I know I've asked this in the past, but with so many new members I thought I'd ask again. I find it interesting.

Myself, I am a graduate student at Utah State University finishing up (hopefully) a MS in Range Ecology. This summer I'm doing and internship with the BLM out of the Salt Lake City field office. After that, I don't know.

So, how about you?

I am a retired Deputy Sheriff cross trained as a Paramedic. Been a pistolsmith as well for about 40 years. I now have more to do than when I was working, the family cannot stand to see me with any free time! That and being a bit of a "hobby farmer" as well.

write articles and books

Emergency Room RN

Semi- retired country gentleman.

Plumber. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I have an office job at General Motors. Scheduling and receving production material. That pays the bills. Also an appretice in the Game of Life. (I'm kind of trying to stretch out the alternate occupation as far as I can... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )

the9.3Guy

Mechanical Engineer. I design process system for grinding/classifying equipment, mostly dry processes, from small skids to large plant-sized systems.

I work for the Missouri Dept. of Mental Health.

I am the Bud man. And no, I'm not referring to weed.

Mechanical Engineer - Middle management- run a technology Research & development team for Business LASER Printers. Also a loving husband to my wonderful spouse (better benefits!!).

electronic tech for the phone company during the week

satellite tech in the Ga. Air National Guard 1 weekend per month

Millwright," A chunk of iron is a chunk of iron "

Currently a salesman of bacteria, aerators, macronutrients and micronutrients for industrial wastewater treatment..Mainly pulp and paper mills.

But I'm always looking <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Mike

I'm an uneducated Tree Surgeon,who patiently awaits his first patient to survive.

There's always tommorow...........................

I am a peddler of datacomm equipment but don't tell my wife. She thinks I play piano in a whore house. :-) TM

Teach at a public high school. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> When the school year is over I collect aluminum cans and panhandle at convenience stores. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I'll let you know if I ever grow up and decide to become anything.

Retired School Administrator (31 years) I now have a small architectural practice designing custom homes and small commercial buildings.

Getting time off in the fall to go hunting was a real pain in the butt, now my problem is I have to many places to go. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Retired USAF, . Fisherman in summer, hunter in fall, but currently a house husband. Pays much better than the AF but I only do windows every other decade, (My story).

Another Mechanical Engineer here. Specifically ... in a single word ... PLASTICS

I review building permit and septic permit applications for the county and yes they are harder to get than well fair.

Bullwnkl

Attorney.

petroleum prostitute in Prudhoe Bay, part-time charter boat owner/operator, sculptor, writer and a few other diversions...
art

Gene donor.

IIFID
And in a vertical direction? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
art

Mechanical Engineer, manage a group that develops control systems to automate plants.

Licensed surveyor

Environmental consultant in the petroleum industry....

I'm a weather forecaster for the USAF at this time. Looking forward to civilian life soon.

Hudge

SD:

If the pay is right.......

Gene donor=Daddy, a job which I am proud to hold but the hours are long.

Duck plucker and professional goat navel de-linter.

BCR

Hey, if I told anyone what I really did my boss might find out and that would be the end of a good thing. As of now he thinks I'm a cryogenic field tech, but in reality I'm just a guy who gets paid to go to places other folks retire and buy motor homes to visit
Truth is I'm just trying to stay out of sight and out of trouble for just under four more years.

Ex Lumber Trader as of tommorow.

I'll be starting a new job monday as a pimp for Winchester ammuntion and Beretta firearms. Law enforcement and sporting. I'll be working Oregon
and southern Idaho. Somebodys got to do it.

Anybody for a gel test with their favorite bullet? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Petroleum products and futures trader.

Civil engineer doing airport projects around the West. Engineer Captain in the Army Reserve. Superdave

Independant sales rep - alpine skiing equipment.

JimF

I'm and Electrical contractor(at least until the money runs out), and I am also an Independent rep. for a Timberframe Home supplier out of Canada.

Ex-screenwriter.

Current day job: Network guru and bit-jockey emeritus at a wire foundary.

Weekends: Pastor of the Genesis 9:2-4 Ministry of Bracken County, KY.

Quality Assurance Supervisor is the job that pays the bills. I make Custom Knives on the side and that helps me afford my gun and hunting habits, but my real passion in life is my family.
Droptine

Chief Financial Officer for a small company in Memphis, TN. I'm a CPA, but haven't practiced in public acct'g since 1987.

vocation: newspaperman. (and i ain't no stinkin' liberal)

avocation: sunday school teacher and youth worker at my church

hobby: enjoying my boys grow up with a little huntin' and shootin' on the side; finally, really getting to know the mother of those two boys - my lovely wife.

For the next 2 days an Admissions Counselor for a small Christian college, been doing it since January. Then unemployed, over educated, no experience havin' job seeker! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Official lisenced bikini inspector by day and by night a student and daddy, oh and my second job is a transportation analyst for a cosmetic company(no, not a truck driver or dispatcher.....Cheaha) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> I also sell formal wear to campfire members, mostly prom dresses and pink frilly things, oh and pumps. Pumps with a bow on the toe have become very popular lately for some reason. I can't seem to stay in them. Flinch

Stictly blue collar here! Plant Relocation/Machinery Mover for way too long, now a Crane Operator.

Phil

To finance my so called life, I put elevators in buildings to transport people, it's not glamorous, and the groupies are few and far between, but it pays the bills.-KT28

Sell custom designed electrical equipment, mainly metal enclosed capacitor banks and harmonic filter banks. Free time is spent messing around with old rifles, especially old Model 70s and Mausers. Live in the state with the lowest crime rate in the nation, one of the poorest standards of living, highest cancer rate, BUT a great place to hunt and shoot. Gun ownership is one of the highest in the nation....West Virginia.

Lobbyist ... for the NRA, of course.

Retired electrician and practicing husband and father. Trying as a grand

father to do those things I didn't think I had time to do with my children.

Welder/fabricator....abrasive waterjet operator for a small ornamental ironworks shop. 4fun

HR director, Grandpa.

Youth Pastor, husband of 5 years, and Daddy of 7 months. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Tracks: My favorite expression for your situation (I've been there before) is, "staying under the radar". It's too easy to get shot down when you're on somebody's radar screen.

Band Director

I am a Police Officer working the First Watch(midnights). When I'm not there, I'm a Daddy of three :-) Wouldn't trade it for the world!!!!!!!!!!

Still an aircraft mechanic in the US Coast Guard.

In 19 months I retire, after that, who knows? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Service Assurance Manager with FedEx.

Eskimo Ivory Carver, with over 7 years experience. Winner of two Highest Honor awards and a Special Recognition award. A few members of the Goo-Goo Dolls own my work. ~~~Suluuq

www.northwestarcticborough.org/arcticraft/donferguson/index.htm

got to say, r-g, yours is the most interesting sounding job. cool. and the goo-goo dolls are one of my favorite secular bands.

Rusty, Hi thar stranger, where you been hiding. Did JLH finally come to town?

Roving (contractor) project engineer. Specializing in air pollution control and heat transfer improvement for heavy industry. Mainly electrical power plants to include coal, oil, gas, waste to energy and nuclear. My associates and I have developed a regeneration process for the new industrial sized catalytic convertors.

Oh! I'm also a licensed industrial specialty blaster, not demolition, more precision cutting, metal hardening and coatings application using special explosives.

Now that I think about it, I get my fingerprints checked more in 1 year than the average street hooker will in a lifetime!

Well.. lets see..

I graduated with a criminal Justice degree, started to work towards a criminal law degree... just ended up not liking lawyers a whole lot.. I was a Police Officer for a while when I was approached by an aquaintence and went into the private sector as a P.I. Mostly undercover work for large corperations and government. I also was a body guard when not working undercover. After a few high profile court cases I had to get out of the P.I. undercover work. I then became an insurance fraud investigator for the largest adjusting firm in the world and for medical reasons I was advised to change careers.. so I did.

I now own and operate D-n-R Ranch a guest ranch in Cody Wy. with my beautiful wife. I also am a professional guide in the fall. I wouldn't trade it for the world!!

WW,
You on the south fork? Know anybody at the Double Diamond X? I didn't have enuff money to set up my outfittin' business proper. Lost my arse. Ain't a easy field to break into in these parts, 'thout a trust fund that is. So now I'm back in public administration, spendin' those tax dollars an' hirin' lazy no-account bureaucrats who got no other place left to go. I was keepin' my hand in guidin' up til las' year. Now I'm burnt out on thet too. I shoe hosses in the summer after work. Keeps me in shape an' provides extra money fer my wife to spend. Unlike dude hunters, I ain't met many horses I didn't like.

Pointer,
For a Living.I check the mail on the first of the Month. Some nice folks send me money.
When I was young and foolish,I worked my arse off to get by.
But with Age,comes knowledge;now I have pension,SSC,dividends and distributions to help me get by.
To keep my hand in,I still redeem empty beer cans.
Frank

ms,

I live on the norhtfork, Wapiti to be specific.... I do know the DDX... I know the owners actually... thing is they folded... shut down. I'm real good friends with the folks that do/did the pack trips for them...

Yeah outfittin' ain't cheap.... the best way to make a million here in Cody is bring 3 with ya...

Full time engineer at a Silicon Valley High Tech Company <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />, Part time owner of a startup hunting web site. OOOOOOH!!! Sorry for the plug, but you asked. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

currently a Food Service Director,

with luck I'll be a Store Manager at Hooters shortly!

Lawyer. Its what I do, not what I am.

German car repair shop owner, BMW tech, confused-car-owner counselor, miracle worker (Can't you just do a temperary fix? I'm only going to keep it another 15 years or so <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />)just struggling to make ends meet right now. Theres light at the end of the tunnel, though. (Hope it isn't a train coming........ <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />)
badger.

I'm a sawfiler. Work on band saws and round saws. Sharpen, level, tension, weld teeth back in when we hit nails in the log, etc.
Been working for Rosboro Lumber co. in Springfield Or. for 33 years.
Virgil B.

A electronics technician for the US Coast Guard, have been for 19 years. Currently the XO of a LORAN Station.

I am a newsman also, one of 28 years. I am also a former practicing drunk and former smoker, but I don't think those qualify as professions. I see there's only one other newsman on this thread, Fish280. As this is my first post, I'll keep it real short, like end it now! Tom Purdom <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Retired (or is that retarded?) Deputy Sheriff. Right now doing anything I can to supplement my income. Would love to sell out in central NY and move to the Adirondacks until the Good Lord calls me home.
Qtip
Soli Deo Gloria
To God Alone Be The Glory!

Part time Aggie/log seller/computer fixer/ just finished a degree course in Computer Science and therefore nicely poised for a new career in ...... TBA...

Full time Professional Hunter living in South Africa and operating mostly in SA, Mozambique & Tanzania with occasional visits to Namibia, Cameroon, Botswana etc. Also occasionally a wildlife photographer when I can con the odd magazine into buying my images

Just had my website updated and seeking opinions from fellow hunters on it. www.kuduland.com

Other hobbies when I have time are Buffalo hunting and any kind of fishing.

I work for a large defense contractor as a Systems Engineer. I work in a space (as in beyond the earth, space !!) business area and we design, mfg. and qualify payloads for commercial and Gov. Sats., including NASA. We have payloads in Earth orbit, on Mars and in the outer reaches of the solar system.

But, my first love, besides the Mrs and my children, is hunting and shooting. I handload for a bunch (too many, just ask my wife !! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />) of rifles and enjoy shooting them all.

In case anyone is wondering, my handle hicountry is literally what it sounds like...highcountry, as in Wy, Colo, Montana, NM, places where I have been fortunate to have hunted.

Alaska is next on the list of places I'd like to hunt.

Look forward to posting more in this great forum.

hc

Welcome to the fire 7X57, Grants,NM Hmmmmm Casy Jones resturant still going there? How about the PD population right downtown?

I run a barker(DE-barker actually)for a mill that makes veneer.For plywood,not the purty stuff.
Jeff

Terry, I didn't know you knew anything about Grants,NM. I drilled a disposal well for Anaconda Copper just outside town years ago. Stayed in THE hotel, corner room overlooking beautiful Grants and the highway when the dust cleared a little,(just kidding). The country side was covered with malipie? and if I had it down here in Texas I could be rich selling it for landscaping. Grants will teach you what hot is in the summer and cold in the winter, just like Amarillo, Texas.-- no

Retired. Split my time between Bradford County ,PA and Burlington County,NJ. Currently redoing a small home on 50 acres in PA and fixing the NJ home to sell. Hope to move this year. Lou

Oh yeah, had a friend that worked at the Acoma Indian Hospital and used to stop by for lunch with her once and awhile, we lived up in Taos for awhile, my wife worked at the Taos Pueblo clinic for IHS. I do love the country, but it makes Floride feel cool in the summer!

Currently the chief cook and bottle washer and to a loving wife and family of 4 and the Safety Director for a chemical corporation. Been with them for 14 years, started in sales then became the Plant Manager for their site here in Buffalo and now this gig. Its not bad, some travel involved to our other plants and my office is at home, which is real nice. Also do a little guiding for a friend in New Mexico to help support my habit.

I'm a retired Drywall Taper. Say what you want about unions, and I've probably said it too, they do have a modest retirement plan for old burn outs like me.
I'm in school and working as a drug and alcohol counselor. This year, I'm not going back to school in the fall. My plan is to work as much as I feel like it, when I feel like it, and play in the summer and fall. I didn't maintain my Dodge truck, my Lance Camper and my Jeep just to look at them.
Right now, I'm waiting impatiently for the high country to open, which won't be until after July 4th. Then, you may well not hear from me much. E

Past
Of the "Baby Boomer Generation", I worked for a major airline carrier. I switched careers and retired from a Denver Metro Area police force in the 90s.

Currently
I own a horse boarding stables here in Ft Collins and in my spare time, I'm working on my teaching certificate. (This time I'm really learning something).

I'm a writer.

Prospector

Every tub has to sit on its own bottom.

Probate Judge-- Bill

Wyowhisper,
I used to work for RF. That ol' coon still runnin' back an' forth to NYC? He used to fly out ever Monday and Back on Friday. Took all day to get back an' forth. Saw his office in NYC onct. Big view of the Statue of Liberty. One Liberty Plaza I think. He moved an' a year later that building was wiped out by the 9/11 attacks. That dude has way too much money to run a dude ranch anyhoo.

Mechanical Engineer - High temperature High Pressure equipment - some for R&D some for waste destruction.
In my spare time my boys and I & hunt, fish & camp here in SW Montana. Since I am a rural resident I can watch elk from my living room window and walk to go fishing.

Sharps

I work in the oil and gas exploration business, as a geologist. Primarily exploring for gas, in SW Wyoming.

Hello again all, especially T Lee and Need One. I moved to Grants in 1998, from Mexico, Mo., quite a switch going from the green of Missouri to the brown of New Mexico. None-the-less, the area is beautiful. As far as Grants goes, it has some really great people living here, but I cannot say too much for any of the governments running the shows here and in Cibola County. The Casey Jones restaurant was named The Station and it went under just this last year. The owners retired and I know them both well, Bud and Shirley Rieck. Really nice folks. We do have p-dogs in town, sort-of. Mostly they are out on Lobo Canyon Road going up the side of Mount Taylor. That rock stuff is lava rock and they call it El Malpais, Spanish for The Badlands. That stuff can cut a pair of sneakers off your feet in 30 minutes. El Malpais is dangerous if you don't watch what you are doing. We had a father/daughter combo that went hiking near the Tubes (huge lava caves that go for miles and miles under the lava flows) and just disappeared from the face of the earth. The state police belive the two may have gotten lost in one of the tubes and simply expired down there. Just 20 minutes out of town and I am up in the mountains (Grants is 6,500 feet elevation and Mount Taylor is 11,301 feet up there), or up in the Zuni Mountains. We've got elk, mule deer, antelope, black bear, cougar, turkey, quail and gobs of P-dogs around these parts, or near these parts. I used to travel through this area on I-40 from 1965 through 1972, when I was making trips to Vietnam and always told myself that one day I would live here. I could go on and on, but I know someone else needs the space on this thread, so I'll shut up and let someone else go for awhile. Have a nice moment! Tom Purdom, also known as 7x57mm because that's what I shoot. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Neat, I haven't been out there for about 4 years, Bobby moved to the Pine Ridge reservation and we came back to Fl. I do miss the PD shooting and still love the high desert, it has a beauty all it's own and like you say, the people are great. Bet the Acoma Casino is doing a land office business with the truckers!

Been out on the lave beds, and it cut up a pair of old combat boots pretty quick as well, hate to fall down on that stuff.

Curently walking the barb wire in Kosovo.
perk

Chemical Engineer,

Currently doing process diagnostics in plants all over the south-east.

Lead operator in oil refinery on the Gulf coast has been paying the bills now for a little over 27 years. Enjoying the grandchildren a good second job.

Adminstrator at a Community College

Howdy, I work as a Trainer, Quality Assurance Coordinator for an events logistic and staffing company. We do all types of events for the Auto Industry such as Sales Training, New Vehicle Launches, Fleet Management, Press Releases, Consumer Events and Dealer Drive-aways. It's a unusual job with lots of travel. Most fun is building off road courses for 4x4's and doing validation on manufacturer claims.

The latest job has us building an off road torture track for the hummer2 for consumers to test drive. I live in western Penna. and live to hunt and explore.

Exec. Director of a non-profit organization. Work with prisoners and ex-prisoners. Last thing in the world I thought I'd be doing, but been doing it for almost 20 years now. God has the best plan!

In one word... "study"...for five more years (high school and college), because my mother would kill me if I didn't.

Haven't been around here for a while. Good to see that the campfire hasn't died down one bit.

Doren

Electrical Engineer, design Next Gen voice packet systems for Sprint.
Did nearly 12 in the Air Force as telephone switch tech, got out went to college (Iowa State) for my EE. Been here in Kansas City for about 5
years now.

Spot

Active Duty Military. Been lurking here for a while, but haven't posted much. Seems like a lot of good folks here. Been overseas for 6 years and will be getting back to the US late this summer. Can't wait. Hunting and shooting have been at a minimum. Going to fire up the reloading press when I get back too. Have only reloaded for handguns in the past, so I'll definitely be asking for some rifle cartridge techniques and load info.

PRP

La4wd,

Just out of curiosity which refinery do you work in? I'm guessing Conoco in Sulphur...

hey tom/7x57:

if i ever move out of alabama, it'll be to new mexico, probably south of you down around the mountainaire/belin/socorro area. we have friends there. visited over spring break. absolutely love the high desert. doesn't appear to be a whole lot of game around the area we know, but our friends aren't hunter types and so don't keep up with such. they have a 7,000-acre horse and cattle ranch. i know they've got mountain goats (or is it sheep?) in the mesas and arroyos and some mule deer down low. mule deer up on the nearby manzano mountains. don't know about p-dogs or elk or cougars. i've seen antelope about 50-100 miles east of there in the flatlands.

LSU, yep..but we are now called ConocoPhillups. Located at Lake Charles

lucky guess. We do a lot of work in Conoco-Phillips in Belle Chase. We're usually in the Lake Charles plant a few times a year. I've done a lot of work in that area but its all been at Citgo and Citgo Lubes. Always make it a point to stop and eat at Pats when we're finished.

Real Estate Broker, Central Coast of California...

Fish280: In that area there are some antelope, p-dogs, coyotes, rabbits, mule deer and waterfowl. Just 60 miles west, southwest of there are more antelope, elk, bigger mulies, bear and cougars in the Gila National Forest and the bottom edges of the Cibola National Forest. New Mexico in general has elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, ibex, turkey, javelina, oryx, cougar, blackbear, quail, pheasants, ducks and geese, a few Thar and some barbary sheep. Go west out of Soccorro on New Meixco 60 and you run smack dab into the VLA radio telescopes where the movie Contact was filmed in part. I live in Grants, about 150 miles from where you are talking about. It is pretty here and the hunting is good. As far as journalism goes, government corruption is worse than in Hugo, Okla., in the mid 1980s, so there is plenty to write about. We also have other things to write about. I did three stories for Thursday's rag ... on on a BLM wild mustang auction in Belen, one on the game and fish department stocking Bluewater Lake with Tiger Muskie and one about a salute to the US Troops. Gotta go and watch the boob-tube a bit more. Have a nice moment! Tom Purdom <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Yes Sir, and if you want to head north on the Rio Grande there is some good Northern Pike fishing up by Taos and north!

Computer Programmer. been doing it since 78. tom

Aviation hound for the last 12 or so years...actually just changed jobs to a new company and start this Monday!!!

I'm a retired Vermont state trooper have been now since '90.Now I just find things to do I like, like working at the golf course part-time. We are presently trying to sell our condo, and are going to be moving to Silver City, New Mexico. Thought I might like to try a little less winter and better hunting.

Research associate in plant genetics. -al

I'm doing my best to ensure that there are people able to pay for my retirement - I'm a school principal.

Before that I was a fish and wildlife biologist, construction worker, sports photographer, counsellor for emotionally disturbed kids, and a couple of other things that I can't remember right now. It's been a long road ... retirement is about 5 years away. Somehow I think that retirement will be my most challenging and rewarding career.

I am a Director of Pharmacy for two local hospitals.

joes

Just finishing college (exams week) and will graduate as mining technologist. Have and will be employed as an underground coal miner.

miner luke,

I feel for you, I guess it runs in the family to want to mine underground. That is something I doubt that I could ever do for a living. Some of my family members do it for a living and have done it for years. I have went underground once and found out that coal mining would never be my bag. It has to be in your blood I guess since the cousins and uncles etc. don't even think about it. We have lost a couple of cousins in the mines so be careful in your endeavors.

Research Assistant at Texas A&M University (WHOOP!). Working on my PhD in Chemistry.

Union Carpenter in Southern Kalifornia for one of the largest Acoustical (t- Bar) Contractors in the state.

7400Hunter

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I dont exactly know how i ended up as a miner, since my family members are mostly loggers, carpenters or farmers. I guess you could say i sort of fell into it. It is hard to describe the experience of working in a dark, muddy, hole 1000' underground everday. But i guess that sort of grew on me too. I must say that the feeling of coming off of shift back to surface and seeing the sunlight is one that never grows old, I still crack a smile everytime. You feel like you have won. But i have had some close calls working under scabby roof. That is an experience i could do without! Why men will go and work under those conditions im still not sure, it sure isnt for riches and glory. I wish the best of luck to your family members, we have a few refuges from the eastern coalfields working at our mine here in British Columbia.

Luke

Miner Luke,
I can certainly appreciate what you are saying! I worked in the coal mines in West Virginia until I was finally able to get out. I have worked in coal seams from 24" high to 72" high and believe me, it's a tough life. I really appreciate the job I have now. Are you working in a coal mine or some other type of mine?

pointer,

I retired from Chrysler after 37 years in Feb 2001. I picked up a couple of clients and opened a manufacturer's rep company at that time. Now I work 3 or 4 days per week. At Chrysler I was a Supplier Quality Specialist for the last eleven years.

In a past life I was a reserve deputy sheriff for 20 years (1968 to 1988). I did everything: jail guard, road patrol, radio dispatcher, juvenile officer, narcotics enforcement, warrant detective, and public relations.

I owned a couple of guns but didn't shoot much until I became a deputy. Found out that I had a natural propensity to hit the "X" and never looked back.

Model70man

I work at an underground coal mine here in British Columbia. Our seam is 10+ feet thick and we mine it by room and pillar so thankfully i have never had displeasure of working in a 3' narrow seam mine. I would assume that those were longwall mines that you worked at? What are you doing now by the way?

Luke

model70man
I did that for a while when I lived in Kentucky......strip and underground......I like building rifles a WHOLE lot better... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Charlie

Miner Luke,

The mines I worked in used Joy low vein continuous miners (14CM type) and some of the lower seams used the old Wilcox/Fairchild miners which were manuevered around with wire rope cables and sheaves. This was normally 3 entries and leaving pillars for support. After I left the mines I went to work for a company that makes electrical underground and surface equipment to supply all of the power distribution for mining. I was a service technician (certified MSHA electrician) and travelled to mines all over the east doing repair work. I have been in mines all over WV, Kentucky, Ohio, PA, TN and Virginia. The worst rat holes were in eastern KY and southwestern VA, most of them being very low and dangerous (we called them punch mines). As you know, it's another world down there. When you turn off your cap lamp it's so black that you literally can't see your hand one inch in front of your face. I got tired of near misses with roof falls and rib rolls and quit with a wife, two babies and no job. Fortunately, the good Lord took care of me and has led me every inch of the way since. I still work for the same company but now I sell metal enclosed capacitor banks, metal enclosed harmonic filter banks (Toyota car factories use these from us) and reactors and no longer have to go inside the mines. I have been around longwall miners doing support work on the electrical systems and it's awsome when you see the top falling behind you as the hydraulic jacks advance forward. Good talking to you. Thanks...

Charlie,
I can identify with you on that. I'm surprised to hear you were a miner. I've read about you for several years in my gun magazines, saw your advertisements, and then saw you were a regular on the forum. You are doing what I always wanted to do. When I got out of the Army in 1971 I started to go to the Pennsylvania Gunsmith School on the GI Bill but never followed up on it and always regretted it. Rifles have always been my only hobby and interest. I guess it really is a small world. By the way, I've been reading your posts for several months and I wish all rifle builders and gunsmiths were as friendly as you and lots of others here seem to be. I called a famous pistolsmith (he also made lots of 1911 sights) here in my home state of WV one time and he snapped my head off and seemed very annoyed at me for calling and taking up his time. I also wrote a famous 'smith in Missouri one time and sent along a stamped, self addressed envelope, complete with stationary (I wanted him to do some work for me) and he never bothered to even return an answer. So, thanks!!!

model70man
I think taking the time to talk to folks is becoming a lost art. Seems nobody has time for anyone anymore. I regularly get calls from folks who have just talked to a famous "smith" and they are so pissed its a wonder they ever buy a rifle from anyone. I just dont see how folks like that stay in business. Some gun writers(just one) are the same way. About 6 years ago the editor of a magazine I was advertising in at the time said "we are looking for a project and we need someone to do the work. Call so-and-so writer and he will fill you in and then get started." I called the writer and told him I was told to call him and he said quote "I dont have time for you or your kind." end quote. I said ok, you wont be bothered with me again. So like I said its everywhere. That why I like to deal with the writers and folks here. Common ,regular people who dont think their $#!@ dont stink. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> I think sometimes folks get a little irratated with me becuase I dont call back the same day, but sometimes I work at night so I dont get so far behind. I usually can do twice as much work and better work at night because the phone isnt ringing off the wall. Maybe one day I can have a bonita senorita <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> for a secretary and a shop full of workers and I can just hunt and talk rifles all day. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />..... not likely... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Charlie

Model70man

I hear you, from what i have seen being a mechanic or electrician in a coal mine must be the most thankless job out there! No wonder mines have a tough time recruiting journeyman heavyduty mechanics and electricians. In the last year-year and a half, the mine i work at has gone thru atleast 3 or 4 mechanics. They all seem to find easier ways to make a living! God Bless

LUKE

I'm a lawyer in Vancouver.

More significantly, I'm soon to be the father of a little boy. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

US Army AH-64D Longbow Attack Helicopter Pilot, husband, and father of three.

John

I did 20 yrs in Underground Nuclear tesing, blowing things up. Since 95 I have been doing perimeter security systems for large faclities like refineries, etc. and force/asset protection for military bases. I retire August 1st, 50 more working days to go. Then it's honey do's, mule training, elk hunting , shooting and fishing. In that order.

Hondo64d,

Something I always wanted to do, was to fly Helicopters. I've rode in a many of CH-46/47's and 53's and flew a new, brand spankin new 206 one day. Wish I had done more to get the certificate for rotary wing.

model70man,

I bet you and my brother have crossed paths with your work around the mines. He does a lot of the same thing you're talking about. He worked a lot in WV, VA, and KY. He is now working for Addicton (spelling) setting up some kind of new miner in Wyoming. If I understand him right it bores the coal out from under the mountian top and then moves in a lateral direction and bores again. He just came back from NewMexico which he was working on a Hoard system. It runs the miner and navigated it underground with a computer, no one person was under ground nor could they go underground because of the level of the gas located there. I guess everybody worked outside of the mine unloading and loading.

7400 Hunter

It sounds like he's working with a Superior High Wall Miner or something like it. I'm familiar with Addington, they had holdings in VA and WV. It's a small world. Thanks...

I am an operator at a Chemical Plant in Deer Park ,TX. 17 years now and just turned 65. Worked for Armco Steel for 18 years when they shut down. Had to start over.

Going to Colorado area 61 in October to beat the bushes for a big bull for my middle son.

Charlie Sisk is very helpful and skilled gun artisan. Luck or planning, I am jealous.

This thread is the handiest spot on the net for me. Thanks, Rick.

Chris, come on back with your advice and expertise.

Thanks to everybody that has given me such guidance and assistance.

sweetsue

It's such a small world sometimes. Even though I'm in West Virginia I sell metal enclosed capacitor banks to a company named Dashiell in Deer Park, Texas and have done so for about 15 years. They are one of our best customers. Armco had coal mines in WV for years. I didn't know Charlie was an ex-coal miner until a couple of days ago. I hope to get a rifle from him some day. Best Regards...

Retired Police Officer for major deployed Canadian Police force. (30 years)
Full time pastor of a small Baptist Church. (6 years)
Part-time Prosecutor of Traffic/Liquor/Bylaw offences. (2 years)
Full time father and husband. (17 years)
Hunter and shooter (all my life)

New member here.

Full-time vigneron, grower of grapes, maker and drinker of wine.

Part-time or whenever I can - hunter <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Liscensed General Contractor - Home Builder. Started the business 3 years ago. It gave me more time to do what I want.

Pmc

Writer.

L.W.

I worked for Phillips Petroleum comapny in their Facilities Group for 27 years and then they told me my wood was dead and sent me home. (Best Thing That ever happened to me) For the past 8 years I have been a Project Manager for a General Contractor and have discovered what it's like being a name and not a number. Well like most jobs it just enables me to shoot, Hunt, Reload, and Buy rifles.
I does however bother me how Phillips is now Conoco Phillips when Phillips owns the majority of the stock, Kinda make me want to go Hummmmmm. Oh well I don't reall give a D___n any more just as long as my retirement money is there when I want it. My biggest job at this point is being a good Grandpa to my Grandchildren and passing on my love for the outdoors, Hunting & Fishing to them. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Tool & Die Maker By trade. Started in 1968.

B.S. Degree from IUP, Masters from Pitt

Taught Post Secondary Education - Geometry and Trig

Owner of my own Tool & Die Shop since 1994

Owner of Groove Bullets Company

Don

Land surveyor. Land Surveyor in Training, that is, still a couple of steps away from Registered Land Surveyor.

I started like every other surveyor; we all wanted to work outside. But I found out too late that if you're computer-literate and willing to accept some responsibility, you get chained to a desk and PC and never see the light of day again.

However, I'm an EMT-B and -- just recently -- a certified firefighter, so I hope to start a career in fire service within the next couple of years.

Law student.

Well, flying the Longbow is seldom boring, and recently never boring.

John

Hondo

What kind of OR rate are you guys getting with the Longbows?

I heard they have increased quite a bit since MD bought Hughes..

My heydey was in the 1st Gulf War and they were pretty abysmal at that time...

I was a 67S3P..

Mike

Mike,

I'm not the maintenance officer, just an instructor pilot <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />, but it seems that most of the time we are in the high 80s or better. In fact, it's my impression that Longbows seem to do a little better in the OR game than the A models did. Forgot to add that Boeing bought MD.

John

That's excellent..They were in the low 40's during Desert Storm..

The old line was "It's an excellent aircraft when it works"

They were hauling hanger queens over as parts birds..

Our brigade's 64's were hurting so bad that the only guys getting any time were MTP's the rest were only getting simulator time...Our unit was using their fual and ammo allocations so the brigade didn't lose them..

I was always concerned because 67S's(OH-58D Mechs) became 67R's(AH-64 Mechs) when they hit E-7..

Thanks for the info and for your service!

Mike

Mike,

What unit(s) were you in?

John

Paper route has kept my family fed and clothed for 30 years now.

Dirt farmer.

243 month old post... Interesting...

At least more interesting than most of the new stuff...

In 2003, I was building Dayton Aviation NHS at 16 S Williams in West Dayton Ohio...

What an utter chithole that place/city was...

I was about 39/40...

Been in EMS almost 20 years now.

Retired 2 years ago as a process operator in a Carbon Black Plant . I had the honor to be my Dad’s caregiver till his death in November. Now I’m taking care of my 88 year old mom who only has weeks to live.

Millwright for the last 30 years

Good for you...

Watch out for your own kids... sometimes the passing of a grandparent(s) effects them in ways you may not see.

Holy moly, talk about a blast from the past...

Fixing to turn 40 in june back then.
May 03???
Probably searching and clearing abandoned house,s in affluent.gov and military sunni type areas of Baghdad or putting thermite grenades in the breech mechs of abandoned D30 howitzers around the south and South East areas of the city.
Or getting ready to fly north to Mosul out of Baghdad international.
Or maybe doing presence patrols to prevent anymore looting.
Hung out around a couple of museums in town doing that.
They already had gotten azz,d raped looting wise.
Think it was more of public relations thing for the world to see after the places had been hit and all the antiquities had been stolen.
Baghdad was more of a break for us than anything.
That fight had already been fought by others.
Our schit went down in the south in march and April.
Then up north in Mosul .



Now????

Sitting on my azz waiting on deer season to ramp up and fuuging with those who need it on here.

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

20 years ago, college student and part time this and that MW type work.

Now....factory management, which is about 90% riding a desk pushing paper.

Well, didja ever graduate?

Johns Manville
Batts insulation, Laminate shingle QC

43 years

Magician

When this post started, rolling up the deck of cards in Iraq.

Didn't even know the "Fire" existed.

Now, instructing the next generation of "Aggressive foreign diplomats".

I helped plants grow and killed s hit!

I remember the men who worked out at Carbon Black kept a bunch of beater cars a mile of so outside of town. They'd swap their good cars for a beater then drive it out to the plant. Girl I knew used to live over in Borger near their plant. She said if you hung the diapers out on the clothes line, they'd be black in about a couple hours. Kudos for dudes who worked in one of those places. I spent 34 years in propylene oxide and phthalic anhydride units.

Civil Engineer (transportation) - been transitioning into retirement over the last two years. I'm supposed to be 'on-call' for when they need me, but they don't call anymore. I think maybe I'm officially done...

Pimp.

pointer,

I do whatever Sue tells me to do.

Lab tech 20 yrs ago.
Not anymore.
Diff job and hope to be retired in a few years. Had enough.

IT Project Manager ... Database and ERP systems.

Field service technician injection molding machines.

Retired porn star, it's been a long time coming.

When I first started working there in 87 it was a pretty loose operation. Very little concern for the environment. Black flying everywhere. You definitely didn't want to drive anything nice to work. Over the years the EPA really came down hard on the Carbon Black plants. We had a bathhouse on site and a laundry service so it kept bringing home black to a minimum. They also paid us 1/2 hour overtime every day to shower.

LMAO 🤣🤣🤣

Oh Geez, not this [bleep] again. Isn't there a 134 page thread already on this subject? Oh,wait...COVID.

Go back to page 1 and see how many guys are still regular posters. Pretty cool.

Public Works Director

Hope to retire in two years and go back home and return back to retirement. Need to payoff my daughter’s medical bills from her massive surgery back in March 2022. Her health and quality of life are much better now.

The surgery billed insurance $1.5 million. Her portion should be all paid off by then.

I also am a retired school administrator. I started out as a classroom teacher but moved to administration to pay the bills. Glorified complaint department. Dealing with adults who all remember how it was when they were in elementary school. Most think the student handbook does not apply to their little darling (tho they signed to signify they had received and read a copy). They have no idea how their children behave in front of a peer group. I worked in the Mississippi Delta, Central Mississippi, and Choctaw Tribal Schools. I gained a reputation as a troubleshooter for failing schools. You go in, use common sense, instructional time on task, place your best teachers in the K-3 to give them a foundation in reading and math, control discipline to protect the learning environment. Sometimes it is best to terminate some who refuse to work. If you’re working for an elected superintendent of education, you will be blamed for for making changes and terminations. You will have to move on to another district and things will return to the way they were or worse. Change is wonderful; implementation is hell. Now I spoil grandchildren, make things, and shoot rifles off the patio. Learning to walk again after nearly dying multiple times with the Wahun Flu. No I never took the so called vaccine because there’s no way in hell a drug company can develop and fully test a vaccine in less than a year. It belies common sense. Love my country but don’t trust our government. Y

Used to clean up train wrecks. With occasional forest fire, flood, hurricane, and chemical spill clean ups, too keep it interesting.

Retired. triple dipper. Army , DoD , and now collecting SS.

About the same, union pension, teachers retirement, SS. I’m very fortunate, I build crap to keep busy, make FO money.

wtf? dredging up a 20 year old post to respond with a short, pedestrian answer? Geez

I fish pretty near every day……

I try to guess and then ask what people do for a living almost daily.
If I am in the park hiking, there is a 50% change he is a doctor.
If I am biking on the road, and he is my age, there is a 50% chance he has a law degree.
If I am biking on the road, and he is HALF my age, there is a 50% chance he is in software.

There cannot be such a high concentration of doctors, lawyers, and software engineers.
It must have something to do with who I am asking.

I seldom ask women what they do for a living.
The last two women were; a dietician and a professor at Berkley
Those both came as a shock. Women are harder to guess.

There's a saying "People ask you what you do to determine the amount of respect they'll give you". Not saying that's you - just saying, it's something I've found to be true to a degree.

Well, owner of three commercial insurance agencies in Florida, 52 years and have 42 yeas as an elected public official. Retired in 2017 and sure am happy not to have had to go through the last two class 5 hurricanes in Florida, while still in the industry, very brutal on folks that care and help those that lost all. After Opal and Ivan I had to get psychological help for my staff, they just got overwhelmed with friends that lost everything, plus their very own loss of homes. Lost 60% of the staff after, to burn out.

You're embedded with liberals. What do you expect.

I am currently a gigolo for my wife of 52 years. Albeit, it is more of a comedy show for the most part. I built power lands during my career. MTG

Semi-retired CPA. Work when I want to now. My wife's business took off so I don't work much.

Absolutely nothing since 2015 when I retired.

I'm finishing my body off before I start on my mind.

QA/QC.

Been Rancher for last 14 years, don’t have much free time , but happiest I’ve ever been.

Half retied farmer, I hold down a tractor seat. or combine seat, and lean on a sterring wheel.

Was with a soft drink company for 27 years and ran my own business (indoor tanning equipment/supplies) for 20 years. When my dad passed in 2018 I kept the family farm and now raise Angus beef.

I read this thread and went for a walk the 600 acre park.
I crossed paths with a young man, so I asked him what he did for a living.
He has his own start up, making software for salesmen.
He is from China and speaks Mandarin. He does not speak Cantonese.
So I told him a joke, "My mother in law was a missionary in Japan, and she says two men speaking Cantonese sounds like two dogs barking."
He liked that, but liked money jokes better.

Farmer.

Damnit Sam....thinking about selling the cows......

Fugg.

Jim, sell the calves and keep the cows. Give it one more year.

I retired too young, after a 30 year career in television Advertising.Apparently, 50 is too young to call it quits. Since 2018, I’ve been selling firearms, and I now co-manage one of the busiest Gun Shops in the NorthEast. Apparently, hunting and collecting guns for 40 years turned into an unintended second career. Dealing with the public for going on 6’uears now has strengthened my resolve to be somewhere rural/remote by the time I’m 60. Preferably with a claymore lined driveway :-) (I jest… maybe.

5 more years to go.

Not sure I'm gonna have anything left when the price comes down.


Won't be able to afford to build or replace until then. It's gotta start raining.


Fugg!

Custodian/Janitor

I was a butcher for 40 years, retired.



Went to work on the ranch next door for a few years.
Didn't make a lot of money, but had a lot of fun.







Returned to cutting meat.

Professional singer in the US Navy Band. After that, a museum interpreter at a local S Md Maritime Museum.

Corrections Officer 31 years.

I am a retired deputy Sheriff, 34 years. Now I work on our local proving ground Fed Job, at the fed mail center. I like the job, not very demanding and can even say I am content! I am just treading water until my wife can retire!

Nice pics Sam and Sal...

So, how'd you get your Campfire name?

I am a retired bit jockey of 40+ years.

I have a farm in SW Bracken County where we farm acorns.

Fattie?

I’m a chemical engineer selling process technology, equipment, catalyst and adsorbents into the petroleum refining, midstream natural gas and petrochemicals industries.

EE by trade, Engineering Program Manager now, aka PowerPoint Engineer.

Basically, I herd cats for a living, that being a team of engineers.

Sounds like a ZZ Top song.

36 years in the oilfield. Started out as roughneck and finished as the senior process safety engineer in the GOM. Retired in 2017. These days I play with my granddaughters 2 or 3 times a week, I go fishing (fresh and salt) several times a week. I hunt Hogs and Axis deer several times a year and hunt many days a year with my camera.
Life is good.

I used to be a Salmon fishing fanatic...still am really.

Farm &;heavy equipment operator - subdivision development

Started playing jazz gigs when I was 16. I was originally educated as a field biologist but worked as a professional musician for a number of years after I got my M.S. Then learned how to write code, and worked in IT for 30 years starting as a developer and ended managing teams of analysts and developers.

I've been retired from my IT job for over 10 years but still play music professionally and continue to release recordings. The latest is my 25th as a leader.

I make most people really, really mad for a living.

I worked 30 years in a Tennessee Department of Transportation engineering field office. I built roads and bridges. Two years ago today, I retired. Now, I don’t do anything I don’t want to do.

Folks laughed at me when I went to work there for $859 a month.

Now they are jealous. That “deferred compensation” is very important to a man who looks ahead.

State trooper?
Repo man?
IRS agent?
Divorce lawyer?
Tax collector?
Paternity test administrator?

paper route
mowed lawns [self employed]
Boxed groceries
Janitor
made home foundations
bar tender
designed electronics
wrote proposals for military electronics contracts
program manager
electro magnetic interference consulting engineer [self employed]
baby sit grandkids [no pay]

Farm and ranch hand, trapper, embalmer (SFCMS 73), dentist (U of Wash 81), otrhodontist (90 LLU), Grandpa to 13, present.

Been turning wrenches since I got my "Buddy L " tool box.
Put a couple of tool truck guys' kids through college.

I worked in a tool and die room for 35 years.....
Same place

These days I'm doing the same thing but I'm mobile and work in one of eight different shops every week.

Outstanding!

P.S. I know what you do for a living.

Double Outstanding!

LOL...

Way worse than that...

But he ain't telling (iffing I know Ben like I think I know Ben)...