Most of my tech management interviews where I was hired have been in the 4 hour range, And included meetings with several people and at least a lunch meeting if not a full dinner meeting. Then typically at least a second and often a third interview over 2 days. In several companies the last people I talked to were the…

This was in 1971. I had just gotten out of the Marine Corps where I had been a sergeant in charge of a 21 man electronics technical section. My hair was still short. The interview was with IBM for a job repairing typewriters. I walked into the room, and the interviewer said, “Stop right there! I’m not going to hire…

Once upon a time frequent flier miles were actually a decent reward for the airlines most dependable customers, those people who actually flew a lot. Today, most frequent flier miles are handed out to people using an airline branded credit card who may only fly once a year while the actual frequent fliers are…

As the former owner of a security company. Burglars rarely pick locks. In my entire time working with security I did not see one instance of a home or business that was burgled by picking a lock. Doors were kicked in, windows broken, and in one case a concrete block wall was broken through. But not one had their lock…

As a little taller than average guy who flies a lot I have no problem helping shorter people with putting their gear in the overhead bins. Please, instead of standing in the aisle looking helpless or making a fool of yourself trying to do it yourself, just ask and I will help. Please don’t be afraid to ask for help. I…

And because of the jerks that think trolling is socially acceptable it probably eventually will be.

I have used this technique before. My own is, “What do you want me to drop to take this on?”

IAD - I have been bumped several times by senate, congress, supreme court - NOT the actual Senator, Congressman or Judge, but by their entourage, which can be a dozen or more people that must travel with the official. Usually they don’t even bother to book a flight, just show up and bump paying passengers because they…

This happened to my sister in Mississippi. The car broke a pin in the transmission & rolled down a hill to crash into another parked car. It was a loaner from a car dealer and their insurance picked up the damages. The cop that investigated did tell her to turn her wheels into the curb when parking, but no ticket.

Cold Turkey

Way back in 1962 we did exactly this in a high school class. This made a big impression on a kid who had never had more that $5 in my pocket at one time. For the first time I understood what my parents were going through trying to make ends meet. We had a salary, a checkbook, a choice of rentals, utility bills, a…

Cash flow - most people think they understand it and most of them don't.

If you made your reservations through a real travel agent and not some el-cheapo internet 3rd party discounter, call your agent instead of the airline desk. They will handle everything and call you back. They often have local numbers in other countries as well. And the agent will have backline and VIP numbers they can…

Amps are not all used. The amp rating of a charger is the amount of amperage available, not the amount that will be used. ONLY the amount needed is actually used. If your battery is overheating, then something is wrong with that battery. It is NOT due to using a too high amperage charger. However, some cheap chargers…

This is the biggest most expensive military boondoggle yet and there have been many other really stupid things done by them. The is is a repeat of the old TFX project that eventually became the F111. It was supposed to be used by all 3 services and just like the F35 it FAILED! the Navy and Marine corps because it was…

I have a corner desk with a deep corner. I currently have 3 monitors and would like to add a 4th above my center monitor. Nearly every mount clamps on the edge of the desk. Meaning they are useless to me. (The clamp mount puts the monitor too far away or off on one side) The alternative is to drill into my desk top.…

I have a corner desk with a deep corner. I currently have 3 monitors and would like to add a 4th above my center…

Not necessarily. Not every electrician wires things to code. And expecting the fan to be wired to code can get you hurt. If the guy that originally wired the fan ran the common side through the switch (not to code) then the hot is always there to zap you if you touch hot and earth ground. Also, some fans have 2…

My professional meter, A Fluke model 87 cost over $300 nearly 15 years ago. Today that same meter list price is over $400. My old one still passes yearly certification. It has been dropped, over voltaged, over curented, used in a variety of hostile environments and maltreated by the airlines. It has been back to the…

As a professional, I do turn the power off first, then check it with my meter to be sure it is off. Only 115 volts can kill. ( 12 V can kill also, but is far less likely) And if you screw up once - that could be your last. Before doing any electrical work, at least learn the basics, and the basics include the safety…

I did exactly this my first winter living in South Carolina after moving from San Diego. We actually had more than the normal amount of snow that year and I got several chances to slide around a local parking lot. It was a lot of fun and I learned a lot about how to control a RWD car in snow & ice without the risk of…