Article on snowplowing as a career

[Mick]

Ran across this online article on snowplowing as a "Dream Job".
http://www.salary.com/careers/layouthtmls/crel_display_Cat10_Ser22_Par53.html

[gordyo]

Oh Man, now we have to be politically correct and call ourselves

"PLOWISTS" LOL

[Mick]

Originally posted by gordyo
Oh Man, now we have to be politically correct and call ourselves

"PLOWISTS" LOL

I think I'd prefer "Snow Engineer".:rolleyes:

I do think Mr Day gave a good interview. He and Amy Furan should be commended.

[JohnnyU]

While I think it was well written, it doesn't give us much credit. His quote,
There is no training and no special licensure needed for snowplow drivers in the state of Minnesota. When asked if he had any advice for aspiring snowplow operators, Day laughed and said, "Tell them to call me. We're hiring."
makes us not sound like a real profession. Another instance of this is when he says that he was "able to get the hang of it just after a few shifts."

I've been plowing for almost 5 years and I still haven't fully gotten the hang of it, there are institcts that take YEARS to fully develop.

It was well written, but perhaps not what a seasoned vet would say, someone who has been actually doing this for more than 8 months......

Just my $.02.

[W-n-K Landscaping]

I agree with you Snowybowtie- I was a little disapointed when I read that also. I have been "plowing" most of my life out of necessity, and only recently started doing it proffesionally. I can say that there is definitely way to much to learn in a"just a few shifts" every day I log in here, I learn something new. In fact the two most important decisions I made last fall did not involve the purchase of equipment- but instead the joining of this forum, and also SIMA- I have learned a tremendous amount of information in a short time that saved me from what could have been crippling mistakes. It has also allowed me to network with people in my area and helped me out tremendously when those inevitable breakdowns occur. I will be better prepared next season equipment wise, as well as being better prepared with more subs, and probably a couple of employees. I am currently on the track to grow my snow management business by 300% or more- I could not do this without the help and support of a group of people like you have here and at SIMA.

Just my $.02 also

Bill

[szorno]

Maybe we can look up Noah Day when we are in Minneapolis at SIMA. I would be glad to buy him a day pass and show him what real snow pros are like. Then challenge the author to do a follow up next season.;) Could be fun. :grinz

[snowjoker]

Well said John. I have been plowing almost 10 years and still learn something new now and then. Like to watch out for idiots pushing snow off the sidewalk into the lot you are plowing. Or old ladies standing right behind your truck while you are backing up ignoring the light on top and backup alarm :mad: I better not go any farther before I get a little crazy. This guy is a joke.:headwall

[Mick]

While it's true that a professional job will require a certain set of skills which can only be developed over time, that is not the point. What Mr Day said is true - "There is no training and no special licensure needed for snowplow drivers in the state of Minnesota."

[BWhite]

I think the article was to general to allow for a proper description . I would bet this woman cranks out articles like this using a basic generic template . every article being equally bland

[digger242j]

Lousy hours in lousy weather, on call only, with no benefits--who dreamed this job up? :rolleyes:

[Snoworks]

Digger - LMAO

Dream job - lol

Chuck B.

[gslam88]

Guys,


I think the way that I would like to be referred to it as a Moisture Relocation Engineer or perhaps a Seasonal Transportation Architect.......

AS far as the hours... they are not that bad... from the start of the storm ... to the end of the storm.... with occasional minute naps in between the day or 2 that your up and running....


There could be worst jobs...how about a person who works at the morgue.... or a politician.... or a orderly at the mental institution......



Pete

[Crimedog]

Hey- be nice, Noah is my uncle:( Heehee J/K

I agree, Noah makes us sound like a bunch of guys that couldn't do anything that requires special training, so we turned to plowing, or being "plowists". :rolleyes: