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[Qloos]

Stop right there.

Just kidding, there are no rules to this thread.  Ask whatever you want about my job.  I may even include pictures with squiggly lines and angry faces on it for your my amusement.

No, that's not me in the picture.

[warhammer651]

how well/poorly are you paid?

[ed boy]

What job-related puns do you know?

[Criptfeind]

Why did you make this thread?

[Qloos]

how well/poorly are you paid?

I knew that was going to be the first question.
Average wage for flagging is 12-14/hour.  I make 20, damn I have it good.

What job-related puns do you know?

Fagger
Flaggit
The Idiot, (referring to anyone who drives)

Why did you make this thread?

Eventually I might give advice about how to, or how to not, piss off a flagger.  Driving is something we can all relate with in our daily lives, so there's some humor in this thread to be found for everyone.

I may even give advise about how to flag.

[Criptfeind]

I make 20, damn I have it good.

You know. If you are going to have to stand outside you might as well make more then a office peon.

How do you make flaggers like you?

[GlyphGryph]

How do you make so much more than the average?

[Criptfeind]

Obviously he is the senior flag peon.

Edit: Is it okay for me to imagine a octopus leading a bunch of fat guys in florescent suits in a fancy flag dance?

[Qloos]

How do you make flaggers like you?

That's rather vague.

Flaggers used to require no certification or training to start work as a flagger, now you need to take a 2 day course, (atleast in BC.)  To start work as a flagger.

It teaches you regulations, responsibilities, how to use the devices (what a joke.)  Equipment hazards and setting up workzone.  Oh, and how to not get hit by a car and which side of the paddle you stick in peoples faces when you want them to stop.

(Also, I'd prefer this job over an office job even if I'm making a little less.  Fresh air.)

How do you make so much more than the average?

No competition so we can charge more, (which is the main reason), seniority from 6 years of flagging, (which makes me the supervisor.) and I have a drivers licence unlike half of my coworkers.

[Criptfeind]

Okay.

Tell us a story.

A funny story.

[Qloos]

Edit: Is it okay for me to imagine a octopus leading a bunch of fat guys in florescent suits in a fancy flag dance?

No, it isn't.

A funny story.

We were getting ready to pave a steep hill, so they were laying on a coat of bitumen on the road for the adhesive in preperation for the 2nd lift, (layer) of asphalt.  There wasn't much traffic, it was a quiet road and I was working by myself.  Later on in the day a delivery truck drives up and I tell him.

"The road's really slippery from the oil, [It isn't oil, but people get the idea it's slippery better if I tell them it's fucking oil] just drive slow so you dont splash it up on your vehicle or lose control."  [Bitumen is a fucking bitch to wash off, you need diesel.] 

I look up the hill before I send him up and see the work truck that was spraying the shit on the road sliding down the hill sideways at me.  The delivery truck driver says "Yeah I'll come back later."

OR

A utility boom truck.

Spoiler: One of these (click to show/hide)

Attempting to make a wide corner and slipping into a ditch with a CVSE (commercial vehicle safety and enforcement) officer driving behind him who happens to have a work safe BC rep in the passenger seat.

OR

The time I left my lunch box on the corner of an intersection, turned around to eat and realized an 18 wheeler snagged the damn thing between it's tires and dragged it for 6 blocks down the road.  My lunch kit survived and I still have it today in fact.

Spoiler: Scratched (click to show/hide)

[Sowelu]

Okay, here's one.  How slow is "slow", on say...around here we've got a 35mph road that people customarily take at 45...when it's been reduced to one lane?

I'm never sure whether I should take it at like, 10 or something, or if I should go more like 25-30 to keep traffic moving along (since eastbound and westbound have to trade off).

Always wondered.

[Criptfeind]

Where did you get the lunch box?

[olemars]

The time I left my lunch box on the corner of an intersection, turned around to eat and realized an 18 wheeler snagged the damn thing between it's tires and dragged it for 6 blocks down the road.  My lunch kit survived and I still have it today in fact.

Spoiler: Scratched (click to show/hide)

Wait... you chased a semi for 6 blocks just to get your lunchbox back?

[Qloos]

Okay, here's one.  How slow is "slow", on say...around here we've got a 35mph road that people customarily take at 45...when it's been reduced to one lane?

Flaggers have different personalities, and each workzone is different.  On a personal level, I don't care how fast a driver goes as long as he is in control, able to come to a complete stop and paying attention.  If a flagger is standing by passive, then don't worry too much about it, keeping traffic moving and preventing traffic jams and delays is also part of our job.  Sometimes I dont even care if people speed.

If there's a new posted speed limit sign, follow it.  Traffic fines are often double in work zones and I have had cops literraly hide behind the traffic controllers with a radar gun.


This flagger doesn't care if you slow down.


This flagger thinks you're going way too fast.  Jesus christ, what's the matter with you?

If I think it's warranted, I'll stop people just because they're going too fast, then send them once they've slowed down enough.

Where did you get the lunch box?

It was a birthday gift, thanks mom.

Wait... you chased a semi for 6 blocks just to get your lunchbox back?

No, someone drove it back for me.  That construction worker was a bro.