If you could change one thing...

**MOJO** · November 9th, 2009, 04:10 PM

There are a lot of passionate, quality-driven locators subscribed to this site. And I know that the vast majority of you like your job but dis-like the surrounding circumstances (ie. vendictive mgmt, poor equipment, low pay, etc).

So, my question is:

If you had the authority to change just one thing about your work environment, what would it be and why?

Note to self: I'm sure this elicit some "interesting" responses.

**ifinditunderground** · November 9th, 2009, 04:47 PM

I would hire many "10 or 11" swimsuit and lingerie models to work for me.

**Dave72** · November 9th, 2009, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by ifinditunderground

I would hire many "10 or 11" swimsuit and lingerie models to work for me.

I dont suppose you're gonna give them spray sticks are ya..

**HighVoltage** · November 9th, 2009, 07:17 PM

eliminate the word " entire " from all locate requests

**yahoo** · November 9th, 2009, 07:39 PM

take big brother out of the trucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**beyond help** · November 9th, 2009, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by yahoo

take big brother out of the trucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree if you take the words "of the trucks" in yahoo's response.

**GPGrasshopper** · November 10th, 2009, 12:19 AM

Brand new (or at least good) equipment. Let the locator pick what he uses (one size does not fit all), and replace with updated units every few years.
Work trucks should all be Hummers and I am in full support of Ifindit's plan as well.

**ifinditunderground** · November 10th, 2009, 09:45 AM

It would probably be tough to get good quality work on time.......but the contractors would be my best friend.

**MOJO** · November 10th, 2009, 11:32 AM

Ok Ok...I'm with you on the Playmates for new hires.

So...I heard Yahoo suggest "take big brother out of the trucks". If you do that, how do you ensure everyone is putting in an honest day's work? When I was in the industry, we didn't have gps; a fact that was frequently abused. Of course, that was when locators could work their tales off in the morning, and then goof off the rest of the day. The ticket management systems help monitor that, but it can still be manipulated.

HighVoltage mentioned altering the language on locate requests. Sorry...that's not going to be something you can prevent. It will only improve with contractor education. Is there anyone in your local office that goes out and presents to the contractor/municipality groups???

I think GPGrasshopper may be on to something. Although, continual replacement of equipment may be out of the question....at least, frequent calibration and parts replacement should suffice. As for the techs choosing the type of equipment they use...Great Idea!!!

I started this thread because, as a manager, I always thought the field techs should have a voice. On a monthly basis, I would pull several techs from the field to particapate in a 2-3 hour roundtable discussion. The participants changed each time, and I always provided lunch. During these discussion, we would mull over topics just like this. Hopefully the right people are reading this thread and they can take something useful away from your suggestions!

**LocatorsWife** · November 10th, 2009, 02:45 PM

Ok so yes I am girl, and yes I'm commenting on this post. I am a Locators Wife. Mu hubby has worked for SMP/USIC for 10 years and we have seen and heard alot of things.

Top 5 things that could change about a locator's job:

#5 Bigger trucks, have you ever driven past a locator and his nose is stuck to the windshield? Come on guys, not everyone is a size small.

#4 Better support from management when dealing with jack ass contractors. You want your guys to feel appreciated, stick up for them.

#3 Bring back the bonus program! People work harder and quality is better when there is a reward other than the normal paycheck.

#2 You have to work the weekend but you can't have OT? Ok, this one is common sense. I know that there are budget cuts, but geez...............

#1 Realize that less is not more. Stop taking guys out of the field when there is still a ton of tickets in the area. Worse, don't tell a locator that they have to have 20 tickets done in 8 hours. Fine, it works if you have 2 way locates for 100 feet on the same block! What about those 4 way locates that go for 2000 feet and you have 6 crews that each have a ticket???? Quality goes right out the window when you expect one guy to cover 2 areas and the above is his expectation. You wonder why there are damages. Oh yes, I know you will say, well he/she should ask for help, ummmmm yea, have you ever tried to get any help on a locate? Locator #1 to Locator #2 "Yea, do you think you have time to come down here and help me with this ticket?" Locatore #2 "I have 7 crews I still need to get to today and I have 10 tickets due in the am, so no I don't have time."
Enough said.

**ifinditunderground** · November 10th, 2009, 03:48 PM

Originally Posted by LocatorsWife

Ok so yes I am girl, and yes I'm commenting on this post. I am a Locators Wife. Mu hubby has worked for SMP/USIC for 10 years and we have seen and heard alot of things.

Top 5 things that could change about a locator's job:

#5 Bigger trucks, have you ever driven past a locator and his nose is stuck to the windshield? Come on guys, not everyone is a size small.

#4 Better support from management when dealing with jack ass contractors. You want your guys to feel appreciated, stick up for them.

#3 Bring back the bonus program! People work harder and quality is better when there is a reward other than the normal paycheck.

#2 You have to work the weekend but you can't have OT? Ok, this one is common sense. I know that there are budget cuts, but geez...............

#1 Realize that less is not more. Stop taking guys out of the field when there is still a ton of tickets in the area. Worse, don't tell a locator that they have to have 20 tickets done in 8 hours. Fine, it works if you have 2 way locates for 100 feet on the same block! What about those 4 way locates that go for 2000 feet and you have 6 crews that each have a ticket???? Quality goes right out the window when you expect one guy to cover 2 areas and the above is his expectation. You wonder why there are damages. Oh yes, I know you will say, well he/she should ask for help, ummmmm yea, have you ever tried to get any help on a locate? Locator #1 to Locator #2 "Yea, do you think you have time to come down here and help me with this ticket?" Locatore #2 "I have 7 crews I still need to get to today and I have 10 tickets due in the am, so no I don't have time."
Enough said.

All very legitimate concerns and complaints, now back to the good looking girls in hardhats.

**locator_smbk** · November 10th, 2009, 05:32 PM

Not to be a smart ass, but the one thing I would change....

Not getting in the contract locating business to start with. I should've picked another field to go into....

**Goldenboy** · November 10th, 2009, 05:54 PM

I must agree on the bigger truck issue. It is amazing what they expect us to fit into these small trucks. I'm guessing with all the paint,flags, and equiptment we carry that we are probably overloading the small trucks.

I would also have to say respect from contractors. It is amazing how many contractors think the reciever is a magical wand. I don't know how many times I've heard "Well can't you just swing that thing over here and tell me where that private line is". The answer is no. I'd have to go and hook up to it and I'm not responsible for it.

**yahoo** · November 10th, 2009, 06:43 PM

Originally Posted by ifinditunderground

All very legitimate concerns and complaints, now back to the good looking girls in hardhats.

IFINDIT.....i have one word for you...................NICE!!!! i want to come work for you....hahhahahahahahhhah

**yahoo** · November 10th, 2009, 06:46 PM

Originally Posted by MOJO

Ok Ok...I'm with you on the Playmates for new hires.

So...I heard Yahoo suggest "take big brother out of the trucks". If you do that, how do you ensure everyone is putting in an honest day's work? When I was in the industry, we didn't have gps; a fact that was frequently abused. Of course, that was when locators could work their tales off in the morning, and then goof off the rest of the day. The ticket management systems help monitor that, but it can still be manipulated.

HighVoltage mentioned altering the language on locate requests. Sorry...that's not going to be something you can prevent. It will only improve with contractor education. Is there anyone in your local office that goes out and presents to the contractor/municipality groups???

I think GPGrasshopper may be on to something. Although, continual replacement of equipment may be out of the question....at least, frequent calibration and parts replacement should suffice. As for the techs choosing the type of equipment they use...Great Idea!!!

I started this thread because, as a manager, I always thought the field techs should have a voice. On a monthly basis, I would pull several techs from the field to particapate in a 2-3 hour roundtable discussion. The participants changed each time, and I always provided lunch. During these discussion, we would mull over topics just like this. Hopefully the right people are reading this thread and they can take something useful away from your suggestions!

there is a way to get an honest day's pay out of any employee....and it's no secret....... it's called FIRED and YOU"RE HIRED!!!!! it works well!!!