News about the Merger

[Chicagoman]

United States Infrastructure Corporation

13085 Hamilton Crossing Blvd.

Suite 200

Carmel, IN 46032

Craig Harrell

VP Operations North Region



June 22, 2008





Good morning everyone:



Keeping with our past effort to keep everyone informed of company progress, I wanted to update each of you on where we currently reside. There are several moving parts right now, and everyone in the organization is extremely busy dealing with several challenges that have been presented to us with the merger of CLS and SM&P.



There are currently 97 different technicians in Chicago, from various parts of USIC, helping coordinate the single largest, and most complicated event this industry has ever endured. The 97 different resources represent approximately 90% of our districts throughout the company. These individuals have been utilized to help keep our Chicago Operation current while we train and certify our CLS technicians to locate Gas, Electric and Cable TV. Our local SM&P technicians have been responding on behalf of ATT, helping support the effort as well. This is a new facility for these technicians, and thus far, they have responded very well. In fact, everyone has responded very well. The efforts by so many have been quite impressive yet not surprising. We have some incredible employees within our company. The impact that this integration has had and will continue to have on the entire company is significant, and appreciated.



In addition to the efforts in Chicago, we’re in the midst of migrating two enormous companies into one. We have several employees that are focusing a tremendous amount of time trying to merge these two different cultures into one new culture. As part of the restructuring effort, several processes are underway to help eliminate waste throughout the organization, and invest proportionately into the resources and processes that get the work done. We are ready to roll out a new High Profile policy, as our HP damage hits since the merger of the two companies has been staggering. In Michigan, for instance, we have had 2 damages that are going to cost approximately 700K. We have to re-learn what our jobs as Damage Prevention Specialists really entail. On the SM&P side, we’ve been understaffed in several key markets for the past two years and we’ve made considerable changes and investments to help get the organizational structure correct for our employees, and customers. We’ve added approximately 13 new supervisor and overhead positions within the North Region this past year, all designed to provide the right type of support for our Damage Prevention Specialists. These investments are merely a starting point. Mike Stayton has made it clear that all of our time and efforts should be focused on providing the right systems to help fuel the restructure. We’ve recently implemented a new vehicle policy to offset the never ending increase in fuel costs. Managers are no longer driving inefficient vehicles, and they are personally paying for costs associated with miles that are not business related. This is a significant step. In addition, a new Travel and Entertainment policy has been implemented to help control costs associated with travel expenses. It’s a significant change in methodologies but it’s an important change to help ensure that we have the money necessary to focus on the right areas of cost…our Damage Prevention Specialists. These are difficult times and extraordinary measures are necessary to help right the ship. We’ve always condoned that the most important resources we have in the organization are the ones that actually put the paint on the ground. Efforts are being made to ensure that we maintain that assertion, and have the necessary resources to allow those individuals to flourish in a very difficult market and economy.



In addition, a new focus on employee retention and attrition is being implemented throughout the organization. It’s obvious that we can not meet our objectives if we continue to lose 60% of our employees each year. The initiative will involve a streamlined hiring process, an improved training process (did you know that all trainees will have to go through a four week process going forward, and that we will only graduate the top 70% of our employees), and a commitment to make sure that we don’t lose good employees needlessly. Each district will provide a different plan geared toward improving tenure. Our objective as a company is to get 70% of our locators to have at least 12 months worth of tenure. If we can do that, our results as a company will be phenomenal, our results to our customers will be exceptional, and our company will be stable. Stability in uncertain times is something that should be an objective of every employee in our organization. We need to do all that is possible to retain our employees, and communicate when we see an employee who may be struggling. It’s our responsibility to ensure that we keep and maintain our people and each of us share in that responsibility together.



In addition, we recently put out new organizational changes that are designed to take us through the remainder of 2008. The changes were necessary to get the right people in our most critical leadership positions, all of which are designed to again ensure the proper support is pushed out to the field, that the right leaders are leading and motivating our teams, and that we are setting up an environment for each of you to be successful, so that you may have a long standing career and meet your personal objectives. The streamlining of management resources has allowed us to eliminate several positions, which is really intended to continue to remove un-necessary cost from the organization, for the reasons mentioned above.



We’re proud of the efforts that each of you have made, and will continue to make. 2008 has been wrought with all of the challenges that are expected to both merge and turn around a company. We’re well on our way, and the efforts of each of you are awesome. Thanks for allowing us the time to structure the company successfully.



We will keep you up-to-date on all of our progress, as we continue this journey together. If at any time, we aren’t meeting your expectations, please don’t hesitate to let us know. We will become world class, but it will take some time. Thank you, and please be safe.







Sincerely,



Craig Harrell

[TBONE]

Well well well if it isnt good old Craig Harrell back in the picture :toasted:

[USIC1]

Excellent politcal style speach...

1000 words 50 of which have value...

"This that and the other and we will, can, and shall..."

"Let me be perfectly clear about how, where, and whom..."

I reiterate, implement, implore, alter, associate, emphatically recognize,

precipitize the effectivizing of the initiaion of the certification of the alteration...


and furthermore :blahblah::blahblah::blahblah::blahblah::blahblah: :blahblah::blahblah::blahblah:

let it be written let it be done...."!!!!!!!!

[sprayandpray]

I wonder why this wasn't distributed to the employees down here? I guess the South Region is meeting all expectations!:greenapple:

[USIC1]

I wonder why this wasn't distributed to the employees down here? I guess the South Region is meeting all expectations!:greenapple:


That letter only goes out to the edumacateds which doesnt include

cotton pickas from down south...


:stop: :this:

[LadyLeatherneck]

USIC1: What exactly do you mean by "edumacateds which doesn't include cotton

pickas from down south..."? Please explain that.....

[USIC1]

Well see-ins how the south lost the war and the north dictated policy afterwards they may have figured by keeping the south in the dark through repression it was a given that there was an ongoing lack of intelligence...

Therefore even though its 100 plus years after the war, some in the north at the corporate levels may believe a southerner is nt deserving of a need to know policy and or incapable of comprehending it....

Is this what you were hinting at???

Is that can of worms what you were prying on to open???

Well???

;) :not_ripe:

[sprayandpray]

:stop:Hey, watch it now! I've noticed there are a lot more Yankees moving South than vice-versa. In fact, I have come up with a question that usually puts them in their place when some of them start offering advice on how we need to change things down here;"If you did it so well up North, what are you doing here?" :confused:I never have heard an answer that makes sense.

Seriously, we actually have an edjucatin department down here now and couple of 4 year skools - but a lot of them teach that "pie are square" when everyone knows "pie are round" so, it might be a waste of time and money:happy:

[beyond help]

:stop:Hey, watch it now! I've noticed there are a lot more Yankees moving South than vice-versa. In fact, I have come up with a question that usually puts them in their place when some of them start offering advice on how we need to change things down here;"If you did it so well up North, what are you doing here?" :confused:I never have heard an answer that makes sense.

Seriously, we actually have an edjucatin department down here now and couple of 4 year skools - but a lot of them teach that "pie are square" when everyone knows "pie are round" so, it might be a waste of time and money:happy: I may be from up north, but that was funny.
Now be careful in posting PRIVATE company emails. I believe this issue has made the rounds before.

[undergroundhound49]

I have a helluva lot to say to Mr. Craig and that post of his.
A number one, a locator, and number two one of the old SM&P guys, I take issue with that B.S. he's spouting.
First of all, I will say kudos to USIC for putting the skids on the over the top perks and un-necessary spending by the area managers, both from SM&P and CLS. Talk about a colossal waste of money, those good ol boys take the cake. Big fancy trucks, high dollar motels, unlimited expense accounts that payed for cable TV and internet in their offices and golf games every Wed. All the while these guys were patting themselves on the backs because THEY were making money for the company. They my big fat hairy backside! THEY did nothing but cost the company money and generated zero income. The locators are the bread and butter guys in this business and if the powers that be doubt it, try locating without them. While the muckety mucks were busy sucking up to the area managers, mollycoddling them and spending exorbitant amounts of money on them, the locators int he field were being threatened, abused, intimidated and in general screwed over. You want to know why the company has such a huge turnover, look at management. Threats and intimidation only work for so long and then guys start to fight back.
Stupid threats: "If you have a damage, we take your truck." If you have a damage, you're fired" If you can't manage your time better, we'll find someone who can" If you don't make production, you can't work overtime".
Stayed tuned for more bitching tomorrow.

[USIC1]

These Websters are a dangerous weapon in the hands of a locator-


"mollycoddle"


My land, you must be North of the Mason Dixon to drum that one up!!!


:applause:

[undergroundhound49]

Websters? Apparently, intelligence is a dangerous weapon. Any dummy can spell, and sorry dude, no way am I a Yankee.

[tammanye]

While your out there making changes and training people-how about making the higher up take a week in the field to see what it is the locators (i.e money makers) actually do. Then maybe you would understand why there is such a high turn over rate. Maybe you would understand why staying a day or two ahead of your tickets can be an impossibility.

[yahoo]

most companies have high turnover rates right????? so how can we be different???

[thejoker]

Man that made me laugh....:ylsuper::ylsuper:


Excellent politcal style speach...

1000 words 50 of which have value...

"This that and the other and we will, can, and shall..."

"Let me be perfectly clear about how, where, and whom..."

I reiterate, implement, implore, alter, associate, emphatically recognize,

precipitize the effectivizing of the initiaion of the certification of the alteration...


and furthermore :blahblah::blahblah::blahblah::blahblah::blahblah: :blahblah::blahblah::blahblah:

let it be written let it be done...."!!!!!!!!

[sprayandpray]

I didn't want to post any 'company e-mail' but did everyone in USIC get the new policy on High Profile Locates and the threats of firing someone if the rules aren't followed to the letter? I thought the new company would be improved based on what people said about Mike Staton, but I really don't see any changes from my position(on the bottom).:soapbox:

[shovelhead]

Yep, got that at our meetsite last week. From what I've heard from the new ( CLS ) guys, this is sort of a modified version of their old HP procedures.

Is it just me, or does it look like they raised the bar quite a bit? I know some areas around here that are pretty much impossible to locate according to this new procedure. Nice. Another land mine.

So all in all, this is just "one more thing" for us to do on a daily basis.

And that's about the ONLY thing that's consistent with everything staying the same around here....

[thejoker]

it is much more strict than the last hp policy. This is a knee jerk reacation to all the hp damages. If they look at the damages I would bet that over 80% are from not marking it. For whatever reason. I bet less than 10% of the damages are from not using a second access. But this policy goes to that 10% of damages....Have to use 2 access take pictures of you stuff hooked up at both points....Dont do that and they can fire you.....For guys running the mh areas. They want a 5 way hookup in to holes minimum that = 10 trips in and out of 2 mh. 1 pic up top of mh 1 5 pics of the mh hooked up 1 pic mh 2 5 pics of the hook up and the post locates....:censored::censored: BS

[yahoo]

after reading that ..................how many locates a day do you get??????

[Goldenboy]

For guys running the mh areas. They want a 5 way hookup in to holes minimum that = 10 trips in and out of 2 mh. 1 pic up top of mh 1 5 pics of the mh hooked up 1 pic mh 2 5 pics of the hook up and the post locates....:censored::censored: BS

I have tons of conduit in my area. Most all the main roads have triple conduit runs all separate. So if I get in a mh in an intersection. With the new rules it will be well over 100 times up and down in manholes. It will take 2 days to mark 12 conduit packs coming out of one mh.:stars:

[yahoo]

jim ...........don't see you staying too long with that company.......hahahahhahh ...we'll leave the light on for you here....welcome to louisiana

[Goldenboy]

I'm not going anywhere. They do have good intentions with the rule. I just believe like what was posted above. Most the HP damages are from not marked damages. These rules will just make more not marked damages because we'll be waaaay behind doing 30-40 trips up and down the ladder out of each manhole(not to mention the work comps).

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to see the company pushing quality instead of production like they used to. For the company to put such a big statement out their for HP you can definately tell their intentions, NO HP DAMAGES.

[sprayandpray]

What I don't understand is the 5 point hook-up on each package. I have yet to run into a package that doesn't stay together, whether it was a 3,6 ,9,12 or larger conduit package. Maybe there are some different packages in other areas.

[shovelhead]

What I don't understand is the 5 point hook-up on each package. I have yet to run into a package that doesn't stay together, whether it was a 3,6 ,9,12 or larger conduit package. Maybe there are some different packages in other areas.
Oh that! Come to Chicago Spray, you'll see what's up with the 5 way right quick!

Golden's correct, it's an knee jerk for the past sins of CLS. But he's right about the up / down business as well. There are areas here that you can spend 8-10 hours just doing the manhole routine, nothing else...

[yahoo]

looks like i'll just have to stay on my rural route for now.....i'm not ready for all that stuff.....i'm being honest......

[LadyLeatherneck]

How do we get the sup's to back us up and get us access to the mh's? Every time we ask a sup to get us access to manholes or vaults, we're told, "Tough, find another way!" So if we're not gonna get our sup's to back us up and get us access to mh's and vaults, how are we going to do all this hooking up? So charge the sup's with the damage? So under the table they will be telling us not to worry about the two different points of hookup, until something happens and we'll get hung with it! The higher ups need to have the sup's get a list from the locators of all the vaults and mh's that can't be accessed and make arrangements to have them opened and identified. We want to do our jobs correctly, but we are limited by our sup's instructions. We're damned by the sup's and we're fired by the company. WTF!

[Hurricane9]

As a sup, if I would have told one of my guys that, they would have said "fine, you bring your ass out here do the locate then, cause I am not doing it" I can't imagine telling my guys to find another way. All they have to do is put in the notes of the ticket what the sup said, and if there's a damage, it's documented.

[PowerSweep]

As a sup, if I would have told one of my guys that, they would have said "fine, you bring your ass out here do the locate then, cause I am not doing it" I can't imagine telling my guys to find another way. All they have to do is put in the notes of the ticket what the sup said, and if there's a damage, it's documented.

Send your supervisor an email making the request. I have heard & seen issues with locators putting this in their notes & they never asked for anything. It was just a way to pass the buck to the supervisor without actually doing it. Emails are a way to document that the request actually took place.

[wet_boots101]

Oh geez. Please allow me to step up to the soapbox and...

Look: There are reasons why we should bitch and moan, and for the most part many of us have had our share of poor management and veiled / blatant threats, PIPs, guys who could use a few hours on the treadmill needing to shut the {*} up and pick up some paint again.

Fact is: Your job is what you make it. I am not a big advocate of being a "company man" by any means, but seriously - lighten up a little. WE PAINT DIRT. My first DM told me that, and he was absolutely right. Why make it more serious than that?

SO -- do you care about not getting fired enough that you'll make sure those HP lines are verified somehow? I mean, when you leave a ticket can you be absolutely sure your spider-sense isn't going off and you KNOW you got it all? Just do it. Find the extra five minutes, don't worry about the 20 tickets you have to do next. Focus on the one you're on. IF you're falling behind, and you know it's happening, call your sup and have him re-route some tix. End of story.

I don't know why nobody else gets this, it makes perfect sense to me. And if some jackass supervisor is throwing up all these obstacles in your way, making your job harder, give him hell for it. Maybe I've been lucky this time around, and have had good people above me, but for those of you who don't maybe you should ask yourself "is this worth it?" and if it's not, get out while you're ahead.

As far as the 5 hookup points, what can I say - it happens sometimes. Not all the time, most of you will agree. It makes up for all those easy refreshes you get the rest of the time, right?

Exiting soapbox, shutting up now.

[LadyLeatherneck]

MY TURN NOW!

Look: There are reasons why we should bitch and moan, and for the most part many of us have had our share of poor management and veiled / blatant threats, PIPs, guys who could use a few hours on the treadmill needing to shut the {*} up and pick up some paint again.

RESPONSE: WHEN YOU HAD A SUP LIKE THAT, DID YOU "BITCH AND MOAN"? WHAT'S WRONG WITH TELLING IT LIKE IT IS? IF THE SUP WOULD DO THEIR JOB THE RIGHT WAY, THERE WOULD DEFINITELY BE LESS BITCHING AND MOANING! ARE WE NOT ENTITLED TO HAVE THE MH'S AND VAULTS FOUND AND ARE WE NOT ENTITLED TO HAVE ACCESS TO THEM, ESPECIALLY IF OUR JOBS ARE ON THE LINE IF WE DON'T LOCATE THEM PROPERLY?


Fact is: Your job is what you make it. I am not a big advocate of being a "company man" by any means, but seriously - lighten up a little. WE PAINT DIRT. My first DM told me that, and he was absolutely right. Why make it more serious than that?

SORRY GUYS FOR THE LONG POST!

RESPONSE: FACT IS: YOUR JOB IS NOT ALL ABOUT WHAT YOU MAKE IT. IF IT WAS, NONE OF US WOULD BE ON THIS WEB SITE "BITCHING AND MOANING" ON A DAILY BASIS. GRANTED, SOME OF US HAVE MORE TO BITCH AND MOAN ABOUT THAN OTHERS, BUT AGAIN, THOSE ARE THINGS WE HAVE NO CONTROL OVER, SOMEONE ELSE DOES! SO IF THE TRUTH HITS HOME, SO BE IT!!!!!!!! NOT MY PROBLEM!!!!!!!!!!! WE DO PAINT DIRT! AND OUR PHILOSOPHY IS TO PAINT WHAT YOU CAN WHILE YOU GET PAID! BUT I, FOR ONE THINK DOING YOUR JOB CORRECTLY AND WELL IS JUST AS IMPORTANT AS "PAINTING DIRT". YOU CANNOT POSSIBLY MARK CORRECTLY IF YOU HAVE NO ACCESS TO MH'S! WHAT WOULD BE THE REAL REASON FOR NOT GIVING ACCESS? FIND FAULT WHERE IT ACTUALLY IS! IT IS MORE SERIOUS THAN JUST "PAINTING DIRT!"


SO -- do you care about not getting fired enough that you'll make sure those HP lines are verified somehow? I mean, when you leave a ticket can you be absolutely sure your spider-sense isn't going off and you KNOW you got it all? Just do it. Find the extra five minutes, don't worry about the 20 tickets you have to do next. Focus on the one you're on. IF you're falling behind, and you know it's happening, call your sup and have him re-route some tix. End of story.

RESPONSE: YES I DO CARE ABOUT NOT GETTING FIRED! 1. I LIKE LOCATING. 2. I HAVE A FAMILY TO SUPPORT. 3. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO "FIND ANOTHER WAY" WHEN THERE IS A WAY ALREADY AND SOMEONE IS JUST BEING A JERK BY SAYING "FIND ANOTHER WAY!" WHY CAN'T THEY PROVIDE THE EXISTING WAY? WHAT IS THE REASON? EXTRA 5 MINUTES? HOW MANY MH'S HAVE YOU LOCATED AND WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU SPENT 5 MINUTES TRYING TO FIND ANOTHER WAY TO LOCATE IT? AND WHILE IT WOULD BE NICE TO "NOT WORRY ABOUT THE 20 TICKETS YOU HAVE TO DO NEXT", YOU STILL HAVE YOUR SAME JERK SUPERVISOR TELLING YOU CONSTANTLY TO MAKE PRODUCTION! YOU CAN'T EXPECT TO HAVE BOTH! WE ARE NOT "SPIDERMAN" OUT HERE! WE CAN ONLY DO WHAT WE CAN DO! AND THEN TRY CALLING THIS SAME SUP AND HAVING HIM RE-ROUTE TICKETS ----- PLEASE.....THIS GUY SCREAMS AT YOU IF YOU SAY "GOOD MORNING" TO HIM.


I don't know why nobody else gets this, it makes perfect sense to me. And if some jackass supervisor is throwing up all these obstacles in your way, making your job harder, give him hell for it. Maybe I've been lucky this time around, and have had good people above me, but for those of you who don't maybe you should ask yourself "is this worth it?" and if it's not, get out while you're ahead.

RESPONSE: FRANKLY I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU DON'T GET IT, IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE TO ME! YOU SIMPLY DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN YOU HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES TO FAMILY, AS WELL AS YOURSELF, AND YOU TAKE PRIDE IN YOUR WORK, YOU CAN'T JUST "GIVE HIM HELL FOR IT". I GUESS YOU HAVE BEEN LUCKY, THANK YOUR LUCKY STARS!!!! I'VE BEEN IN THIS BUSINESS SO LONG NOW, TO MAKE A CHANGE WOULD MEAN STARTING OVER AT A VERY LOW SALARY. YOU CAN'T TAKE YOUR LOCATING EXPERIENCE TO ANY OTHER JOB OUT THERE! MAYBE YOU SHOULD ASK YOURSELF A FEW QUESTIONS TOO! LIKE, DO YOU ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT!!!!!!!!
:censored:

[wet_boots101]

Okay, well - here's what I know:

1. You sound really angry at me. STOP SHOUTING- TURN THE CAPS LOCK OFF! We're just talking here. I said ahead of time I was getting on the soapbox, but not to get tomatoes thrown at me.

2. Your supervisor IS a jackass, coming down on you like that. Been there, done that. Try to rid yourself of him.

3. Nothing wrong with telling it like it is. If you are in the deep end of the pool, I guess I'm standing on the steps in the shallow end. I am sorry you are so frustrated with your job.

4. Do you have a manhole hook? A pump? A blower? If you have to go crawling to your supervisor to get into a manhole every time you have a locate there, you made it sound like you weren't provided with these things. Like PowerSweep said, send the request via email to your supervisor. If he doesn't respond and help you, then it is documented. Build a case that you're not getting support, then go to your DM. See #2 above.

4b. Let me clarify something: by saying to verify your locate, I was not agreeing with your sup who said to "find another way." I primarily meant verifying the non-manhole locates, the above-ground stuff. What your supervisor is doing to you is control-freak type krap. I am definitely on YOUR side here.

5. There's no doubt you care about your job and have a family to support. I do, too. Point is: I have had the SAME TYPE of SH*T happen to me not so long ago. I WON'T go into details, some others on this board know EXACTLY what happened to ME. I wish you EVERY OUNCE of extra luck I can spare getting yourself out of this harsh situation. I'm not here to contradict you or anyone else on this board if you have a problem. Fact is, other people are offering you input on how to solve your issues. Do what you will with that advice. If you are certainly stuck and what anyone else says doesn't help, keep looking around and gathering other advice. Nobody likes to see other people getting screwed (unless they deserve it!) I wasn't trying to be flip about our job.

6. Lastly, as far as money goes, one problem at a time. I've got issues with being underpaid as well. And the reason I came back to locating was just what you said, I have all this knowledge I'd be throwing away elsewise.

[frostypeters]

:eek: :icon_redface: :verymad: :toasted: :icon_eek: :kiss: :cry::mad: :popcorn:!!!!!!!

I guess that's all I got to say about that...

[LadyLeatherneck]

OK, sorry Web! I just am so angry that people can get by with the crap they do! This country was built on a system of checks and balances and it seems there are none in this industry. I'm frustrated. Ignorant people such as this supervisor should not be in a position of authority over other people! I guess maybe I broke bad on you when I really want to SQUASH HIS LITTLE HEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Will you forgive me?:angelic::drinks:

[wet_boots101]

Absolutely, no hard feelings at all. Now I gotta get my butt out the door and paint d..... something.

[Hurricane9]

Send your supervisor an email making the request. I have heard & seen issues with locators putting this in their notes & they never asked for anything. It was just a way to pass the buck to the supervisor without actually doing it. Emails are a way to document that the request actually took place.

I had my guys doing that for all unattended backchecks. But if they were on a locate, and called me for help to get in a manhole or something, I usually responded right away, either with myself, or calling another tech to go help. Email is a great way to document those types of situations.

[underground quester]

Just a quick thought everyone in terms of having no where else to go.


Just the other day I had a conversation with one of my favorite contractors regarding them hiring an experienced locator to look over plans, platts, etc to try to determine time requirements for a locate, to meet locators and define dig areas, etc. review and sign the locates afterwards.

They wanted an experienced locator so they would have less problems with undefined work areas, inadequate locate, poor drawings, etc. They also wanted someone who can talk the lingo and know when a locator might be blowing smoke up their butt.

In addition, if a nubee arrives, can give them ideas/assistance for hookups etc.

Had not ever thought about locating from this perspective before.

How about contacting some of your contractors and putting a suggestion forward to them.

Couldn't hurt!

[AULupstate]

Hey if you can find one to hire you go ahead and take it. For the most part at least in my state the contractors expect locating to be done for free. I guess the concept of having a 'Professional Locator' on the payroll isn't worth it to them. They would much rather pay the heafty fines or be tied up in litigation doing the he said he said game. Mismarks, no marks or whatever they seem to love it because 'hey it's free'.
(I've tried using these points to drum up some business, they would rather hit shit than pay for a locate)

[Goldenboy]

Just a quick thought everyone in terms of having no where else to go.


Just the other day I had a conversation with one of my favorite contractors regarding them hiring an experienced locator to look over plans, platts, etc to try to determine time requirements for a locate, to meet locators and define dig areas, etc. review and sign the locates afterwards.

They wanted an experienced locator so they would have less problems with undefined work areas, inadequate locate, poor drawings, etc. They also wanted someone who can talk the lingo and know when a locator might be blowing smoke up their butt.

In addition, if a nubee arrives, can give them ideas/assistance for hookups etc.

Had not ever thought about locating from this perspective before.

How about contacting some of your contractors and putting a suggestion forward to them.

Couldn't hurt!

Pretty much all the drill crews have their own locators now. Most road crews also. They call in their one call tickets but then when trying to pothole something they can hookup and pinpoint it for accuracy and depth.