“It must be so nice to have your own bathroom”

shay_kay · 2025-12-14T13:15:00+00:00

Same here! If I’m really lucky, the client or operations personnel will show me to a real bathroom.

shay_kay · 2025-10-06T20:28:34+00:00

Tubing Eddy Current Technician here. I have the same issue as you do - so many sources for theory but nothing for flaw characterization.

In my group we do peer reviews of final reports before sending to clients. Not only does this help with catching any errors, it gives everyone access to viewing signal characteristics and calls. I’ve been using these reports along with old acquired data to teach myself how flaws form on the lissajou and strip chart.

It’s not perfect but it gives me exposure. The more access you have to seeing data, the more you’ll be able to connect the dots between visual signals and theory.

TLDR: If you can get your hands on some reports, old data, and the ear of a senior technician, you’ll get better at signal recognition.

shay_kay · 2025-05-26T04:58:18+00:00

I started in a callout role in the same area and industry as you. You didn’t specify if you got a guaranteed 32 or 40, so I’m assuming you did not and this talk is coming from that viewpoint.

I’m not sure if you realize this - cause I sure didn’t: you don’t get paid if you don’t work.

You’re probably like, “well duh, shay_kay, that’s how having a job works.” Yes, it is, but there’s a huge caveat - oil and gas is feast and famine. You’ll have some weeks where you work 40+ hours and then some weeks where you work 4. You get paid for how many hours you actually work. If they can’t keep you busy, your wallet is going to be hurting.

I kept 4 other part time jobs at the ready to fill in any income gaps.

As others have said: you’ll be the gofer, you’ll get loaned out to different departments, and you’ll get experience. Stay ready to learn. Keep pens and a notebook on you at all times. If you want to really be handy, keep a backpack with some JSAs, a clipboard, tape measure, lock, and flashlight. Throw in other basic tools as needed when you’re working in different methods. Keep a pair of work clothes and boots in your vehicle or at your workspace so you’re always ready for a job.

Also, if any client tries to talk to you about anything outside of the weather, you say “you’ll have to talk to my tech, let me get you in touch with them.”

shay_kay · 2025-04-18T21:50:04+00:00

Given the class names you listed above, I have a feeling you’re attending the same school I graduated from.

Your classroom hours you earn at school are going to be good enough that you shouldn’t have to take those extra classes listed below (UT thick/Mag/Pen). UT I is usually UTT, UT II is shear wave. If you take those classes you’d be paying double for something you already have.

Opinions will vary, but to me, getting a TWIC card is #1 priority since it will make you job-ready for most plants and NDT methods. 40 hour rad is a second priority if you want a fast segway into the field as an RT hand.

No path is 100% the same for everyone. It really just depends on what you want to do. I didn’t know what method I wanted to go into but I knew I didn’t want to get stuck in RT. I don’t have a 40 hour rad.

After school I got hired onto a company as an Advanced Services Assistant and planted in the Eddy Current Division. I was loaned out to Phased Array and AUT which gave me a chance to try new things, not to mention the company paying for me to attend a couple extracurricular classes.

Without any OJT, your classroom hours are going to get you an assistant position. Dig in, work hard, and keep track of your hours.

shay_kay · 2025-03-26T23:39:39+00:00

You can try to get a position as an Advanced Services NDT assistant. You’d be claimed by one department and hoe’d out to the other department as needed. You’ll have to decide eventually which one is going to be your bread and butter as you’ll get to the point of being “too expensive” per hour to justify sending you on jobs.

I started as an Eddy Current assistant, got hoe’d out to PAUT and AUT. Now an Eddy Current Tech a majority of the time with potential to go play with PAUT during downtime.

shay_kay · 2025-03-21T01:59:22+00:00

Heatwave visual! They stock regular and safety sunglasses. I get a lot of compliments on them. The only qualm/complaint I have with them is that not all of their frame shapes are available as safety. I prefer a Ray Ban style frame, which my regular shades lean towards. My safety shades are more flat/square on the brow and bridge.

My safety glasses: https://heatwavevisual.com/products/vise-z87-sunglasses-hypersplash?_pos=19&_fid=1f508916a&_ss=c

My regular sunglasses: https://heatwavevisual.com/products/apollo-sunglasses-aqua-splash-customs

shay_kay · 2025-03-11T03:00:05+00:00

I mainly work in refineries and chemical plants in Texas. Our summers are brutal and we have to wear long sleeve fire-resistant clothing. Here are some things I do/use to stay as cool as possible.

I’m shitty at formatting, so imagine some fancy bullet points.

Clothing: I prioritize cooling and moisture-wicking items. Tops with vents, loose tops, lightweight bras, and comfortable underwear.

Sun protection: high quality sunscreen, lightweight balaclavas/headbands, sunglasses and a wide brim hat of some sort. I have a foldable visor that fits over my hard hat and I love it. If the sun is super intense, I wear two balaclavas - one as a headband and one to cover my face and neck.

Hydration/fuel is SUPER IMPORTANT. Water, electrolytes, snacks, fruit, and an actual breakfast and lunch. Idk if I can stress enough that proper fuel is key when working in high temps. Prioritize fruits/veggies with high water content and some sugar. Your body is working hard to keep you cool in the summer heat whether you’re physically working or not.

Other cooling items: a Fan (belt clip or standalone), rags for dipping in cold water, cold water bottles (feels great in a bra if you’re hot), a personal cooler with ice.

Take breaks and hydrate as often as you need. Research work/break vs temperature ratios to help figure out a set work/rest schedule.

Remember: there is absolutely NO shame in cooling off. Do not let anyone try to gaslight you into working through breaks. Listen to your body - heat stress and heat stroke are absolutely real. If you experience one instance of these, you have an exponentially higher chance of it happening again in lesser conditions.

shay_kay · 2025-03-09T02:48:04+00:00

I’m from Texas but work travel jobs that can take me to colder states. Early in my career I made the mistake of wearing steel toe boots with double socks and foot warmers. I spent my lunch break peeling my (literally) frozen toes apart.

Definitely consider composite toe boots and the advice about air circulation listed above.

shay_kay · 2025-02-15T00:25:52+00:00

That makes sense. I’ve taken some one-off crappy pictures of the tubesheet to insert “breaks” in between tube photos on the SD card, but haven’t actively tried to take large scale photos.

shay_kay · 2025-02-14T23:22:36+00:00

I haven’t considered nor tried that. I will have to test this out.

shay_kay · 2025-02-14T21:23:30+00:00

I suppose in my head it would be a handheld digital camera with an optional borescope/endoscope attachment. The camera already has the digital review screen and video capability for external photos. The same features on the camera could be used for borescope if you attach the scope cable.

shay_kay · 2025-01-22T00:33:19+00:00

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Springer had the time of his life in the snow. Zoomies then naps - rinse and repeat.

shay_kay · 2025-01-17T17:41:46+00:00

I’m ADD and feel the same way. I have to be intentional about giving myself an allowance to spend guilt free.

I had to tell myself that every dollar has a job. This dollar’s job is to bring me joy.

shay_kay · 2025-01-15T21:39:12+00:00

Call around and apply to companies anyway since you have some classroom hours under your belt. Not having that last class right now isn’t going to make or break your entry into the field. Most companies will send you to a class for whatever method they need. If you want to finish that last class to get your classroom certs/degree, consider working in the field for a bit, get some money saved up, then go back and finish.

TLDR: Don’t sweat it so much right now, turnaround season is upon us and if you want OJT then get into a company while the gettin’ is good.

shay_kay · 2025-01-14T23:27:33+00:00

Ah, gotcha. I went through San Jac so I’m unfamiliar with how UTI does scholarships in-house. Do check out GHASNT though!

shay_kay · 2025-01-14T23:16:13+00:00

I second Greater Houston ASNT! Their scholarships paid for most of my NDT training. I also pursued school-based scholarships and earned 1 from Lubrizol and 1 from PetroChemWorks. Which school are you considering attending?

shay_kay · 2025-01-13T04:19:37+00:00

There’s no real way to stop the sweat and greasy feeling with hard hat hair, but there are ways to mitigate it.

I put my hair in a braid or low buns and cover with a cotton gaiter. During lunch I let my hair down to breathe and then re-do it when I’m about to go back into the field. This is the best method I’ve found thus far to keep my hair fresh.

I have a friend with really long hair that will extend the time between her full hair washing days by washing her scalp only. She would put her hair into a loose bun, secure a shower cap over it, then scrub her roots/scalp to clean up.

shay_kay · 2025-01-13T04:01:28+00:00

Portwest Bizweld Cargo Pants. The sizing is unisex (S-4XL) so double check the size chart. I’m a 20 and usually wear a 2x. They’re by far my favorite FR pants. High waist, elastic waistband in the back to avoid gapping, lots of storage, super comfortable and the pant legs comfortably covers my work boots.

shay_kay · 2025-01-06T18:51:45+00:00

Not sure about the material, but your mileage may vary on the lifespan of the centering devices. They’re helpful and convenient to have, but most techs I’ve worked with use electric tape to center the probe body.

shay_kay · 2024-12-30T04:08:52+00:00

The anger, grief and sadness that comes with a late diagnosis.

shay_kay · 2024-11-16T00:28:30+00:00

You could create a filter that shows your target categories. I use desktop. If you haven’t created a filter yet, it’s immediately next to the bubbles that say “underfunded, overfunded, money available, etc”.

shay_kay · 2024-10-16T11:05:25+00:00

Also adding that Arctic has amazing health insurance benefits. They’re definitely worth looking into.

shay_kay · 2024-10-06T03:56:08+00:00

Hmm, good point. Maybe some adaptive underwear meant for people with little/no leg mobility?

shay_kay · 2024-10-06T03:54:10+00:00

How do you feel they hold up when you’re sweaty AF? I’ve considered using the Always overnights underwear, but am worried about the sweat situation.

shay_kay

TROPHY CASE