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Messages - 12 trips South

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Antarctic Discussion / Re: Jake Speed greviously injured in Greenland
« on: December 29, 2009, 09:13:27 PM »
Indeed, the same Jake.  God love 'em.

I won't go into detail, but he saved my life once at the Pole.  I am forever indebted.  I will never forget him.

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Antarctic Discussion / Another Reason I like Shackleton...
« on: October 30, 2009, 09:26:57 PM »
http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/environment/090909/shackletons-whisky

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Antarctic Discussion / Re: Hand Washing or That's ok. I wasn't using my civil liberties anyway.
« on: September 01, 2009, 01:01:03 AM »
Unbelievable.

Raytheon can't leave soon enough.

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Antarctic Discussion / Re: Jake Speed greviously injured in Greenland
« on: August 26, 2009, 03:42:12 AM »
Good on 'em.

One of the most indomitable spirits I've ever met. 

Not to go into much detail, but Jake saved my life once.  I'm forever indebted.

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Antarctic Discussion / Dr. Jerri Nielsen Dead at 57
« on: June 25, 2009, 12:39:16 AM »
Read it all here:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/06/23/obit.jerri.nielsen/index.html?iref=mpstoryview

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Antarctic Discussion / Re: Things that have changed since Raytheon took over
« on: June 01, 2009, 10:13:03 PM »
Thinking back on it... it's painful... but when I was in "manager training" we were covering workplace injury.

It became very, very apparent that it was NOT about caring for the injured employee, but more about making damned sure that the proper forms were filled out and a CYA culture.

It was about Raytheon, not employees.

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Antarctic Discussion / Re: KIWI A Frame, burnt down tonight
« on: May 28, 2009, 01:16:49 AM »
I read in the NZ press it was the last place Sir Edmund Hillary stayed on his last night in Antarctica, at his request.

Sad.  A bit of history gone.

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Antarctic Discussion / Jake Speed greviously injured in Greenland
« on: May 12, 2009, 09:42:04 PM »
Anyone know the status of Jake Speed?  He worked at Pole for several winters.  I heard recently he has gravely injured in Greenland after being caught in a white out.

Any news?

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Antarctic Discussion / Re: Things that have changed since Raytheon took over
« on: May 12, 2009, 09:40:21 PM »
I was in a mid-level management position.  The department doesn't matter, or the site, but it was "on ice".

I had one employee who was constantly "sick", late for work, doing sub par work and forcing others who the person worked with to take on more work to cover the shortage.

I spoke with HR on 4 separate occasions and was told to document, speak with employee, and that's what I did.

When it came time for review and bonus, I was told in emphatic terms by HR that I could not mark the person "no hire" or give below an average bonus.  It demeaned the worth of the other employees working with said employee, and it became very clear to me that it wasn't about management, but cow towing to HR.

It will be a good day when the last RPSC HR person leaves the ice.

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Antarctic Discussion / Re: Things that have changed since Raytheon took over
« on: May 09, 2009, 09:47:18 PM »
When I started, I was met in Denver by the CEO of Antarctica Support Associates.  "How are you?  How are things back in **?  Thank you for coming back again.  We appreciate your work and commitment to the program"  He was warm, sincere, and meant what he said.

When RPSC took over, I was stopped at the door by an icy receptionist who said "Social Security Number".  When given, I was allowed entrance.  This after working on ice for 6 years at that point.

HR on ice became essentially a mouthpiece for RPSC policy, whereas ASA was more employee oriented. 

ASA wasn't perfect, but from an employee perspective, it was much better.  These are but a few of the differences, but there are many, many more.


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Antarctic Discussion / yawn...
« on: April 14, 2009, 11:52:39 PM »
This forum is like being in the 9th month at pole...

Quiet.

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Antarctic Discussion / Re: Prime Rib
« on: March 09, 2009, 09:13:13 PM »
In my twp winters, there weren't too many stuck up folks.  17 one year, 21 the next.  We all got on pretty well.  Oh sure, there were some outliers who were full goose nuts (I recall an MD who in particular fit that bill; she was later escorted out of McMurdo).

Summer folks would arrive like locusts.  Much like any Winter over, you just kept your head down, did you gig, then got on the LM Gould and sailed home.  I've heard that summer folks are pretty much prima donnas, but whatever.

Personally I like working with the folks who don't care when the sun goes down.

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Antarctic Discussion / Re: Prime Rib
« on: March 07, 2009, 02:18:46 AM »
Cool.  Glad to hear it's all there after all these years.  I did two winters there.  Doubtful that I'll ever see it again, or experience it, but good for those who will be in the future to enjoy.

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Antarctic Discussion / Re: Prime Rib
« on: March 05, 2009, 12:19:47 AM »
Ah, missing meat.

I remember at Palmer late night raids galley and the beautiful steaks... 

I guess the steaks and the woodstove, probably the hot tub too, are gone with Raytheon at the helm.

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Antarctic Discussion / Re: Japanese Scientists Recruit Antarctic Love Dolls
« on: March 05, 2009, 12:18:11 AM »
At pole in the early part of this decade, the guy in charge of the powerplant had a love doll.  He carried everywhere; usually drunk too.

Apparently he had his face painted black with sharpies on the flight to McMurdo.  I remember him proudly showing me the bag of Valium the MD had given him for "flight jitters". He was stone drunk when he got on the C-130, with the doll under his arm.

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