Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 03-08-2007, 06:35 PM   #21
Moderator
 
moosetags's Avatar

 
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach , Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,156
Images: 5
Nice vacation shots. I think I'll wait till June for my Iowa visit. Good luck.
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
moosetags is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2007, 06:45 PM   #22
Rivet Master
 
clancy_boy's Avatar
 
2003 22' International CCD
Kiln , Mississippi
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,779
Images: 8
Lift one up for me.

Using some of the comments from the insurance companies: "I can't believe people live under these conditions year after year" and "who would wan't to live here after this" and one of my favorites "If I had my choice I would leave - the place is not worth the insurance money". These were comments I recorded from trials going on after Katrina - I have a strong feeling for the utility companies that keep this place and our country in general from becoming a 3rd world nation and "keep the lights on" in all sorts of conditions.

Thank You John and your crew - when we meet the beer is on me.
__________________
Michael & Tina with Layla and Preston BZ
The family has grown.
2003 22' INTERNATIONAL CCD
clancy_boy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2007, 06:56 PM   #23
4 Rivet Member
 
BDandTTs's Avatar
 
2005 22' International CCD
Phoenix , Arizona
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 309
Images: 49
Thumbs up Thanks!

Thanks to you and all of your brothers that work in the worst weather to restore power. Up here in the Vermont hills we lose power several times a year, and we always appreciate the linemen but never envy them. I'm sure they do not pay you enough.
__________________
Bob, Dianne, and Tess the WFT
BDandTTs
Bandit #14576 (WDCU/AIR)

https://www.RWChatelain-Woodturner.com
BDandTTs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2007, 07:02 PM   #24
Just an old timer...
 
85MH325's Avatar

 
2004 22' Interstate
Tipton , Iowa
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 4,760
Images: 37
Despite John's complaints about his March vacation here, it's the weather that makes Iowa such a superb place to live. The weather keeps the riff-raff out... 'specially those non-hackers from Wisconsin.

John was working most of his time just a few miles from where we live. We lost our power from the big company that starts with an "A" about 4:30 PM that Saturday. We have municipal generation in Tipton, but we can only generate about 60% of our average daily electrical demand. We closed down all but six business in town; three gas stations, Wal-Mart, the grocery store, and hardware store, and they all operated on minimal power. We disconnected the major industries from the grid, and fired up the generation. We can generate about 3.6 MW and we carried the town for 36 hours from our generation plant. Our residents and businesses were amazing; for 36 hours, the load never went above 3 MW even though we typically average around 5 MW! We had heat, water, and enough electricity for lighting, refrigeration and other necessary tasks. We had reports that our neighbors in town were watching TV by candle light, using fireplaces to heat when they could, and generally using as little power as possible.

The big company that starts with an "A" got us back on grid power, and we're back to normal. During that time we were out, we had the only gas pumps on in a 40 mile radius, and we had the only stores open for the same distance. Our town gained half again it's normal population size as friends, relatives, and neighbors from the surrounding towns and countryside came in to stay with friends and relatives. During that 36 hours, we had no reported crimes and not a single traffic accident in town. It was an amazing time of neighbors pulling together to get through a tough time.

Our thanks to John, his crew, and all of the crews out there that helped get Iowa back to "normal". They did an amazing job. After we were back on grid power and more or less back to normal, even our municipal line crew went out to help other municipals get back on line as well. It was a state-wide effort. Frankly, I'm proud to live here!

Roger
__________________
havin' to fix my broken Airstreams since 1987...
AIR 2053 Current: 2004 Airstream Interstate "B-Van" T1N DODGE Sprinter
Former Airstreams: 1953 Flying Cloud, 1957 Overlander, 1961 Bambi, 1970 Safari Special, 1978 Argosy Minuet, 1985 325 Moho, 1994 Limited 34' Two-door, 1994 B190 "B-Van"
85MH325 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2007, 07:07 PM   #25
Rivet Master
 
maxandgeorgia's Avatar
 
1995 30' Limited
Ashland , Missouri
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,610
We were down here (Missouri) listening to the weather reports from up there (Iowa) about all this, but your pictures make it real--too real it must have been to you! I echo those posts above: big thanks for all that you and your coworkers do keeping the country lit and warm. It's neat to see such skilled work from one of our own Forum friends. Amazing pics! I liked the Labor Day view best ~G
__________________
maxandgeorgia
1995 Airstream Classic Limited 30' ~ Gypsy
1978 Argosy Minuet, 6.0~Minnie/GPZWGN
Chev Silverado 2500HD Duramax/Allison, 4X4, Crew Cab
WBCCI #5013 AIR #2908
WDCU
Go, Mizzou...Tigers on the prowl!
maxandgeorgia is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2007, 07:20 PM   #26
Rivet Master
 
safari57's Avatar
 
1951 21' Flying Cloud
1960 24' Tradewind
West Coast , BC
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,790
Images: 10
Send a message via MSN to safari57
Great work John. Ugly conditions but you sure made life tolerable for a lot of folks so kudos to you.

The pictures you were showing are very similar to the Canadian prairies where we lived until 18 years ago, when we gave our heads a shake and said what are we doing living in this cold and wind. Now we have rain, fog and wind but at least it seldom gets very cold. We are weenies now to the folks back east - when it gets to the mid 30's we are freezing in our parkas and they come out and are in a sweater.

Barry
safari57 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2007, 07:25 PM   #27
Moderator Emeritus
 
overlander64's Avatar
 
1964 26' Overlander
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
Anna , Illinois
Join Date: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,710
Images: 194
Send a message via Yahoo to overlander64
tip: do not vacation in iowa in march!

Greetings John!

Your photos are so real -- we experienced very similar conditions in December here in Macon County Illinois (Decatur). We were without power in my neighborhood for 44 hours, but I couldn't complain -- unlike when I lived on our family farm, I had hot and cold running water (city water service with natural gas water heater) -- I just pulled out all of the blankets from the linen closet and wrapped up (the temperature never dipped below 42 degrees in my house despite temperatures outside that hovered around 10 degrees) -- the security service that monitors my house indicated that had the temperature droped 3 more degrees it would have set off the "temperature drop" alarm system.

I really respected the crews who had to work to get our neighborhood back online -- our neighborhood was laid out in the late 1930s, and the electric service runs along the back of our lots -- but no alley so access with any kind of equipment is far from easy. It also seems that almost every house in our neighborhood has at least one large tree -- mine has a huge Cottonwood and four Sweet Gums.

My house is less than two blocks from a major traffic light controlled intersection, and in the 44 hours without power there wasn't a serious collision at that intersection.

I am sure that we are all joining you in looking forward to Summer -- I know that I can't wait for the first convertible day!

Kevin
__________________
Kevin D. Allen
WBCCI (Lifetime Member)/VAC #7864
AIR #827
1964 Overlander International
1978 Argosy Minuet 6.0 Metre
overlander64 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2007, 08:01 PM   #28
Stray
 
1987 32' Excella
1978 28' Argosy 28
Springfield , Missouri
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 314
John,
We had similiar conditions here in Springfield a few weeks back. Don't guess I know the "A" company you work for, but there were many like you who came to our city from all over the country to help our locals restore power and clean up destroyed trees. Power is all restored but the company contracted to remove debris probably has another two months of work. Many of my neighbors and acquaintences were without power for up to 14 days. My hats off to you and all the others like you who do what you do. You're much appreciated.
__________________
Stray
nohillgrish is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2007, 08:22 PM   #29
Rivet Master
 
Melody Ranch's Avatar
 
1956 22' Flying Cloud
1953 32' Liner
1955 22' Safari
Valley View , Texas
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,971
Images: 78
Send a message via Skype™ to Melody Ranch
Bad timing

Thanks John,
Can you believe it....I have the truck loaded and leaving for Battle Creek, Iowa, in the A.M. It was 71 here in Texas today. I may regret this reverse Spring Break trip.

P.S. This week I got all the Harleys cleaned up, running, lisenced, insured (still leak oil) ready for my return.
Melody Ranch is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2007, 09:39 PM   #30
4 Rivet Member
 
AZstreamin's Avatar
 
2005 30' Safari
Chandler , Arizona
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 497
Images: 4
I lived in Iowa for 12 years......thanks for reminding me why I like the desert....BTW spring training is in full swing... forecast for Saturday and Sunday 92 degrees....a bit hot a bit early but....no snow..
__________________
AZstreamin
"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."- Mark Twain








AZstreamin is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2007, 09:53 PM   #31
Rivet Master
 
BIGED52's Avatar
 
1967 22' Safari
MILAN , Illinois
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,013
Pigs!

Quote:
Originally Posted by john hd
day 3, more broken stuff, reinforcements arrive and saw some pigs! it is iowa after all!
Be very,very careful Pilgrim. Some farmers take offense to calling their women folk Pigs! LOL! Ed
__________________
1967 Safari Twin "Landshark" w/International trim package
2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Double Cab SLE
FORUMS MEMBER SINCE 12/16/2004AIR#7110
"My tire was thumping, I thought it was flat. When I looked at the tire, I noticed your CAT!" Burma Shave
BIGED52 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2007, 09:57 PM   #32
Rivet Master
 
cosmotini's Avatar

 
2021 27' Globetrotter
Saint Louis , Missouri
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,107
Images: 83
So John,

How was the skiing?
__________________
Dennis
BRN #20321 Air #4056
"Oooh - They have the Internet on computers now!" - Homer Simpson
cosmotini is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2007, 01:28 AM   #33
_
 
. , .
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 8,812
good pics john...

i'm not sure june is that much better...

http://www.airforums.com/forum...ed-17997.html?


cheers
2air'
__________________
all of the true things that i am about to tell you are shameless lies. l.b.j.

we are here on earth to fart around. don't let anybody tell you any different. k.v.
2airishuman is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2007, 03:09 AM   #34
Rivet Master
Commercial Member
 
Moonstruck's Avatar
 
1986 31' Sovereign
1975 25' Tradewind
1967 17' Caravel
Sherfield English , Hampshire
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 700
Send a message via MSN to Moonstruck Send a message via Yahoo to Moonstruck
OK John! You've talked me out of it!
__________________
Silvertwinkie
Hampshire, UK
Moonstruck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2007, 04:41 AM   #35
Retired Moderator
 
john hd's Avatar
 
1992 29' Excella
madison , Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
Images: 40
not all of the numbers are in yet but this is a sample.

2000 transmission poles broken
1000 distrubution poles broken

53% of all iowa customers in our service territory lost power at some time during the week. some were out for over 7 days (that would be most we saw)

it took 100+ big A linemen from wisconsin, 200 linemen from outside companies, and 500 contractors from all over the united states. furthest away i saw was a crew from virginia.

the guys from down south were really suffering as they are not used to the cold.

so far we have spent over half our budget for material for the year, thats for the entire company in one weeks time.

we call iowa the state of tolerance, as roger pointed out people were great and would stop by the job site to drop off hot coffee and rolls since we usually got to eat twice a day. 5:30 am and after 9 pm each day.

john
__________________
you call them ferrets, i call them weasels.
john hd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2007, 04:59 AM   #36
Moderator Emeritus
 
Pick's Avatar
 
1972 31' Sovereign
High Springs , Florida
Join Date: May 2002
Posts: 2,311
Images: 36
Send a message via AIM to Pick
A couple of my neighbors that work for contractors went up to St. Louis after the last "Big One" up there, a few weeks ago. They had called in about 3 times the manpower they needed, so their crew only did one transformer job, then came all the way back to Florida. They were really mad! Company they worked for lied and cheated them out of money. Several trucks did not have operating heaters. They were back in 3 days.
__________________
ARS WA8ZYT
2003 GMC 2500HD 4X4 D/A Ext. Cab
Propane Powered Honda EU2000i
Lots of Hot Sauce!
Air # 283
WBCCI 1350
Pick is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2007, 07:51 AM   #37
Rivet Master
 
norbert's Avatar
 
1993 30' Excella
whitewater , north of cheddar curtain
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,259
Images: 24
Quote:
Originally Posted by john hd
day 3, more broken stuff, reinforcements arrive and saw some pigs! it is iowa after all!
john, are you sure those arent ferrets?......

norby
__________________
Illegitimous noncarborundum(dont let the bastards wear you down)

The only true nobility is found through giving good food to your friends- Anton Careme

beauty is in the eye of the beerholder-cosmo fishhawk

if something is too good to be true, its usually gone before i get there-mister boffo
norbert is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2007, 08:06 AM   #38
4 Rivet Member
 
dmreilly10000's Avatar
 
1953 25' Cruiser
Canton , Mississippi
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: 1953 25' Cruiser
Posts: 324
Images: 14
From One Who Knows

After the initial Hurricane Katrina cleanup and restoration of power, it was said that the line crews were the most organized and prepared of all the groups providing relief.

Other groups have now used them as a model for emergency response.

You guys are the greatest!!!!
dmreilly10000 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2007, 03:36 PM   #39
Retired Moderator
 
john hd's Avatar
 
1992 29' Excella
madison , Wisconsin
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 4,644
Images: 40
Quote:
Originally Posted by norbert
john, are you sure those arent ferrets?......

norby
no norb, the smell is a dead give away!

john
__________________
you call them ferrets, i call them weasels.
john hd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2007, 08:43 PM   #40
Rivet Master
 
1963 19' Globetrotter
Currently Looking...
Orion , Illinois
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 714
Thumbs up

Thanks for the good work. I live in Moline and we had parts of the city without power for over a week because the damage was so bad.
63air is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Advice needed, and perhaps a tip or two. Curtis-79MH Airstream Motorhome Forums 12 06-26-2007 01:43 PM
Awning Tip jcanavera 2000 - 2004 Safari 3 08-29-2003 02:48 PM
Questions about the 2003 International. Would you buy again/fair price. Debbie 2002 - 2005 International 29 11-07-2002 04:11 PM
Airstream Forum Blues-suggestions for forum usage hex Our Community 18 10-20-2002 11:12 AM
Brakes replacement tip Charles Q Treichel Brakes & Brake Controllers 14 09-29-2002 05:23 AM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:33 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.