I was a survey party chief during construction of the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline. We all worked hard and got along with each other pretty well. But this one crew foreman was kind of a hard a** and got on the bad side of a lot of people.
One day in the middle of the winter after a moderate snowfall, the snow plows were busy pushing the snow off the work pad. Plenty of shusshing and beeping as they worked back and forth. Everything was just kind of business as usual for such a day.
Mr. Hard A** headed for the (special self contained, all "material" combusted, ecology friendly, smells like burning you-know-what) porta john. One of the very alert snow plow operators decided it was time to make a statement. He quietly and without calling undue attention began assembling a large mound of snow near that porta john. Then, after he had what he deemed to be enough for the job, he quietly pushed it right up to the door of the porta john with Mr. Hard A** in it.
When exit time came, first we could hear a bit of pushing and shoving. Then came a fair amount of pounding
Showing posts with label Sag River Stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sag River Stories. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Sag River Stories:
The BIG Road Grader
The BIG road grader gave a loud roar as its huge diesel engine shot tremendous power to the six-foot tall tires and pulled taut the chains that connected it to the truck.
Now, bear in mind, this BIG road grader was sent out to do the job after the “big” road grader couldn’t do it. And what it couldn’t do is what my story is all about.
In 1975-1977 I worked as a surveyor on the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline. I had started as an Instrument Man, the one who was always peering through the tube to make sure the lines were all straight, the angles were correct and the distance was measured. After some time I worked my way up to Party Chief, responsible for an entire survey project and the crew that was to complete it.
Those of you who are familiar with surveying will know that, after the instruments themselves, the survey truck is a very important part of the crew. In this case the truck was a 1974 Chevy Suburban with three rows of seats and stretched a little longer than the typical Suburban. This was a good thing, because
Now, bear in mind, this BIG road grader was sent out to do the job after the “big” road grader couldn’t do it. And what it couldn’t do is what my story is all about.
In 1975-1977 I worked as a surveyor on the Trans-Alaska Oil Pipeline. I had started as an Instrument Man, the one who was always peering through the tube to make sure the lines were all straight, the angles were correct and the distance was measured. After some time I worked my way up to Party Chief, responsible for an entire survey project and the crew that was to complete it.
Those of you who are familiar with surveying will know that, after the instruments themselves, the survey truck is a very important part of the crew. In this case the truck was a 1974 Chevy Suburban with three rows of seats and stretched a little longer than the typical Suburban. This was a good thing, because
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