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03/24/08, 04:15 PM
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member
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SE Ohio
Posts: 23,495
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Anyone ever flag traffic?
It is possible I could get a job flagging, union paving company, if Cale can't get back to work. Anyone ever done this? Tell me all about it!
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03/24/08, 04:28 PM
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Fair to adequate Mod
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: Between Crosslake and Emily Minnesota
Posts: 13,721
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I've never done it, but from what I see of women flagging traffic during the summer there are a few things you'll have to do first.
1. Learn to smoke cigarettes
2. Get a tattoo or two
3. Learn to suntan to a dark brown color without getting sunburnt.
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Last edited by Cabin Fever; 03/24/08 at 04:31 PM.
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03/24/08, 04:31 PM
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Big Front Porch advocate
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Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 44,424
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I agree with Cabin Fever. On an alternative, why don't you see about doing one of these work at home, phone answering jobs that some of the people on HT do? They probably make enough for your thrifty budget and you'd not have the cost of leaving home, and you already have the computer.
Angie
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03/24/08, 04:44 PM
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member
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SE Ohio
Posts: 23,495
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Well I would have insurance. I don't think I would take up smoking. I could wear a big straw hat and long sleeve shirt. Cale thinks I would get run over by a car. I told him I would pay close attention! The problem around here is finding a decent paying job, I just can't work for minimum wage with the price of gas and everthing else. I know someone who can get me on, said they always need women to flag traffic.
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03/24/08, 04:44 PM
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Happy Scrounger
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Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: South Central Wisconsin
Posts: 13,635
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Flagging traffic is kind of tedious...but usually pays really well.
You stand outside, in whatever weather God decides to throw at you that day, for your prescribed shift. I seem to remember there are a lot of rules about how long you can be on a shift...and you get breaks every 2 hours minimum. The <county/state/company> that you work for supplies a high visibility vest, hat and sometimes whole suit. (Jacket for cold/windy/wet days)
you'll need sturdy boots, and get some fort of leather or molded insole for it since you'll be standing for 8 hours. BOTTLES of sun screen and lip cover. and lots of water (i think they have to supply that tho)
You have to be aware of the danger of flagging. there are a lot of idiots out there driving. some won't want to stop. some will curse you. some will justignore that you're there. (those folks you can get arrested by taking down the license plate)
Youhave to keep sharp lookout and in communication with the other workers. It's not a HARD job, and you're outside, which for me is a big plus  it's usually real dusty and hot. One of those ice neckerchiefs is a big help. as would be a personal fan (battery powered or solar powered).
Good luck with it flagging can lead to better jobs for the county (or the crew) like driving people back and forth, or office stuff, if that's your bent.
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03/24/08, 04:46 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NY
Posts: 3,368
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It's hot and your feet feel like they are on fire in your boots. Not only that, but it's harder than you think to stand on pavement all day-- your feet, legs and back will hurt (at first anyway). Then, you have to hope you don't get ran over by some ying-yang not paying attention to what he/she is doing.
Michelle
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03/24/08, 04:49 PM
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member
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SE Ohio
Posts: 23,495
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It is a paving company so they will mostly only be working when it is warm and dry, they shut down if it rains or is bad weather. I don't really want to do it, but if I have to work I want to make a decent income. I hope Cale feels well enough to go back to work himself, but I have to make plans just in case. Heat doesn't really bother me so that is a plus ~trying to look on the bright side.
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03/24/08, 04:58 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Missouri
Posts: 4,440
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Son did this for two years out in Kansas and he really liked his job with a repaving company. Excellent pay. Lots of nice folks would give him fruit and drinks while waiting in line 'cause he looked hot! Sunscreen and long sleeve cotton shirts are important and a good hat. "course he is a redhead so can really get fried! Met alot of nice hardworking folks. Oh, and was eligible for unemployment all winter which was nice, too! DEE
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03/24/08, 05:07 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
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Like it was mentioned before - you NEED to know that it is a VERY DANGEROUS job. Back when I worked as a Highway and Construction Inspector for KDOT (Kansas Dept. of Trans), I witnessed TWO flaggers killed by cars. Several more injured. Irate drivers are also a HUGE worry. Flaggers get berated and abused. My brother is a Superintendent for a large paving company in westcentral Kansas. He can tell you plenty of horror stories of things happening to flaggers.
It is LONG, Hot work. Basically from sunup to sundown, with few breaks. Pay is good (usually), but it's not a fun job.
After seeing what I have seen, knowing what I know, I would NEVER allow my wife to be a flagger.
If you DO decide to do it, be sure you keep alert, never turn your back on traffic, be ready to "hit the ditch", wear good sturdy boots, jeans and T shirt (or light weight long sleeved), A good shading hat, sun tan lotion that doesn't attract bugs, and - above all - PRAY FOR SAFETY.
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03/24/08, 05:17 PM
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Failure is not an option.
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 2,623
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Hey.
If you can stand for long periods of time and you can take high heat you will be ok. Road workers do get hit, so in WI we see commercials about this on tv.
BTW: pavement rollers do work in the rain...
RF
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03/24/08, 05:20 PM
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: Florida
Posts: 804
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I did back in the early 70's when I was young and foolish. I always waited to stop the car that had the good looking girls so I could visit 
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03/24/08, 05:26 PM
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Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Minnesota
Posts: 165
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Long day, boring job, but pays well.. Watch out for the jerks who have no time to wait.... And like said before NEVER TURN YOUR BACK ON TRAFFIC!!!!!
And from things that have happend to me just because they are little old ladies and little old men dont mean they are very nice... Most of my problems came from them be very impatient, flipping you the bird, honking horns and just being plain pain in the arses....
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03/24/08, 05:27 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Right Here
Posts: 3,280
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Melissia:
I have hauled blacktop before and the girls work out just fine as flagers and they use radios to keep in contact, and you would work out just fine, because you have the right attitude.
It can be long hours, and they stop if it rains to much.
And when you get done you can always go back to full time home and HT living.
Go for it if Cale can deal with it, for a while, until he gets back to his full self.
YOU CAN DO IT ! ! !
bumpus
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03/24/08, 05:30 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,856
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its hot, its cold, its dirty, its very dangerous,, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER turn your back to traffic and NEVER, NEVER, Never turn you back on the equipment either. we lost a female flager to an excavator in danville virginia a few years ago, it was not pretty. 6 out of a hundred drivers will not see you, 8 out of a hundred will not want to obey you, 26 out of a hundred will be talking on cell phones and see you too late, about 1/5th will blame you for slowing them up on their all important way, 3 out of a hundred will be,,,,,well 3 out of a hundred will be just plain crazy. other than that. its a job that has to be done. and you can always tell stories about it later in life. i do...
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03/24/08, 05:32 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Wyoming
Posts: 2,597
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WOW, I had no idea so many people are rude to the flaggers. I always feel sorry for them and make it a point to smile and wave.
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03/24/08, 05:34 PM
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Learning everyday
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: TN
Posts: 1,956
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I worked for a paving company (in the office). I will say that depending on the company the hours can be bad. If it is a rainy or cold week the boss may want you to either work over or work on weekends so working on your farm maybe a luxury you won't get. The company I worked for gave the crews a lot of overtime but I don't think it was worth it all the time for the people on the crews to never be able to plan trips and days with their families. The company also would lay-off the paving crews during the winter months so some of the workers said that made it worth it.
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03/24/08, 06:11 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: MS
Posts: 3,839
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Whenever we lived in Seattle, I remember seeing lots of female flaggers and I think the pay was decent. At that time, attending a short flaggers course was necessary. If this is something that you need to do for a short while, I feel confident you can make it work for you. With the price of gasoline, I understand needing something more than minimum wage.
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03/24/08, 06:23 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 19,807
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Around here, lots of college kids will work as flaggers. The pay is really very good, but you have to be alert and aware. Not everyone is a jerk, but there are drivers who are just plain stinkers.
Wear LOTS of sunscreen, get a camel-pak for water, wear sun-protective clothing, and stay alert.
If you have to take a job, there are worse gigs.
God bless you and the family, Melissa!
Pony!
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03/24/08, 06:28 PM
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member
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SE Ohio
Posts: 23,495
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You guys are getting close to talking me out of it. Cale said he needs to either get better or just die, we can't afford for him to be sick!!! ~He laughed when he said this, he has a weird sense of humor...
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03/24/08, 06:35 PM
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Banned
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Right Here
Posts: 3,280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Melissa
You guys are getting close to talking me out of it. Cale said he needs to either get better or just die, we can't afford for him to be sick!!! ~He laughed when he said this, he has a weird sense of humor...
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Why would you say that ?
What has anyone said that would talk you out of making extra money.
bumpus
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