What would it take for you to move to Minot ND?

[Freezer]

   Not much snow this year!   The local area is small town middle America.  Plenty of farmers, old folks, and Lutherans.  No mountains to speak of, mostly flat prairie, tons of wildlife.  Hiking is probably restricted to the southwest area of the state (badlands).  You could hike around here, but why would you?  It's flat (did I mention that before?)
   It's a great place to raise kids.  Great schools, little to no crime (we don't lock our doors), and the people are, for the most part, nice.  If you're broke down on the road, it won't take more than several cars before someone stops to help or ask if you need help. 
  If you're a single young guy looking for nightlife, you'll be severly disappointed.  There isn't any.  No place to see concerts near by, closest is Grand Forks at about a 2hr drive in good weather. 
   As a hunter and fisherman, I love it here!  The outdoor opportunities are the icing on the cake for me!  I moved here from the Seattle area 12 years ago and haven't looked back.

[Freezer]

Did I mention 26 bucks an hour?

  We've averaged around 4% a year pay raise, but no promises since this is a "negotiate a new contract" year.  I've got no idea what's going to happen.  But if it's 4% again, that's...(Freezer takes off shoes and socks...) BUCKETS OF CASH!!! 

  Seriously though, it depends on what you're looking for.  This is a good place to work, good people, not much stress (cept the QA is a pain  ). 

[bradley563]

I will be up there in a few weeks, while on the road for my lab.  How is the huntin and fishin?

[Freezer]

  Not much hunting right now, sort of waiting for the Spring Turkey season.  Right now coyotes are about all that anyone is hunting.  I've never been, but it sounds like fun.
   Fishing has been a little slow, but they've been getting a few walleyes, perch, and I've heard of some big northern Pike comming out of lake Sakakawea.  I'll have to try to get out.
  You'll be in Minot?  Drop me an IM, and I'll buy you a beer!  In fact, i'd like to take this opportunity to say that I'll buy a beer for ANY of you if you make it up this way!!!  _{Employees, and some FORMER employees of Minot PMEL not elegible!!.}

[deerhunter]

You said this is a "negotiate a new contract" year, is that a union contract or is the whole PMEL contract up for re-bid?

[Freezer]

   That's the union contract.  I'm not sure when the PMEL contract is up, a few more years I think.  The contract changeovers have been pretty much non-events for most employees.  There was one changeover where we lost one person, that sucked obviously, but other than that, it's just been a change of header on the paycheck.  Everyone, including the manager stayed.  I only mentioned that because there's no way to tell what (if any) raise will get negotiated this time around.  This is our first re-negotiation, so we don't know what to expect, but we've recieved an average of 4%/yr for the past three years.

[Freezer]

   We used to be chained to the AWD as well, but union contract seems to have smoothed out the bumps.
   I remember going from $12.53 up to 17.17 and then to 18 and change.  It was pretty long and dry in between raises.  There seemed to be a lot of variation, and not just based on cost of living.  The guys in South Dakota, were working for a lot less that we were here in Minot, because the AWD stunk down there.  I'm not just talking about a buck or two, more like we were at 19 and they were at 13!  I'm no big union fan, but they were/are usefull in situations like that. 
   

[clacoste]

I'm surprised you'd have any problem getting people up there.  Haven't been in the area for many years, but it is very nice.  Plenty of stunning scenery, fishing, etc within weekend range.. And the salary is pretty reasonable...

It beats about 95% of the locations I've seen...

[mrrob007]

When they get to my current salary, then we will talk. 

[Freezer]

   Oddly enough, it's usually not about the money. But that's good, we can use that during our next union negotiation!  "We need more money to recruit and maintain good people."

    Minot gets a bad rap, and has for a long time, because of the climate and the fact that it's a little remote.  I remember making fun of a guy who got orders to Minot 20 years ago.  I'd never been here, but somehow I knew it was a bad place to be stationed, poor sap.  Of course, I was dead wrong!
   I'm thinking $26.01 is pretty competative, from what I've heard, but maybe it'll take more. 

[NRA4Life]

I guess I'm a little confused Flynn, I have read your positive postings trying to attract technicians to Georgia and what a great place it is to work, yet I see you are ready to bolt to Minot as soon as your lease is up in August.  If it is such a cohesive operating unit there in Georgia, why do you want to leave?

[Freezer]

SHHHH, I'm reelin' one in....

For the right tech, many things are possible I'm told, but I'm not the one who makes those deals.  We can be reached at DSN 453-4030, or 701-723-4030.

[docbyers]

Freezer and Flynn together...

The mind reels at the possibilities...!

[Freezer]

They posted the official job announcement!

I think they posted it on PMEL.org and on the Yulista web site.  I would encourage ANYONE (even InLikeFlynn) to call and talk to us!  I am convinced that many things are possible, even with leases.  I'm not making promises, I'm just sayin'...   Many things are possible for the right technician.  We're advertising for a K6 tech, but that's pretty flexible too. 

Don't wait!  Call Today!!!  Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity!!!  I'm begging here
Commercial: 701-723-4030 or 3223
DSN:   453-4030 or 3223

[MIRCS]

Boy I bet it would make Bill do a few flips if I applied............................Hmmm, 4 years at Moody working the contract and in K6 at that...................but unless something very unforseen happens, I'm just fine here in NC.