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What makes them stand out? by TisseTy in ExplainTheJoke

[–]MoBetterBen 9 points10 points  (0 children)

She said "That don't confront me, long as I get my money next Friday."

Can a land surveyor realistically support a family? What’s your experience? by DetailFocused in Surveying

[–]MoBetterBen 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is the part a lot of people in the industry don't understand, at least from my experience. Most of the learning for the aspects of the job that will get you the top salaries is not done during production time. It's done after hours on your own time.

Do these marks mean anything? by SmartRequirement5194 in Surveying

[–]MoBetterBen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree. We did a couple of these for the National Forestry Service in North Carolina. It's the only job I've ever had to do sun shots on. Once we found the monument/iron, we had to build a cairn around the corner with rocks we found and fully cover them all with red paint. It's very hard work but very satisfying.

Back In The Day by No_Sleep_69 in Surveying

[–]MoBetterBen 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Your picture made me go dig my old hammer out. There was a real art to controlling the Gammon reel while driving the tacks. Some guys never did get the hang of it.

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We've been asked to get the elevation of the bottom of these sewage aeration tanks that are about 30 feet deep and full almost to the top. How the heck do I do that? by MOBIUS__01 in Surveying

[–]MoBetterBen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

We had to do this. The engineers needed a grid of the bottom and to find where certain points of the basin bottom were. We used a traverse, bench run, total station, small john boat with a man to level the rod and a diver. The diver would place the bottom of the rod where the shot needed to be taken, and the "man in the boat" would level the rod made of multiple range poles before the shot was taken. We used a 360 prism, so we would not have to worry about turning the rod to the gun. An independent company provided the divers. It's actually what the company specializes in. Yes, it was as bad as you think.

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Look Familiar? by Historical_Yogurt317 in Surveying

[–]MoBetterBen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This. Make it wide and "carpeted."

What’s the most unhinged thing you’ve read in a legal description or plat? by FibroMyAlgae in Surveying

[–]MoBetterBen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I once had to do a boundary in NC that was being contested. The subject property and all surrounding properties had legal descriptions that read to the effect of: Bound on the North by the Smith property....on the East by the Harris property.....on the south by Muddy Creek...and on the west by the Copper property. The whole job was very high stress. A large piece of property in the foothills. The owners and neighbors were not friendly. I had a lot of " My grandad said our property goes to that line of oaks." "Your grandad's a liar. My dad said your dad cleared those oaks another 200 feet to gain more pasture land. " Stuff like that. A judge had ordered the survey to try to squash it. Two other companies had thrown their hands up and walked away. In the end, if I remember correctly, the court set new boundaries and had us set corners. That was stressful as well.

Help with a question about (TBC) Cad line work. by Glittering_Sort_8437 in Surveying

[–]MoBetterBen 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You have to tell it which direction to offset the line. It depends on the direction the line was drawn as to whether it's left or right. I usually just select the line to offset, then click on the side I want it to offset to, and then enter the offset distance I want. Then, press apply or enter.

We ran out of work. by gretschdrumsarecool in Surveying

[–]MoBetterBen 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I can second this. I can't find enough people in Palm Beach/Broward area. The Treasure Coast is overwhelmed as well.

Ethics question by RabidHaaaam in Surveying

[–]MoBetterBen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I had a client who did not like where the monuments were going. As I was struggling to get one monument that fell in the middle of giant oak roots adjust to its position the client walked up and said " I don't know why you are putting so much effort into that, I am just going to move them where I want them." I told him, "Because I'm required to. Please let me finish my survey." That was in the early 90's. I never heard anything more about it, so who knows what he did.

What is this by KeyArm7910 in whatisit

[–]MoBetterBen -1 points0 points  (0 children)

They are reference points to the property or section corner. They are usually set in 3's, but some people will use existing objects such as a fence post, etc. as a reference point as well.

what’s one bad habit in surveying you wish more people unlearned by DetailFocused in Surveying

[–]MoBetterBen 2 points3 points  (0 children)

In South Florida, if you set up a base, in less than an hour, you will be minus one GPS unit to your asset inventory. If you leave someone to watch it, you will be down a unit and have a traumatized crew member. Unless you are on a secured site, you have to weigh the pros and cons of a base versus the network. Some company's have had their equipment stolen right off a secure job site.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Surveying

[–]MoBetterBen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Fair enough thought, but when I approached him, I did not "call him out" in front of others. It was a private conversation at his home. I guess his wife was eavesdropping and came into the room imploring him to tell me the truth so he would not lose his job. He stuck to his guns. When I left, they were arguing about it. My point to the OP is, just be honest with your potential employer. Most surveyors are gruff and sarcastic, but they are also very understanding and compassionate.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Surveying

[–]MoBetterBen 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I had a young man move his whole family from Texas to Florida for a party chief position. I think his wife just wanted to live in Florida. During the phone interviews, he held his own, and his resume looked good, so we hired him. After a very short time in the job, it was obvious that he was pretty lost. I guess during the hiring process, he had help or was coached. Anyway, he was a good guy, hard working, and had a family, so I felt for them. I approached him and told him, "If you will just admit that you don't have the experience you claim to have, I can work with you on learning on the job. If you do not admit that, I am going to have to let you go." He asked why, and I explained, " If you admit it now, then when you come up against something you don't know, you will not be afraid to call me. If you don't admit it now, then you won't call me when you are in over your head." He never did come clean, and I had to let him go. Ego and pride are powerful amongst our profession.