> > $10000 for a full crew set up? Really? How is that possible? Does he not realize that there need to be a vehicle, a gun, a level, rods, prisms, tapes, nails, disks, a license to practice and a licensed SURVEYOR to sign... 10000? come on.
>
> you can survey just fine out of a 94 escort. Besides the license and the total station, the other stuff is cheap.
Perry echoes my thoughts. I'll bet that the engineer has been reading the postings to this message board about surveying in New Hampshire and just needs some pointers on how large a sapling to cut down for a traverse point and what sort of compass to buy to use to determine magnetic North for the bearing basis. Well, that and how many 2x4's can you mill out of that last tree standing on line you felled.
Bring him to your office and tell him to shut the door. Show him your quote for a pencil pocket protector and tell him how you want to open an engineering company. You plan on practicing on his fathers farm buildings with a few structural modifications.
Gotta have fun with these things, lifes too short.
Ha! Now that is funny!
> Bring him to your office and tell him to shut the door. Show him your quote for a pencil pocket protector and tell him how you want to open an engineering company. You plan on practicing on his fathers farm buildings with a few structural modifications.
>
> Gotta have fun with these things, lifes too short.
Best comment yet!
Duane, That is An Insult To Engineers
I have never ever bought a pocket protector. One of the first things they teach in engineering schoold is how to get them for free.
However the old ways are changing and they are getting harder to find. My supply is getting low, hopefully I can soon find some more freebies.
Paul in PA, PE, PLS
Duane wins the internet for today
I don't know about the original poster's company, but companies in general these days seem to have little loyalty to employees. When branch offices get closed, the rumors are in the local papers for weeks or months before the employees find out. Companies are always investigating the possibility of buying, or being bought out by, another company, and the employees are never clued in to these possibilities. So, applying the principle of what's good for the goose is good for the gander, I don't think some vague goal in the distant future of an employee opening his own company some day is cause to report the fellow to the boss. (Planning to open a new company next month is a different matter.) Talking about surveying on company time could be good or bad, depending on whether improving the engineer's knowledge of surveying will improve his work product for the company in the time between now and the time he eventually leaves.
$10,000 is a lot compared to the cost of typical continuing education courses, but working with real equipment would probably teach him more. And it isn't very expensive compared to university tuition.
> Perry echoes my thoughts. I'll bet that the engineer has been reading the postings to this message board about surveying in New Hampshire and just needs some pointers on how large a sapling to cut down for a traverse point and what sort of compass to buy to use to determine magnetic North for the bearing basis. Well, that and how many 2x4's can you mill out of that last tree standing on line you felled.
😀 ROTFLMAO
He has told you his long term career goals, to have his own business. Based on what you have said they don't match yours. Tell him your career goals and how your current position fits into them.
I have met a lot of people who dream of having their own firm, only a few of them have gone on to do it. It takes a certain personality to be self employed.
Unless you are interested in a joint venture with him, avoid being around him alone if you can, and avoid talking about it. Consider his chitchat equivalent to a bird chirping.
Honestly
Tell the engineer you like your job and don't want any part of what he is doing. Keep your head down, your powder dry, and focus on the job you have, and not his pie in the sky BS. When the SHTF, you'll be able to say you knew he was thinking about it, but didn't pursue it.
I just had this happen at my company. Man was with me for 6 year, went to college, got a degree, took the test a few times, and got a license. In about 60 days, he opened his own shop. The guy who took his place also rented from this man. He felt like he was in a pickle and that I would be bent at him for not telling me; but, he didn't interfere, did his job well, and didn't make waves. When it all came down, I called him in, told him I was sure that he knew, but didn't care as it wasn't his place to do anything other than his job and he had done that well. I gave him a promotion, company truck, and a raise.
Depending on many factors, Do not rule out the fact it might be profitable for you to jump ship and go on board with this guy. Not saying you should but I would at least look into it.
Honestly
So the engineer wants to get some of the Easy Money in surveying?
There's something wrong here.
Yes Kent, Traverse Points
> >
>
> Perry echoes my thoughts. I'll bet that the engineer has been reading the postings to this message board about surveying in New Hampshire and just needs some pointers on how large a sapling to cut down for a traverse point and what sort of compass to buy to use to determine magnetic North for the bearing basis. Well, that and how many 2x4's can you mill out of that last tree standing on line you felled.
I'm glad you are finally picking up on the proper way to survey. Yes, we actually use traverse points and traverse around the entire property and locate all the monuments, fences, stone walls and buildings. I know it's a lot of work to actually traverse the property instead of just starting at a monument and blindly following a bearing from an old map; but I think it's worth it to actually go around the parcel.
Engineering Surveys
> So the engineer wants to get some of the Easy Money in surveying?
>
> There's something wrong here.
It is possible that he intends to do engineering surveys. That's pretty much what I do with my total station.
Jumped ship once and went with a dual licensed individual, who started their own company after a huge blow up with the owner. I agreed with my boss instead of the owner and gave notice. This was all out in the open, all involved gave notice and stayed the two weeks, don't know about the rest but I went to the owner and thanked him for employing me. The new company flourished and still is in businesses today, operated as a one man show. I opened my office after obtaining my license when my boss told me he did not want any licensed people in his office except himself. Not much of a problem because I had been purchasing supporting equipment for years and only needed to purchase a total station, level, plotter, the rest I already owned, including tripods, pin finder, computer and software etc.. That did start me a year earlier than planned.
jud
Duane, That is An Insult To Engineers
Paul, we all know the ethics of engineers prohibits paying for products or services, but we also know they get quotes to find out how much they have saved in the process.
If it's not quantified, it didn't happen.
Just kidding you;-)
Items Of An Advertising Nature Were Always Acceptable
Put your name on a pocket protector and I am there.
Paul in PA
Duane, That is An Insult To Engineers
Oh, you're full of good ones today!
Unless he's competing with your company for the same clients, or unless he's using company resources and time to further his own personal goals rather than serving the company, there isn't anything yet to tell.
If he's trying to get you involved in side work, then you have something to discuss with the boss. As long as the side work is performed legally, does not use company resources, does not compete directly in on of the company's target markets, and does not otherwise interfere with your performance of the company's work, many bosses will have no problem with employees doing side work.
The problems here seem to be that the work won't be performed legally or competently (no license, lack of experience). But hey, he an engineer. He can learn everything he will ever need to know about surveying an a couple of weeks, right?
It sounds as if he may be using company time and resources solely to further his own goals. And it sounds as if his ambitions are beginning to interfere with the performance of his job and that his behavior may start to impact your work as well.
If the guy is just dreaming but getting his work done, and you have no interest in being part of his dreams for the future, let him know and continue to do your job to the best of your ability. Generally speaking, although the boss may want to know if something is brewing, nobody likes a tattletale, and he will probably respect your decision to mind your own business as long as you are doing your job well (See Kris's reaction to a similar situation above).
If you have actual knowledge of the guy stealing or borrowing company equipment or resources without permission, of him attempting to steal business or clients, or of him performing work illegally or incompetently, then you have something that you should take to the boss.
