Level of Education

[Hatson]

Grade 12 grade 13 and trade school.

[fartinggurl]

I've got an Associate Degree in Technical Studies. Just graduated with that degree back in May.

[Mahnarch]

However, next year I hope to start the fall semester at Full Sail University in Florida.

I know that campus, well.
Mavin went there and I toured it a few times.

But, with me...where do I begin?

High School Graduate.
Master in Automotive (CC)
Criminal Justice (GVSU) (Never finished)
Master in Aviation (FAA)
I had an Explosives Permit for a bit but, it's expired - as well as a CCW (also expired)

....Driver's School?
Cycle Endorsement.
Chauffeur License.
Commercial Driver's License (CDL-A)
(I almost have to carry two Driver's Licenses to hold all my certificates - just like Phil has to carry two licenses to hold his entire last name)

And the first PhD!!!

Hard Knox PhD.
Mahnarch, Esq.

[Classicblast]

Sometimes I think the school of hard knocks might be the toughest one go get through.

[Mahnarch]

True that.

I've learned more about the law and being dragged through it than I ever learned in a classroom.
Also, I learned more about car repair/engineering in a shop than I ever did in a classroom.

Learning to drive a rig is just something you have to learn by doing.
There is no classroom learning on that.


.....learning about explosives is something you learn more about in class, however.

[Phil]

I said it before if I had it to do over again I probalby should have stayed and gotten a degree.

I don't regret it really, though. I will have 18 permanent years as of October and in may the parent company will have me down for 19 years.

It's a little complicated but in May of 1990 I joined as a summer helper. I woudl put in long days because I wanted the money. I would get home I would be too tired to take a shower and too dirty to go to bed. I was 19 then and had more energy though.

In early September they had a guarenteed spot with a subordinate part of the company and when you're 19 you can't make that kind of money frying hamburgers, delivering pizza washing cars, or pumping gasoline so I took it.

Had I gotten a 4 year degree I might have had 4 years of struggles, and then probably 5 or 6 years of trying jobs until I find a nitch and then had to pay back student loans and such but by age 30 I might have been able to have bigger opportunities than I have now.

Then again, at age 37 some 18.5 years later I look it over and it hasn't been too bad. I got sent on travel work crews in my early years. I saw California for 6 weeks, Tennessee for a month, Texas for 2 months, Oklahoma a month, Florida about 7 weeks.

In 1996 I got married. about a year later we had Jason. Once kids came I got off those travel lists so I no longer do that but as a trade off I'm straight up 3rd shift.

I'm not a rich man, but I have a big house with 4 acres, and 3 beautiful kids, a wife that puts up with my ways, and our bills are paid so maybe it hasn't turned out so bad.

*did I just review my adult life in a lewasite post?*

[Blastgirl]

You don't need to regret anything Phil. You are hard working, you bring your kids up with proper values and you are a very down-to-Earth honest guy.

Who knows? With today's Economy struggling, there's more need for hands-on Industrial workers like yourself than there are for cooperate office people. So you might be in less danger of job problems.

Not knowing how your place operates but I'm under the impression that your job is in no danger at all. (At least as safe as any job is) That might not be the case in a more White Collar situation.

[Mahnarch]

Also, how many railroad dawgs have climbed to VP of the U.S.?.....heh.


Quick railroad question for Phil:

I've noticed in my area that all CSX rail-trucks (the ones that can drive on the rail tracks, if they wanted) have a license plate on the front that says "COS" [which always reminds me of the mathematical algorithms of Sign, Cosign....and the third one that escapes me.]

What does 'COS' mean?

[Phil]

You're thinking of tangent. See, I wasn't bad in trig.

I honestly don't know Mahnarch. I have not noticed the front plate before. I will find out for you though.

[Mahnarch]

TANGENT!!! Ohhh man, am I going to be a hero at work, tomorrow!
Beau and I have been wracking out brains to remember that last one.
We were both thinking that it started with an 'M' - like Sign, Cosign, Mahnarch.......
Not really.


Awesome if you could find out about the plates.
It's bugged me for quite a while, actually.


Updated news: One of our drivers (semi) took down a RR crossing sign the other day - tight corner, heavy traffic, no street lights.

Is that something that you would have to repair, Phil?