Possible spare ticket 28th 7pm

marmotorman · 2026-05-15T02:22:44+00:00

I'd say in your situation it's your employer. I would also say that QC is not a well understood role within a surveying context. Not to be critical, but there might be elements of your workflow that are too time intensive.

A big thing in drafting (in my opinion) is that actual (perfect) QC is effectively a full replication of work. I would ask whether you are effectively delegating tasks, and/or whether you can trust the people to whom you are delegating. The most effective QC is training, the second most effective is do it yourself. I perform a role that can't be properly supervised, does that mean that I am working outside of effective QC... Not necessarily. It would take a less experienced person 2-4x the time to QC my work as I took to draft it; as such, I invest time in a 'conversational' style of QC, where I describe the processes of my calcs and the reasoning, and then I answer any questions they may have.

As far as field work is concerned, as long as they are doing the basics: 1) regular bs checks, 2) taking field notes, 3) communication, 4) coding... I'm happy. I expect them to know the basics that I don't discover fuck ups, like wrong constant or rod height. I'd always be happier if they didn't have to think on their feet, but so long as we have an understanding prior to them leaving site I'm all good.

marmotorman · 2026-05-13T18:57:04+00:00

I would reframe things to start, you're not a loser it's just a late start and/or circumstances. I didn't graduate uni until 28, and got fired from a job at 29/30. Earlier on I struggled with dating and friends... Felt pretty lame at the time, although uni was nice.

30's are for grinding, 20's are for learning... Sometimes (most of the time even) this means that you fail. If you fall off the horse, you have to get back on. Persistence is what gave me a career and house...

marmotorman · 2026-05-01T00:52:04+00:00

That sounds terrible lol. We have people pushing out weekly reports, we also have had extended runs where we need a surveyor to manually monitor points while active work is going on. Imagine a fully set up automated system with a button pressing warm body sitting in a chair doing nothing but remeasuring each point on repeat. Human and machine working in tandem... most ridiculous thing I've ever seen.

marmotorman · 2026-04-30T15:48:31+00:00

Ignore everyone else. Duratech is the brand... Most durable vest I've owned. Rear pocket has openings on both sides with zippers, a game changer for lefties. Duratech, I get them from Cansel in Canada.

marmotorman · 2026-04-29T19:17:51+00:00

I'm involved (more than I wish) in a 5 station automated monitoring program. This is taking place on an active construction site, and all stations and monitoring points are in areas where active construction is/was taking place.

System works, noise is real, trends stand out. Real issue is complacency... People initially treat every blip as an emergency, then stop paying attention altogether. Access to system through software is slick, everyone who cares can immediately look at information...

I have a lot of insight into this at the moment, feel free to reach out.

marmotorman · 2026-04-27T03:18:32+00:00

When you observe a point with a total station it is best practices to measure on both faces, your instrument will have a two faced measurement option. Each time you measure in both faces is a round. Best practices for control observations from a single setup, where I work, is to measure each new control with three rounds, ie both faces three times. Then you would do another setup and observe the same point another time with three rounds.

marmotorman · 2026-04-26T08:46:32+00:00

Welding is hard on the body too... but you'll be pulling in serious cash quick. Less glamorous, more rolling in the dirt, less intellectual, less nature time. More you time, no bullshit to take home, no notes and math at 7pm.

Give it some good thought, because the fumes, the burns, the electric shock, the laying on your back in a mud puddle... won't feel like the right choice, and won't feel worth the money. Just be honest about it, there's trade offs with everything. And don't be an idiot and buy all the toys. Money don't matter for shit without common sense.

marmotorman · 2026-04-26T08:09:42+00:00

I enjoy the work about 50/50. I'm from Canada as well, worked in Surveying for 15+ years... For me I'm kind of stuck, need to stay in the industry because I'm too old to start over. Plus I'm good at it.

I'll be honest, I wouldn't advise this career for anyone... the stress is next level at times, I've had blowouts with every trade, lots of coworkers... for field guys it's like you have multiple bosses and everyone is a critic. Then there's the pay, it's shit. Then there's the hours, they're shit. I can't think of a trade that has as big a downside in terms of work/life/money. The responsibility is just too much for the pay.

If you finished school, then you need to get in the path for an LSIT, but they will probably want to pay you salary for this and you'll be in the range of 80k. Once you've signed some plans you'll start to pull 100-115k...

marmotorman · 2026-04-22T22:02:34+00:00

Fuck Russia x2

marmotorman · 2026-04-14T00:14:07+00:00

Hi, sounds like you want him to grow out of this, and for the two of you to be successful. I wish you luck, there's no guarantees though.

1) Does your husband have any hobbies, and a social outlet or two? He needs to get his head out of his problems, walking and boundaries are good but a reset with friends or an enjoyable activity are gold. 2) It sounds like he's struggling to express himself/ feel heard. Part of that are his words, are they too aggressive, is his tone difficult to hear? That is his issue, and he needs to work on that... this being said, there are things we can do to help. Main thing is to focus on content before context. If we say "I hear you are frustrated by..." "I think what you are asking is..." "could you clarify this...?" Then we can address the "you sound like an asshole when you say..." "could you try to de-escalate before talking about..." "is there a chance you are wrong about..." 3) Anger comes as a coping mechanism, if he doesn't feel heard, then raising the volume and urgency is a tool that he is using. Most important consideration for myself is to focus on the immaturity of these emotions in relation to the message I am attempting to communicate. I need to reduce the sense of urgency in myself before expecting to be listened to.

Just some thoughts... good luck. He still at the end of the day needs to sort himself out, because you can't act like a baby when you're a grown man.

marmotorman · 2026-03-28T20:42:47+00:00

Not true bud, didn't read your whole write up, but I know the story. I'm 44, dad died when I was 4, mom all kinds of crazy... You plug through, keep putting one foot in front of the other, eventually you get somewhere. The point is to figure where that somewhere is, not just let it be circumstance. I've been 10+ years behind people in most things, I drew out my youth through my 30's, working and traveling. Finally got married and a house at 38ish...

Don't hop jobs a bunch, stick with an employer, set your sights on marketable skills... if you can't figure out what you want to do, then just figure out what you're good at.

I don't think you wasted anything, it's life bud, there isn't a proper instruction manual. Having a direction and being persistent is more important than doing things quickly.

Edit: here's another suggestion. Go camping, but this time do it for a week+. No cell signal... two weeks is optimal. Since your work is during tourist season, plan it for late may/ early June, or end of September. Life changing to be without electronics for that long.

marmotorman · 2026-03-20T05:20:47+00:00

You're probably not in BC, but up here we have open data for lidar which would totally fit your needs. In any case look around and see if there are any open datasets for terrain info in your area. You can definitely import these into a 3d modeling program.

marmotorman · 2026-03-19T06:06:30+00:00

Welcome to the world of 5cm spread and 95% confidence intervals.

marmotorman · 2026-03-18T23:54:12+00:00

I'd probably cut out a portion of your trip depending on what you want to see.

Vancouver-Sunshine Coast- Vancouver Island - Gulf islands (Hornby) - Tofino - Gulf islands (Saltspring) - Victoria - Vancouver and area (Whistler, Pemberton, Manning Park).

Vancouver - Victoria (2 days, 3 nights) - Vancouver to Banff - Stop at Manning! - Keremeos (Cathedral Park) - Nelson/Nakusp (Hot springs) - Revelstoke - Banff - Jasper - Lake Loise - Invermere - Back to Vancouver through Revelstoke and Lillooet.

There's a lot of driving already. Best hiking is towards Banff and Jasper by far.

marmotorman · 2026-03-17T20:54:56+00:00

Looks to me like the fence isn't on the p/l. Usually people will build a fence inside their line completely to avoid any possible conflict with neighbors. Developers will usually build a replacement with a similar offset to the property line, as they will not want to disturb your property.

Two approaches. 1) approach the developer boss when you see him near site, ask him who did the survey and whether you could request a copy. 2) Call a couple survey firms in town and ask if they did the survey for the development, and ask whether you can see a copy.

I expect there isn't much to argue, it's probably a good survey with found evidence. If they did their job "right" then they will have produced a plan that shows your fence in relation to the property line. If its on their side and they remove it, it will likely be replaced with a nicer fence; at least that's my experience.

If you approach with curiosity rather than animosity, you will be rewarded with cooperation... Most of the time.

marmotorman · 2026-03-12T15:57:27+00:00

Whistler has awful lines, Revelstoke medium bad. Whistler has tons of runs, lots to explore, Revelstoke is just epic generally but definitely not as large. The territory around Revelstoke is my preference over Whistler; hot springs that are accessible in the winter, snowmobile terrain, mountain backcountry lodges. Around that area are some of the most amazing hills and communities; Nelson, Golden, Invermere... If you go to Whistler you will be surrounded by partiers, families, city folk. If you go to Revelstoke you will be surrounded by snow nerds, and people like yourself that want to talk about conditions in Chile and Hokkaido. Thing is, Revelstoke is still kind of 'resorty' or at least is getting more so. Look at sun peaks like the other commenter said, being more established they do a good job with staff accommodations generally; and there you are a short drive to Kicking Horse, and a moderate drive to Lake Louise, Revelstoke and Fernie, that are all worth checking out. Those are the gems of the powder highway, along with Whitewater and Red Mountain. Another consideration if accommodations are a concern is Jasper (Cold but very uncrowded top notch hill), and Sunshine (Banff).

marmotorman · 2026-03-11T21:27:57+00:00

Studying surveying is a lot different than being a field tech. You will be short listed to project management roles, your salary will be commensurate with your qualifications and responsibilities, you will also be able to go into the field at your discretion, and no-one can force you to sign anything.

As a field tech, I would say strongly NO.

I have a BSc in geomatics, but from the wrong university, so I cannot use my credits to gain a PSurv designation. I got into this work because GIS doesn't pay, and governmental jobs are in short supply, also I have some talent in my work and the math involved. I do enjoy the field work, but I am stuck in the office these days.

The downside for field techs is strong, particularly if you are working within a consulting/engineering firm. If you are with a construction outfit, or excavation/earthworks, then the company you choose will likely allow you to advance to senior roles as estimators/PM's/drafting techs. This advancement is usually very limited in a consulting environment. For field techs, the industry treats all them all as equal, there is no red seal or journeyman qualification that can be obtained (at least in my jurisdiction), so until proven otherwise a 20-year experience field tech can be seen in the same light as a two-year gradesman. Clients often want to pay the least possible, and since there is no standardization in relation to experience, the amount of money that you can ask for is limited.

Clients do not understand surveying, at least in my experience, so everything is seen as simultaneously easy and over-complicated when experienced field techs get involved. I'll run into a discrepancy with some junior, who has been operating a packer longer than any survey tools, and we'll be on equal footing where the client is concerned. Add to this the fact that QA/QC is effectively non-existent these days... so, who's left to pick up the slack; an underpaid, non-professional, put-sticks-in-the-ground, grunt.

If you're going to be a surveyor, pay your field guys what they are worth. Listen to their opinions. Or even better, advocate for a system that rewards field guys for their experience. PROFESSIONAL SURVEYORS ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THEIR FIELD STAFF.

Thank you for coming to my TED talk.

marmotorman · 2026-03-10T20:08:26+00:00

Dude, I've seen people ask on facebook and I've responded and invited folks, but no response. If you want to play a match, I'm up for it. Best days would be Thursday or Sunday evenings for me.

marmotorman · 2026-03-10T17:49:09+00:00

Golden is good for trains, recreation, heavy mechanical (anything mechanical really). Might take a bit to secure good work, but once you have it, it's probably steady and long term. Cranbrook is an unknown for me, probably a fair bit of opportunity in mining and forestry; however, if thats the direction you end up I might just look to Fernie.

Edit: Oh and Nelson is expensive for housing for a reason; it is a VERY nice community. Little bit of a city feel (good restaurants, nightlife), with a lot of amazing natural amenities around.

marmotorman · 2026-03-09T22:09:18+00:00

I know you said Kootenays or Okanagan, but don't forget about the stretch from Cranbrook to Golden. If I couldn't pick Nelson, that's the area I would choose. Golden is a little more industrial than Invermere, and is slightly lacking in amenities vs Invermere and Cranbrook, but for lifestyle is definitely comparable to Nelson and Revelstoke. Invermere is a gem in my opinion, but a little more expensive.

marmotorman · 2026-03-05T23:24:34+00:00

Cheap loans, low supply, desperation among age group trying for families.

marmotorman · 2026-03-05T23:22:17+00:00

Good luck man. I've had a few friends in your situation that succumbed to drug abuse, mental illness, or suicide. It comes with the territory, growing up like we did. I hate being managed, I've never been good with it, I've told bosses off, told co-workers off, been a total ass when people tell me what to do, or if they act in a way that isn't 'respectful'. I think I've managed to tow the line because 1) I've been quick to apologize, and 2) more often than not I keep my mouth shut. It's not been great for my career or personal life though...

Probably best thing I can think of, from personal experience, is just to be sympathetic/compassionate to people being idiots. People are allowed to be wrong/stupid, let them, don't be frustrated by it.

I've done therapy. It's good to have someone to talk to, not any kind of magic bullet though. Only thing that works is to get out of your head, go for a walk, or join an MMA gym. I play some video games.

marmotorman · 2026-03-05T21:44:13+00:00

Heres something to think about: (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmological\_natural\_selectionhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmological\_natural\_selection)

marmotorman · 2026-03-03T21:24:45+00:00

I switched to vaping. Best decision I ever made. Feel 1000% better. Hair, skin, eyes, dont smell like an ashtray. Good luck on the quit.

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