Getting Out...

OK, so I made it home safely. But what an experience, the people however impoverished are hospitable to say the least. They want to help you. Is it because they are doing there job or would they just as soon cut off your hands if they met you in a dark alley, I hope not to find out.

Even the ride to the airport was an adventure, we are almost to the airport when I start to notice a lot of policia along the road we were on, then next thing I saw was about 300 cops dressed in there full riot gear. The driver I had did not speak any English, so I could not ask him what was going on, all I was thinking was please drive a little faster I don't want to be caught in the crossfire if the shit hits the fan. I did make to the airport obviously, I got there 3 hours early.
I went through security right away. I did not want like the French fellow that was shot in the head in the lobby just a week ago.

There are a lot things that are wrong with our government, after that trip I appreciate what ours does do for us...

Culture Shock

"WOW" that is all I can say, this place is amazing. The things I've seen on the Amazing Race tv show do not even come close to preparing me for the culture shock. The city is a buzz with activity everywhere I look there are people doing something, moving about, trying to sell you stuff from the side of the road, I even saw two older fellows and a young kid doing an impromptu circus show in the middle of the road between traffic lanes. I expect to see more interesting things in the upcoming days......

On the ready

OK I am all ready to go, bags are packed, passport is in hand, all of the required paperwork has been filed, but most important I have registered with the State Department. If I don't come home at least the government can hopefully come get me...I may post some photos while I am there, See you then..........

Mexico City

My company asked me to travel to Mexico City to do some inspection work at a Ford Motor Company assembly plant. I have had other opportunities in the past to travel for work, none of which panned out, at the time I thought it would be exiting. However, now that I actually have the chance, I am scared as hell.

Maybe its the wow factor or perhaps it is all the crazy stories you hear about contractors being kidnapped, I have not yet figured out were the fear comes from.
I have traveled in the past, Germany, Paris, The Azores, Montreal, and multiple trips around our states. I think I have enough time logged on Google that I could be a share holder, I guess that is just my way to mitigate the fear of the unknown. I will try to collect as much info as I can before I depart and hopefully 10 years from now they can't make a movie based on my kidnapping....Wish Me Luck

More about Inspection life

Performing visual review of welded and bolted connections on a bridge was what I did on this exciting day. Kind of boring in the grand scheme of things, but it is what I do. In a funny way that is the good thing about my job, I get to see many different things on any given day. OK, back to what I do, afterall that is what this blog is supposed to be about, visual review of welds is pretty basic. Making sure the welds were placed where they should be, size, and overall quality. Checking bolts is a pain in the rump, especially if they are fully pre-tensioned. This involves a torque wrench that is about 4' long and weighs about 15-20 lbs and some ass to pull it.
Some of the larger size bolted connections require up to 56 kips per bolt.

One of the methods of Non destructive testing I do

I am getting ready to head up to Port Huron, Mi to do some testing on the blue water bridge. The funny thing is, I will drive two and a half hours to do a half hour of work. I love it...anyway, I will be doing Magnetic Particle testing, this method involves putting a magnetic field into a weld and applying a fine iron powder to the area. What this does is identifies cracks in the weld or base metal. What happens is the magnetic field is put into the steel using a "Yoke" which is an electro magnet. After the field is applied if there is a crack or other break in the steel, The leakage of the magnetic flux will attract the iron powder that was applied and thus the crack is identified. Amazing, Its kinda like Mr. Wizard but I get paid for it.....

The First

Well here goes nothing. I wanted to give this blogging stuff a try, I figured why not. I will likely talk about my encounters as a Welding Inspector, and just my life in general. I hope not to rant about things that do not interest anyone, I do want people to read this junk...I will sign off for now next post I will explain what it means to be an Inspector. Good day