amusing phone call

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hardworkingstiff

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Wilmington, NC
Someone I know asked if he could give my name and number to an "electrician" he had met that was looking for work. I said sure.

I got the call. Starts out with pleasantries. During the intro, he says he worked for the union for 8 years. I asked him if he was an electrician or an electricians helper. Answer, electrician! Following is the rest of the conversation.

Me: Do you mind if I ask you a few questions.

He: Sure go ahead.

Me: Can you tell me what ohms law is?

He: Ugh, ugh, no.

Me: If you are using 30 degree bends to make a 10" offset in a conduit, how far apart should your marks be?

He: It was a very long answer that said nothing (I can't remember what he exactly said).

Me: What is the take up on a 1/2" emt bender?

He: It's been a while since I bent pipe, I don't remember.

Me: Can you tell me what the ampacity is of a #12 wire?

He: Ugh, Ugh, 100?

Me: I'll call you if I need you, bye!
 
I recall going to a school job years ago and end up working with the owners little brother.

I asked him how long he's been an electrician, and he said "8 years now."

I thought, "Great! I don't have to babysit this guy. Now maybe we can get something done!"



First thing he asks me is how to bend 1/2" EMT. :mad:
 
So...... some of you sage guys out there gonna share the test questions you have for new employees?

One carpenter I know has the question to count from 0 to 1" in 16ths. If they go 1/16th, 2/16ths, 3/16ths the interview is over.
 
Me: Can you tell me what ohms law is?
He: Ugh, ugh, no.
Me: If you are using 30 degree bends to make a 10" offset in a conduit, how far apart should your marks be?
He: It was a very long answer that said nothing (I can't remember what he exactly said).
Click to expand...

Ohm's law of 1826 states that if the ambiant temperature remains constant, the current flowing through certain conductors is proportional to the potential difference(voltage) across it. In other words, current equals voltage divided by resistance. "C" is current, "I" is voltage, and "R" is resistance in the equation and diagrams.
[SIZE=+3]C=I/R[/SIZE]
(above) based on Google

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Darn, I couldn't just spit out ohm law! :confused: I frankly had to go look for it on the I-net. I knew it existed I surely won't expect to have to pra-phase it!

And it took me a minute on the correct cosecant/mutiplier of 2, too. I always forget that one ... and that depends on the Bender.

30? bends are popular for making offsets, because the cosecant of 30? is 2. Also, most small EMT hand benders are designed so that the bender handle is straight up when a 30? bend has been made with the conduit on the floor.
Common angles and their cosecants​
Angle 10? 22.5? 30? 45? 60?
Cosecant 5.76 2.6 2.0 1.414 1.15

(above based on Google)

Yeah my co-workers get a kick out of me, wait till I ask for the cosecant of that bend, LOL

Good show, Lou
 
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I once saw a guy who said he was in the trade since 98 use two gem boxes to cut in a two gang switch box. Yea and he didnt put them together the way God ment them to be. He just cut a hole big enough to fit the two device boxes side by side and couldnt figure out why it wouldnt sit right.
 
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did anyone ever see the episode of "monster house" where they electrician faked his resume and couldn't do the job? they showed him adding some switches and receps in an existing wall; he had cut gigantic holes in the drywall to give him the clearance to swing his hammer to nail up the boxes! that was clue #1. anyway, they just kept showing him standing around scratching his head. finally, steve took him aside and asked if he knew what he was doing. he came out and apologized to everyone that he lied. they got someone else to finish it, way beyond the scheduled completion time, but steve gave them all the prize tools anyway.
 
brantmacga said:
did anyone ever see the episode of "monster house" where they electrician faked his resume and couldn't do the job? they showed him adding some switches and receps in an existing wall; he had cut gigantic holes in the drywall to give him the clearance to swing his hammer to nail up the boxes! that was clue #1. anyway, they just kept showing him standing around scratching his head. finally, steve took him aside and asked if he knew what he was doing. he came out and apologized to everyone that he lied. they got someone else to finish it, way beyond the scheduled completion time, but steve gave them all the prize tools anyway.
Click to expand...


That was one of the best episodes ever... is that show on anymore?
 
brantmacga said:
did anyone ever see the episode of "monster house" where they electrician faked his resume and couldn't do the job? they showed him adding some switches and receps in an existing wall; he had cut gigantic holes in the drywall to give him the clearance to swing his hammer to nail up the boxes! that was clue #1. anyway, they just kept showing him standing around scratching his head. finally, steve took him aside and asked if he knew what he was doing. he came out and apologized to everyone that he lied. they got someone else to finish it, way beyond the scheduled completion time, but steve gave them all the prize tools anyway.
Click to expand...
yea i saw that one.right from the start i kept thinking this guy does'nt know whats he's doing.he tried to blame why things didnt work on a bad recpt.
 
Probably an unemployed actor looking for more tv work to add to his resume. I've been in this trade since 1976, and I cannot remember what you add to the distance for a back to back using a 3/4" bender at this moment. I remember 1/2" is 2-1/4" but not for 3/4". Do I have to turn in my licenses now?
 
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Sometimes, what's equally entertaining isn't their answers to your questions, but the questions they ask you. Things like "how long until medical insurance takes effect", "how many days a year do we get to take off", "do you do drug testing", "What's the policy on lateness". These question can be for completely benign reasons, but they always tweak my ear.
 
hardworkingstiff said:
One carpenter I know has the question to count from 0 to 1" in 16ths. If they go 1/16th, 2/16ths, 3/16ths the interview is over.
Click to expand...

My problem is that I would miss things like this. If I caught on, I'd probably make a joke, such as 1.6mm, 3.2mm, 4.8mm....I know how to reduce fractions but I would likely simply miss the need to do so.

-Jon
 
Ohms Law: Rain is 'Eavy over India :)

R = E/I.

Or, draw it as a triangle with a horizontal line through the middle, with E ('eavy) above the line, I (India) below the line, and then add the leftover letter R below the line, 'cos theres lots of space there. Then put finger on the item you want, and the triangle tells you what to do with the other two knowns toio get your unknown...
 
mdshunk said:
..."do you do drug testing"... These question can be for completely benign reasons, but they always tweak my ear.
Click to expand...

Stupid question for a prospective employee to ask. RED FLAG.

If they are stoners they will reveal themselves soon enough. Like the time one of our guys left his stash in the shop in a big paper sack. (more like his stash and enough stash for ten of his freinds).

Stupid people should not use this substance, as it enhances stupidness. :cool:

He even kept a box of sythetic urine handy for special occasions.
 
hardworkingstiff said:
Someone I know asked if he could give my name and number to an "electrician" he had met that was looking for work. I said sure.

I got the call. Starts out with pleasantries. During the intro, he says he worked for the union for 8 years. I asked him if he was an electrician or an electricians helper. Answer, electrician! Following is the rest of the conversation.

Me: Do you mind if I ask you a few questions.

He: Sure go ahead.

Me: Can you tell me what ohms law is?

He: Ugh, ugh, no.

Me: If you are using 30 degree bends to make a 10" offset in a conduit, how far apart should your marks be?

He: It was a very long answer that said nothing (I can't remember what he exactly said).

Me: What is the take up on a 1/2" emt bender?

He: It's been a while since I bent pipe, I don't remember.

Me: Can you tell me what the ampacity is of a #12 wire?

He: Ugh, Ugh, 100?

Me: I'll call you if I need you, bye!
Click to expand...

I wouldn't know what answer you were looking for if you asked me what ohm's law was. I'd give you the formula. I'd answer your 30 degree bend question, as I use them whenever possible. I'd guess at your 1/2 EMT take up, and tell you I'm guessing, because we never use anything smaller than 3/4 in NYC.

Anyone who doesn't know the ampacity of #12 must have been in the Teamsters union.
 
macmikeman said:
Probably an unemployed actor looking for more tv work to add to his resume. I've been in this trade since 1976, and I cannot remember what you add to the distance for a back to back using a 3/4" bender at this moment. I remember 1/2" is 2-1/4" but not for 3/4". Do I have to turn in my licenses now?
Click to expand...
2 1/2 now turn in your bender not your licence you will make a great contractor.
 
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