Look on the bright side

**noOT4me** · January 21st, 2011, 10:50 AM

How about a thread to list postitive aspects of being a locator? Too often prospective locators are coming to this site and seeing nothing but negative attention about our profession. I want to start a list of what everyone likes about their job. I will get it started.

The self pride you get knowing that we are a rare breed. Not everyone can do this job regardless of what you may hear. Knowing that we provide one of the most critical services in the construction/utility industry and protect facilities and lives each and every day instills a sense of pride that you will not get anywhere else.

**Wingfoot** · January 22nd, 2011, 06:38 AM

Hey OT - What a GREAT idea!

1.) Meeting nice people..... The people that work outdoors for a living are great! There is a fraternity of workers in the utility industry. Life long friendships are easily cultivated.

2.) I get to work outdoors all year long.

3.) I start when I want.

4.) I stop when I want.

5.) I work weekends if I want.

6.) I receive great support from my peers when I get in a jam.

7.) I burn someone else's gas driving to and from work.

8.) I use late model locating equipment and vehicles.

9.) Time off when I want/need off.

10.) Paid vacations.

11.) No boss watching over my shoulder when I work.

12.) The satisfaction in knowing I'm the stewart protecting utilities worth millions of dollars that is capable of causing havoc or harm if cut.

13.) The public does appreciate and admires the work I do.

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**Goldenboy** · January 22nd, 2011, 08:40 AM

A list a couple of the things that keep me going.

1. I haven't had an alarm clock in 15 years. I start when I wake up(which is early anyway).

2. I get to work outdoors without anyone looking over my shoulder.

3. I have plenty of experienced people to call if I need help with traffic control or a bad emergency locate.

4. I get a mix of driving and locating and see lots of different areas.

5. I've met alot of good friends that I'll have for life through this job.

6. I enjoy working by myself.

7. I like the "puzzle solving" of complex locating.

8. I like getting new vehicles to drive without having to pay for them.

9. I work unlimited hours in the summer and get a break in the winter.

10. The most gratifying part of the job is walking up to a contractors "pothole" and seeing my marks right on.

**Mke** · January 22nd, 2011, 01:26 PM

Alot of these are going to be real similar, but.... its my list.

1)I have no direct supervision.

2)I have a great mix of 75%field work, and 25% office. (and yes that 25% is usually when its pouring rain)

3)What other job can get me smack dab in the middle of the largest runway on one of the best airports in the US?

4)I get engineers asking my opinion on utility placements

5)I was asked what kind of work truck I wanted. I had to make a list of all the features I wanted, and no where did they say "no".

6)I have two different retirement accounts

7)I can actually take vacations during the summer time.

8)The company just paid all the expenses on a trip to a training class.

9)I'm not tossed from area to area, I work the property my company owns.

I have more positives but that covers a bit of them.

Mke

**Wingfoot** · January 22nd, 2011, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by Mke

5)I was asked what kind of work truck I wanted. I had to make a list of all the features I wanted, and no where did they say "no".

Mke

WoW!

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**1idejim** · January 23rd, 2011, 01:38 AM

Originally Posted by Mke

Alot of these are going to be real similar, but.... its my list.

1)I have no direct supervision.

2)I have a great mix of 75%field work, and 25% office. (and yes that 25% is usually when its pouring rain)

3)What other job can get me smack dab in the middle of the largest runway on one of the best airports in the US?

4)I get engineers asking my opinion on utility placements

5)I was asked what kind of work truck I wanted. I had to make a list of all the features I wanted, and no where did they say "no".

6)I have two different retirement accounts

7)I can actually take vacations during the summer time.

8)The company just paid all the expenses on a trip to a training class.

9)I'm not tossed from area to area, I work the property my company owns.

I have more positives but that covers a bit of them.

Mke

i'm up for adoption

**UULC** · January 23rd, 2011, 05:14 AM

Mke, I want to come work where you work.........

**Mke** · January 23rd, 2011, 12:57 PM

Yeah, All my co-workers find it funny when I refer to the job as "the promise land". I really don't think there is a better place out there.

mke

**locator00566** · January 23rd, 2011, 02:03 PM

You know I 've been trying to think of something good to add, but the company I work for has ruined all that I enjoyed about locating so much that I will be leaving the industry all together. Only 2 more months to go and I'm FREE!!!

**big boots mcghee** · January 23rd, 2011, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by locator00566

You know I 've been trying to think of something good to add, but the company I work for has ruined all that I enjoyed about locating so much that I will be leaving the industry all together. Only 2 more months to go and I'm FREE!!!

While I'm typically the pessimest when it comes to my current employer, I am always thankful that I don't pay for gas for the work truck, so when I do need to search for something positive to keep me going that's usually the first thing that comes to mind.

**phoenix827** · January 24th, 2011, 05:20 AM

Originally Posted by Wingfoot

13.) The public does appreciate and admires the work I do.

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Heck, I would be happy with this OR if I could get more contractors to appreciate the work I do!!
I DO like the job tho, And I have some of the best bosses ever looking out for me!

**noOT4me** · January 27th, 2011, 11:45 AM

I am confident that I will always have a job in this industry. Once you learn the trait and find that you can handle the stress you can retire a locator. There will always be a demand for us regardless of the economy. The only requirements for this are putting in 100% each day, do what you are asked (without complaining), and following the rules. You may have to change the logo on your shirt once in a while but you will still have a means to support your family.

**noOT4me** · January 27th, 2011, 12:12 PM

You have the opporunity to work virtually unlimited OT in the summer months and in most places the chance to take some time off in the winter to regroup. In my neck of the woods no one has ever been forced to work the winters that didn't want to. We have the guys that want to work all year long and the guys that take voluntary layoff. It has always worked out right.

No one looking over you shoulder all day long.

The opportunity to travel and see different parts of the country if you are willing. Maybe even different parts of the world if you are with the right organization.