x mas day trouble calls

[reppy007]

Since its X-mas time, I was was wondering if anyone remembers any calls that you have been sent too.Being that this is the trouble section,there should be a few.I have worked many of holidays,most times if a guy had some kids and a family and wanted to be off,id take his place. Its not that I wanted to be at work,didnt need the overtime,I always thought if i aint made the money by now that peculiar year that I didnt need it on that day.Im amazed that all those years that I worked,that i cant remember too many calls.But one sticks out,while operating a urd van the dispatchers send me to the north side of town.We had computers but they had me call them,to get the order.They stated that there was a neighborhood out and that they didnt know what was what,and wanted me to find out.Some one man or troubleshooter was susposed to have been there ,but the ball was dropped.I was located at my house,it had been a slow x-mas til then.I head that way from the south side of town.An hour later i arrive at the address and talk to these customers,they were outside freezing on x-mas day,bar-b q-ing.They point to this urd pot in the front yard, sayng that the other guy said it was bad.Have any of you had that happen,this is what I mean,theres sometimes a feeling you get when something just isnt right,I call it the bozo feeling,its a feeling where something tells you that a bozo was there before you. So,after finding the feed,and giving it a try all lights are back on.The customers were happy and I was happy,I could go back and continue to f/o for awhile and they could enjoy their x-mas.I dont know how long they were out ,they said all night ,and by then it was 2pm,so you go figure.

[reppy007]

One x-mas the company did the unthinkable,this was even new to us guys.Didnt believe it till i arrived at the cervice center.On the day and night shift they scheduled two one man crews each,now thats saving money,not even a big crew to stand by.Other guys wanted to work the holiday,but were told no.There were guys that went to their relitives homes,doing the x-mas stuff,lots of drinking ,ect.Well this cold front moves in,and with it comes a hard freeze,the whole State of Texas is effected by this.It was the perfect storm for an overtime hog.Only two 1 man trucks,calls coming from the right and left,even from the dam air.Though out this night -mare Id go back to the s/c,and see guys showing up,it was like a slow drip.The company couldnt get many to come in.The lineman knew that when they left their families,that they wouldnt be back anytime soon,so they would not answer the phones.They did get some guys and some contractors finally ,but still way short.Lots of begging on those phones that day.I wound up with well over 24 hrs straight.Before this happening we usually had at least 3 or four 2 man crews and at least 1 large crew on holiday coverage.This time somone really did drop the ball.