Posted by PJH on May 07, 2010 at 23:24:38 from (72.69.98.203):
In Reply to: Re: DOT Numbers posted by trucker 40 on May 07, 2010 at 21:42:15:
Trucker - I have to comment.
I worked 33 1/2 years as a road construction inspecter/stake driver/layout man or whatever you want to call me. My job was really pretty simple: The contractors bid competitively on a set of plans and specifications, and I was there to see that the bid winner built it to the plans and specifications that he bid on. Nothing more, but nothing less. I demanded nothing that was not required of him. I paid him every nickel that he was entitled to, but not a nickel more. I did my very best to see that he made money, but made him make it honestly. If I saw he was about to shoot himself in the foot, I tried to steer him away from losing money un-necessarily.
I had a reputation for being honest but demanding that it be done right. I also made sure that he was paid for any extra work that wasn't on the plans, but was unforseen and necessary to complete the project. A man deserves to be paid fully for his labor, but not a nickel more.
Was I perfect? Absolutely NOT! I could write a book on the mistakes I have made. But I made sure the contractor didn't bear the cost of my mistakes. I didn't try to hide them, and the people I worked for trusted me and stood behind me. The longer I worked, the fewer mistakes I made, just like any other job.
I know there are inspecters like you describe. I fought for 33 years against the reputation those type of people established. Every new contractor that I worked with expected me to be an idiot, and I had to prove them wrong.
Believe it or not, there ARE honest contractors, but the temptation to cut corners under pressure will work on even the honest ones. You can't fault a man for trying to make money, but it was my job, as inspecter, to help keep him honest.
I know that the people that you know in the construction business have met some knucklehead inspecters. We all have met them. But some of us actually take pride in trying to do the job correctly.
And as far as starving to death - I've been retired now for ten years, and I still get several job offers every year, from contractors that I've worked with in the past. One contractor has a standing offer of a job any time I want it. To tell you the truth - I'm scared of today's traffic. I feel that I've used up all my "near miss" chances.
I'm not trying to pick a fight with you - I enjoy your posts, even if I don't always agree with you. But I object to the broad description of all inspecters being idiots, just as you would object to all truckers/welders/mechanics being idiots.
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