaching B757 maintenance training.
I turned 50 in Nov, and my wife bought my 2005 TBA for my 50th. She bought it in Aug. so I could have some riding time. My wife and I have been together 14 years, no kids but a 55 lb dog, a 10 lb cat.Wife loves to ride but she said if she was going to do more than an hour on the back we were going to invest in new seat! So she insisted and I now have 2 new Corbin seats $551 including shipping. I may be a mechanic but I have to admit I have learned a lot from this site. I'm glad to be a part of this group.

Steve_Sixmil

I see that Becky admitted to being a lawyer without any nasty responses. So I guess I can too. I am also a lawyer. Gee, I feel better now. I have my own firm and concentrate in workers compensation litigation.

The details of my life are quite inconsequential.... very well, where do i begin? My father was a relentlessly self-improving boulangerie owner from Belgium with low grade narcolepsy and a penchant for buggery. My mother was a fifteen-year-old French prostitute named Chloe with webbed feet. My father would womanize; he would drink; he would make outrageous claims like he invented the question mark. Sometimes he would accuse chestnuts of being lazy. The sort of general malaise that only the genius possess and the insane lament. My childhood was typical. Summers in Rangoon, luge lessons. In the spring we'd make meat helmets. When I was insolent I was placed in a burlap bag and beaten with reeds- pretty standard really. At the age of twelve I received my first scribe. At the age of fourteen a Zoroastrian named Vilma ritualistically shaved my testicles. There really is nothing like a shorn scrotum... it's breathtaking- I highly suggest you try it.

Siggy

We have 2 Lawyers, a couple of Police Officers(MIlitary and Civilian)Plenty of mechanics and some computer experts. I feel safe now, I think we have just about everything. Are you sure you Lawyers don't give out advice!!! just kidding!

Steve

oh boy where to start:
Miner, Landscape Gardner, Painter and Decorator, Doorman (bouncer), now a Nurse!! (work that one out) , worked in A&E (ER), and Intensive Care. Now what is called a Ward Manager (modern name for a Sister/Charge Nurse), speciallising in Neuro-rehabilitation.

Married for 16yrs - wife also a nurse (who said there is no romance over a bed pan!!!!!!).
Two sons, 20 and 13.

Paul

I've been sitting here trying to think up a smartass answer but I'll play it straight.

They call me a Software Engineer but I'm really a glorified web designer. I started my career in '94 with a BFA in Graphic Design from Colorado State and it's just sort of evolved from there. After eight years at my current company my job has moved away from web design to web-based application development (mostly interface design but I'm also learning Java) but I've started a side business doing just web design, with the blessing of my company.

Keeping my day job pays the bills and I can be very selective about the clients I take on for web design.

Hey Steve, do you need a slighty worn out crew chief with an A&P??? LOL
Dealt with a bunch of ATA birds going through the Azores, mostly the L1011s. They always seemed preety cool.

Cheers everyone
Wendell
only 24 days to when the rubber meets the road...

I am a electrician and work for a large contractor, currently I am supervising the installation of a Fire alarm system for a large commercial building in Coral Gables ,Fl. I am a single parent of two teenagers (17 and 19) . Riding is my therapy for all the stress working and raising two kids can bring.

Don't need any slightly used A&Ps but Kerby going to need some help picking up some slightly used C-5s from Dover. Guess West Va. needs to beef up their military. Virginia probably trying to take over again. Glad you gave our L1011s a drink there in the Azores. We actually have 5 still flying Military Charter. Hard to believe that the L1011s are still around!
Steve

I build Jets!

Actually I am a misplaced Instrumentation Engineer building control systems for business jets.



The world fastest commercial jet! (sans Concorde)

And you thought there were only tornados and cows in Kansas.

I help the federal government spend our tax dollars. In my rolodex I have several hundred Govt. P-Card numbers at my disposal. (not for my personal use obviously) My work is steady right now but will start to ramp up around June and in September I will be screaming and wishing it was October. GSA contract. Most of my business is done with the military branches. Defense finance pays rather quick so I cant really complain much.
Machinist for twelve years prior to sales, auto mechanic prior to machinist and school prior to work ! Lived in Albuquerque for 46 years (B-day this Sunday). Beer for 32 years, first wife 17 years, second wife 10 years now I think. She is a keeper. No children, 1 dog, riding for 35 years, too many bikes to count, to many cars to count, heart condition, Wrist bones removed, both arms surgicaly cut in two and shortened 11mm, AC joint removed & partial clavical removal from right shoulder, bicepts tendon re-attached and compression in left shoulder, Currently I have torn labrum in both shoulders (painful to ride at this point but do anyway). Current transportation: 2002 Toyota Pre runner (mine), 2003 PT Cruiser (hers), 2002 SILVER AMERICA (MINE,MINE,MINE !!!!!!!!!
Hobbies: Wood working (30 years),silver smith (30 years) beer (32 years) btw, bought myself a couple bottles of Arrogant Bastard Ale to celebrate B-Day Sunday
Everything the wife and I have is paid for

The wife, my better half



my best friend Lobo



and last but not least, my ride

Over the road truck driver, I go from Wichita Ks to Pheonix Az or LA Ca and back almost every week. Dont have much time to ride my bike stay on road too much 150K mi. per year. Never could get the hang of a regular job. Have also worked in Oil Field and as a Millwright

Siggy,

You left out your career as writer of Tarantino ficks....
Funny stuff, dude !!!

Well... after 30 years, I semi-retired from the computer industry in 2000. At the time I managed a group of diverse tech's that went around the World installing telephony-related systems (Nortel Networks).

I now sell frue-frue furniture to little ol' ladies, so I can keep my health insurance intact, as well as have some chump change for my hobbies.

I currently have a '78 BMW R100 & '66 F100 pickup in early stages of restoration. I'm also a music lover and Ebay addict!!

retired steelworker. 2.5 years now.

jerry

heavy equipment operator/crane operator.I actually enjoy my job.second marriage,got it right this time.full custody of my two teenage daughters.close to getting my private pilot license.love my 2005 TA.
Mike

Wow, some of you guys have some interesting careers and some of it sounds personally rewarding. Great mix of people we have here.

Me, nothing glamorous here, I'm a parts manager for a luxury car dealer. Been in the auto biz for a little over 12 years. Started out working on them. Had the opportunity to make more money and took it. Married 6 years, 1 son 2 years old, another baby on the way, 2 bikes(both triumphs), a boat, and an inoperable 64 Ford Falcon getting a heart transplant.

Um well uh I've been putting the whatchamacallit in the thingamajiggy for a utility in D.C. for 23 years. I think
I need to look for a new line of work since they don't make whatchamacallits anymore. Oh and I've tended somewhere around 1.8 million chickens, but I'm done with that now. I just don't give a cluck anymore.