Poll
Question:
How many years of experience do you have in PMEL?
Option 1: 1 to 4 years
votes: 10
Option 2: 4 to 10 years
votes: 30
Option 3: 10 to 20 years
votes: 40
Option 4: 20 to 40 years
votes: 65
Option 5: 40+ years
votes: 7
I was curious. How many years have the board posters worked in PMEL? I've been at it for about 8 years.
Feel free to give details if you want. :-D
I thought I would reply to this, as a lot of you "younger" guys might get a good laugh. Many moons ago, in the 70s, we could eat and drink while working and I had an ashtray at my bench. I know, that is inconcievable now; but then we had tubes and transistors also. ICs were a new thing that no one had really seen yet. We figured it wouldnt "catch on". LOL And since I never got rich off this work, I am still doing it, since 1971.
Quote from: dallanta on 07-17-2005 -- 08:32:03
I thought I would reply to this, as a lot of you "younger" guys might get a good laugh. Many moons ago, in the 70s, we could eat and drink while working and I had an ashtray at my bench. I know, that is inconcievable now; but then we had tubes and transistors also. ICs were a new thing that no one had really seen yet. We figured it wouldnt "catch on". LOL And since I never got rich off this work, I am still doing it, since 1971.
I think I saw a tube once, but I never thought they were actually real. :-D
I've heard many a story about eating, drinking and smoking at the bench. I kind of wish today's PMEL's were a little less uptight. Of course having a fridge under my bench would probably be bad for my weight. :-)
Quote from: InLikeFlynn on 07-19-2005 -- 17:28:51
I have approximately 15 years, military and civilian. The Civilian market is definitely less anal, the onus for the quality side of the house is on the quality department. Where as in the Military, the tech is held to a bit higher standard! However, the civilian market is a tad scary in that alot of the companies are fly by night. But these years have whizzed by! dallanta, we still eat and drink at our bench! Alright AFMET guys chill, kidding, kidding!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-D
Yeah "Joe's Calibration Emporium" doesn't scream quality. :-D
Better watch out! Those AFMET guys are throwing their coffee mugs at you! :lol:
Quote from: InLikeFlynn on 07-22-2005 -- 20:40:54
I don't mind, as long as they put one of those coins inside! I AIN"T PAYIN' for one!!!!!!!!!!!
Yeah, either that, or "impress" one of the auditors. Apparently it doesn't take much to "impress" them. If you make them think they're dumber than you, they'll give you a coin in a heartbeat. :|
Thanks to everyone that's voted! Everyone else...come on! Vote now! It's anonymous. You're not dating yourself unless you want to. :-D
Woohoo! Got some more votes! It's nice to see some "youngsters" here. :-D Now, if the remaining 319 members were to vote and Post, this place would be more lively. :mrgreen:
I remember once, I had this scope all repaired and just finished calibrating it. My bench was kind a messy, so I set my coffee cup on top. Yep, I knocked it right off, poof, dead scope. one of the tubes must have cooked off, lol. Oh well, I just lit up a smoke and got another cup of coffee.
Quote from: dallanta on 08-05-2005 -- 19:52:32
I remember once, I had this scope all repaired and just finished calibrating it. My bench was kind a messy, so I set my coffee cup on top. Yep, I knocked it right off, poof, dead scope. one of the tubes must have cooked off, lol. Oh well, I just lit up a smoke and got another cup of coffee.
That's funny. :lol: Did you trip a bunch of breakers in the lab? I can imagine all the cursing after the power goes out. :-D
OK, I will post. I am in the Navy (used to be Air Force) I have been in calibration for about 12 years now. Getting ready to retire to the Orlando FL area.
Quote from: bradley563 on 08-11-2005 -- 18:30:34
OK, I will post. I am in the Navy (used to be Air Force) I have been in calibration for about 12 years now. Getting ready to retire to the Orlando FL area.
Hey, thanks for posting. I didn't intend to seem so whiney, but I appreciate your response none the less.
Orlando is a nice place to retire. Unfortunately, the Naval Training Center was closed a little while ago. I think the Navy Exchange is still around. It got torn up pretty badly during the hurricanes last year, but who needs the Exchange when you have Walmart and Target? :-)
Hey the wife and myself will take those little trips to the Air Force base in Melbourne every now and then.
Quote from: bradley563 on 08-12-2005 -- 09:01:06
Hey the wife and myself will take those little trips to the Air Force base in Melbourne every now and then.
I've been to Patrick a few times. It's a decent little base. The humidity makes you hope your car's A/C never breaks. :lol:
The heat will be bearable. With myself being stationed in Norfolk, VA until I retire and my family being in FL. It will be well worth the heat to finally be back with them again.
I've been PMEL since '78, when I cross trained out of SATCOM...retired in '94 and been a contractor for ACC ever since
Mike
Wait a minute, you're not suppose to eat, drink, or smoke on the bench?
...the coffee stains on your calibration procedures makes them harder to read...
Quote from: docbyers on 12-14-2005 -- 07:51:10
...the coffee stains on your calibration procedures makes them harder to read...
That and the Copenhagen dip bottles being spilled in gear...happened to me quite a few times (I'm from NC, were tobacco is a vegatable)
I had a roommate at Ramstein that dipped. We're sitting in the room one night watching a movie, and he's got two Coke cans, one to drink from, and one to spit in. Spit, take a drink, spit, etc... About half-way through the movie, he lost track of which was which... I 'bout died laughing so hard at the awful, pitiful, disgusted expression on his face as he tried to get that taste out of his mouth...
Quote from: docbyers on 12-14-2005 -- 19:37:43
I had a roommate at Ramstein that dipped. We're sitting in the room one night watching a movie, and he's got two Coke cans, one to drink from, and one to spit in. Spit, take a drink, spit, etc... About half-way through the movie, he lost track of which was which... I 'bout died laughing so hard at the awful, pitiful, disgusted expression on his face as he tried to get that taste out of his mouth...
HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!! BEENTHERE, DONE THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :mrgreen:
Wow, there's a lot of experienced people on this board. I'm impressed that anyone can stay in the career field for many years.
Anybody else? Come on...don't be shy! 8-)
I've been doing this since 1976. Holy Alzhiemers... that's 30 years...
Only been doing it since 1969...
Let me pull out my old Texas Instrument SR-10.....hmmm.....2006 - 1974.....looks like about 32 years now. :?
Back in the Day. We would smoke in the temp room on the ship. Great ventilation in there for some reason. :mrgreen: Important safety tip: Dont leave your smokes or what ever next to the intake.
Anybody else care to contribute?
Quote from: cs137 on 02-13-2006 -- 13:04:43
Back in the Day. We would smoke in the temp room on the ship. Great ventilation in there for some reason. :mrgreen: Important safety tip: Dont leave your smokes or what ever next to the intake.
We used to take the diffuser off in the temp room on the Cod.......used to drive Chief Clark crazy :evil:
Ah, Cheif Clark, the man who decided to move the d room into the office and the office into the d room. Turned out pretty nice but he could only play his records while the ship was inport.
Quote from: cs137 on 04-06-2006 -- 13:27:47
Ah, Cheif Clark, the man who decided to move the d room into the office and the office into the d room. Turned out pretty nice but he could only play his records while the ship was inport.
One night about 2am on the last WesPac.....(the one I took for Mason :-o) the Captain walked into the D room cause I had the stero blasting doing rewinds plugs and rings 8-) scared the crap out of me
Got started in 1984, attended and completed Advance Calibration courses at Lowery AFB. Attended Test Instrument Repair School at MCLB Albany, Ga in 1982. Have been employed by several companies, world wide, since leaving the Corps in 1992. Have no plans of stopping any time soon. :-o
10 years 5 months 26 days
Yea I know I'm a noob when it comes to some of you other folks. Its ok, I know when to take a seat and listen in on some good stories.
ok, just because, who is the oldest old *^&& out here? I think it is me. 58 yrs age and 35 yrs pmel
Can you beat that?
Quote from: dallanta on 10-01-2008 -- 14:21:58
ok, just because, who is the oldest old *^&& out here? I think it is me. 58 yrs age and 35 yrs pmel
Can you beat that?
Well you have me beat, 53 years old, 30 years..
But who has the most grandchildren? 7 active and 1 in the
chute :-D
Mike
I voted a while back.... but had to throw my penny in (with the price of gas, can't afford the other cent)
Started in 98 with the Army - just left the Army after finishing a stint at the schoolhouse (digi-suiter and contractor) now I'm at the Army's Primary lab.
So 10 years I reckon?
Just hit 20 years 3 months back. :|
17 years and still going strong
53 years on the earth and 34 in PMEL. And only 1 grandkid so no first place prize for me today.
16 anos, split evenly between phys-d and electronics. :mrgreen:
3 sons, No grandkids. . One son is to young and the others are busy w/ their careers. . 24 years in the field. . next stop. . . wherever the wind blows and money flows.
35 years and 16 in the lab.
Crap, now I feel my "crotchety old fart" coming on...... :evil:
Quote from: dallanta link=topic=213. msg11679#msg11679 date=1222888918
ok, just because, who is the oldest old *^&& out here? I think it is me. 58 yrs age and 35 yrs pmel
Can you beat that?
59 and started PMEL school in '68 (3428th Student Squadron, "A" shift), graduated June, '69. Been at it as reg AF and Civil Service since except for a break of about three weeks after leaving the AF.
So, not counting school time, 39 years. . . . . . . . . .
kid :-D
Quote from: pmel68 on 10-14-2008 -- 13:54:58
Quote from: dallanta link=topic=213. msg11679#msg11679 date=1222888918
ok, just because, who is the oldest old *^&& out here? I think it is me. 58 yrs age and 35 yrs pmel
Can you beat that?
59 and started PMEL school in '68 (3428th Student Squadron, "A" shift), graduated June, '69. Been at it as reg AF and Civil Service since except for a break of about three weeks after leaving the AF.
So, not counting school time, 39 years. . . . . . . . . .
kid :-D
Kind of young aren't you? I actually love working with you old guys. 20 yrs exp. for me and you guys can still teach me something.
I just relocated to Texas - new job at my old lab. I am 51 yrs old and the youngest of the PMEL types. One of the guys is in his mid 70s and ex-AF PMEL. He even used to teach it a LONG time ago. His last name is Barnard. I won't give any more info on him without asking him first. So I would guess he has a little more than 50 years experience. I'll get the scoop (and his permission) and add more later.
The way my investments are dropping I'll probably be working in MY mid 70s too.
:x :x :x
I guess that's one good thing about already being broke. To (probably mis-)quote the old Stevie Wonder song, "...nothing from nothing leaves nothing."
The individual told me he went to PMEL school in 1968. So that makes 40 years experience for him.
Quote from: Hawaii596 link=topic=213. msg11765#msg11765 date=1224509089
The individual told me he went to PMEL school in 1968. So that makes 40 years experience for him.
If he's 70+ and went to school in '68 he must have been one of the last (for a while) cross trainees. When in '68 did he graduate?
1968, hmmm? One of the first first-termers. How do I know. I was already in school there in '67 and there when "it" happened, Jan 68. I remember two instructors in the hall, one saying increduously to the other, "He ASKED me, "What's a resistor?"!" Until then, everyone had 4+ years service, came from an electronics career field, passed an entrance exam and was an E4+. They weren't prepared for extreme novices.
I graduated about 6 months behind the first class of 3ABR324X0's and have worked with a few of 'em over the years. My first assignment was Elmendorf where they were extremely top heavy (any wonder why???) so I worked on the bench with MSgts, Techs, Staffs, Bucks and. . . . . . . . us know nothings :-D
I went through Lowry in '82. Then six and half years in various Marine Corps labs. Since then I, have been doing maintainence (electrical, electronic, mechanical, and hydraulic) with some calibrations on the side. I am now working in the product test lab for a medium sized manufacturing concern. All in all, my PMEL experience has served me well.
I went through Lowry in '80, and spent the rest of my Air Force career at Elmendorf. Four and out for me, and have been working in metrology ever since. Next June it'll be 30 years. Former NCSL committee chairman, current ASTM E20 Temperature Measurement committee member. Calibration has been very very good for me.
I cross-trained into PMEL Apr 89 (Lowry) and retired from active duty in 2008. I went through Phys-D in 91. I've been in a commercial lab since 08 . Including tech school, I've been at it for 20 years. Between Feltwell and Bitburg, I spent 8 of those years in a type 2A lab.
I'm almost at 20 yrs..... :? (Where did the time go???)
I went thru PMEL at Lowery in 1976 and was in for 4 and out of the Marine Air Wing. I've worked in Calibration since then and PMEL training has served me well.
I was at Lowry in '93 and spent 8 years in the lab until I exited the AF. I earned my 7 level before I got out. I was strongest in K3/4. I also did 18 months as QA.
I can say that at one time, my official AFSC was 32430. That should give me some credibility, right?
Graduated Lowry in Feb 90
Left Charleston in Feb 95
Left Kunsan Mar 96
Left Holloman Apr 99
Left Feltwell (Kicking and Screaming) 02
Retired from Shaw 09.
18 years PMEL 32430, 32450, 2P051, 2P071
I call it 20 years and 1 Day active duty, the Air Force calls it 20 years and 1 month.
Quote from: Thraxas on 12-16-2005 -- 18:53:57
Wow, there's a lot of experienced people on this board. I'm impressed that anyone can stay in the career field for many years.
Yeah, I've been in the metrology field since 1984 working in commercial labs in central Florida. Been working at a PMEL in Tennessee since 02/2007.
One occupational hazard is this makes you OCD. :lol:
Just hit my one year mark on Dec 05, 2009, and loving the job. I love working in K3/K4, been grabbing everything that I can learn. Even if I don't stay in for 20 years of service, I'm pretty sure I'll do more then 20 years of PMEL.
I have to say, that after some years of trouble in the career field and being shuffled around a lot, resulting in holes in training, that I may be starting to enjoy (kind of) this job. I've found quite the niche in K1/8 after floundering in K3/4 for years. As long as I can keep my head on straight, I'll be in this job until I retire. I do have to say, I will not be continuing in this job after I retire. I will be moving on to Dental Hygenist, which I plan to start working on next summer.
What would maxed out be at NIST?
As a technician I was at a GS-ZT-IV, and limited to yearly bonuses once I hit the ZT-IV ceiling. It corolated more or less to a mid-range GS-12 back in 1997.
Could you speak in engish everyone is not up on the pay scale in the Goverment. ZT-IV ?
Excuse me, I speak Bureaucrat, mid range GS12 for 2010 would be about 68.5-70.5K, additionally there are Geographic adjustments. Now quit asking questions and get back to work and pay taxes.
I graduated from Lowery in the fall of 1982. Spent 4 years in the Air Force. Since then I have been able to work in various trades. PMEL, was the best thing I have ever done for myself. It gave me an opening to pursue whatever I chose to do. Metrology rules!
I graduated Lowery in '81, and never looked back. After 20 for the Navy, I now work for the Air Force. True story- My first ship, my Division Officer was the Public Affairs Oficer, and volunteered me for her monthly "Home Town News" requirement. The publicity picture that went out with the story showed me at my bench using a Fluke 760A Meter calibrator, with my ashtray (with smoking cigarette), Mountain Dew (Breakfast of Champions!), and package of cookies next to me. My, my, how times have changed!
40 years between Navy , DOD , HP , Agilent , and TestEquity
Graduated the Army basic course at Lowry in 1981 and the Army advance courses in 1985. Had two years of instructor duty at Lowry and got out. Been working in calibration ever since.
Hey Paul.. When where you an instructor at Lowery?