Bumper stickers
#41
06-18-2009, 05:27 PM
Grand Champion
I want one!
#42
06-18-2009, 08:52 PM
Well, the problem in the carpenters is they started "selling cards" years ago, which basically meant that anyone with $400 could by a card, and claim themselves as a journeyman.
No need for apprentice school or anything like that, they bought their way in - And most of these characters were relatives/neighbors of union leadership, looking to get their buds in on high paying jobs, with little or no experience.
Most skilled trades, a scam like that would be nearly impossible.
Wouldn't work with the electricians, plumbers, iron workers or riggers - But theres just enough dumb monkey jobs on carpenter crews where guys & gals like this can try to wing it, measuring stuff and driving a few odd nails in here and there.
Painters and laborers, from what I understand, have tried the same scam.
These card buyers are patently obvious on any experienced crew, and they are generally shunned, as they deserve.
Once in an odd while there will be one who is actually qualified, maybe he has been doing framing, decks and garages for years, and decided to take the easy way into union pay ,, But most of them are hazards to themselves and everyone around them, you have to watch them like a hawk, and are fit for only the most menial of tasks.
One time I had 3 of them on a crew of 8.
So I took these 3 guys, I said "I got a hot job for you guys", I took them over to a pile of wood and buckets of screws and nails, handed them a blueprint, and said "Ok guys ,,, Build this".
It was an angled, multi run staircase for access to the top of the structure we were working on, this thing didn't need to be built for weeks, as we had all the access we needed for now with ladders, but these guys were dumbstuck.
Not a 1 of them had the first clue how to proceed, they knew it, and they knew I knew it, but they didn't want to admit it for fear of losing their job.
They marked time for about 2 hours, just setting out lumber and staring at the blueprint before I called them out and said look, you guys are journeyman carpenters, right ? So whats the problem here ?
They had to admit they were not qualified to build this structure, I got right on the phone with the BA and said WTF, why are you sending me these useless grunts to do a mans job ?
I put him in a difficult spot because he knew damn well it would be a matter of time before the head honcho of the GC got involved, so he took two of them back and let me replace them with guys of my choice.
But like I said, most of them got angels looking over their shoulders, so there is usually not much a steward or foreman can do, but put up with it, and wait for a chance where they really screw up, then cut them lose.
The drain on the crews who have to put up with an incompetent pretender working right next to them, and the cost to contractors and companies who pay union scale to someone who should not even be getting minimum wage, can be imagined.
Supposedly, they stopped the practice of selling cards years ago, as they were just too much liability ,,, But the ones who got in, and who keep up on their dues, are still "journeymen", and I would not doubt that cards are still being sold, just not so openly as before.
No need for apprentice school or anything like that, they bought their way in - And most of these characters were relatives/neighbors of union leadership, looking to get their buds in on high paying jobs, with little or no experience.
Most skilled trades, a scam like that would be nearly impossible.
Wouldn't work with the electricians, plumbers, iron workers or riggers - But theres just enough dumb monkey jobs on carpenter crews where guys & gals like this can try to wing it, measuring stuff and driving a few odd nails in here and there.
Painters and laborers, from what I understand, have tried the same scam.
These card buyers are patently obvious on any experienced crew, and they are generally shunned, as they deserve.
Once in an odd while there will be one who is actually qualified, maybe he has been doing framing, decks and garages for years, and decided to take the easy way into union pay ,, But most of them are hazards to themselves and everyone around them, you have to watch them like a hawk, and are fit for only the most menial of tasks.
One time I had 3 of them on a crew of 8.
So I took these 3 guys, I said "I got a hot job for you guys", I took them over to a pile of wood and buckets of screws and nails, handed them a blueprint, and said "Ok guys ,,, Build this".
It was an angled, multi run staircase for access to the top of the structure we were working on, this thing didn't need to be built for weeks, as we had all the access we needed for now with ladders, but these guys were dumbstuck.
Not a 1 of them had the first clue how to proceed, they knew it, and they knew I knew it, but they didn't want to admit it for fear of losing their job.
They marked time for about 2 hours, just setting out lumber and staring at the blueprint before I called them out and said look, you guys are journeyman carpenters, right ? So whats the problem here ?
They had to admit they were not qualified to build this structure, I got right on the phone with the BA and said WTF, why are you sending me these useless grunts to do a mans job ?
I put him in a difficult spot because he knew damn well it would be a matter of time before the head honcho of the GC got involved, so he took two of them back and let me replace them with guys of my choice.
But like I said, most of them got angels looking over their shoulders, so there is usually not much a steward or foreman can do, but put up with it, and wait for a chance where they really screw up, then cut them lose.
The drain on the crews who have to put up with an incompetent pretender working right next to them, and the cost to contractors and companies who pay union scale to someone who should not even be getting minimum wage, can be imagined.
Supposedly, they stopped the practice of selling cards years ago, as they were just too much liability ,,, But the ones who got in, and who keep up on their dues, are still "journeymen", and I would not doubt that cards are still being sold, just not so openly as before.
#43
06-18-2009, 09:27 PM
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: MI USA
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Bottom line, I am appalled by incompetence.
I would never have the gall to go on a job I am not qualified for, and just hope no one raises a fuss about pretending to be a professional, and thereby stealing the work of someone who has paid their dues, and rose up in the ranks the old fashioned, and hard, way.
I am not the most popular guy with some people, because I refuse to play along like a good little boy.
I've been offered bribes to play along, turned em flat down. I've busted alot of *****,,,, And some of these guys could probably arrange for a nasty little accident to happen to me, no question about it - But I'll be damned if I'll sell out my convictions, I'd then be no better than the people I slam as incompetent.
Hey, maybe I should become a politician, a non corrupt guy with old school morals, I'd be rarer than pink do-do **** !
I would never have the gall to go on a job I am not qualified for, and just hope no one raises a fuss about pretending to be a professional, and thereby stealing the work of someone who has paid their dues, and rose up in the ranks the old fashioned, and hard, way.
I am not the most popular guy with some people, because I refuse to play along like a good little boy.
I've been offered bribes to play along, turned em flat down. I've busted alot of *****,,,, And some of these guys could probably arrange for a nasty little accident to happen to me, no question about it - But I'll be damned if I'll sell out my convictions, I'd then be no better than the people I slam as incompetent.
Hey, maybe I should become a politician, a non corrupt guy with old school morals, I'd be rarer than pink do-do **** !
#44
06-19-2009, 06:49 AM
Grand Champion
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Lee County, North Carolina
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my stickers are the frosted looking ones and they've been on there for a few years and are still good. the ram head is a 3rd gen one from the dealer. my g/f knew i had been wanting one for the tailgate for a while and she told her mother to get it for me for x-mas. i'm pretty sure its not cheap either, thats why i hadn't gotten one.
have ya'll seen the tailgate ram emblems on the 09 rams? those things are huge and ugly.
have ya'll seen the tailgate ram emblems on the 09 rams? those things are huge and ugly.
#45
06-19-2009, 10:59 AM
If you did run for office with that attitude, then for sure you would have an accident. Politicians are the dirtiest SOB's on the face of this earth. Don't mess with that.
#46
06-19-2009, 11:35 AM
Champion
#47
06-19-2009, 11:52 AM
Champion
#48
06-21-2009, 08:23 PM
Legend
#49
06-21-2009, 09:07 PM
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Central Michigan
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#50
06-21-2009, 11:33 PM
Record Breaker
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Indiana
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lol, i want to get a sticker that says eatin chevys, ****tin fords, but i don't want my back glass getting shot out (that will happen where i am)