[EAS] What we do...and won't do

[Kelly D. Alford]

One of the radio stations in the Seattle area where I was the CE used to run the TX site 24/7 on generator.  Every week our transmitter engineer would drive up to the mountain top site and swap generators, then service the generator that had been running the previous week.  This involved an oil and filter change, sometimes fuel filter, or other maintenance items.  I recall when my TX engineer went on vacation, I needed to go up and do the weekly service.  The GM at the time was a total jerk, requiring the Chief to be in a dress shirt, slacks, plus tie during regular business hours, which I was.  I was even required to ask permission of the GM to leave the station to do any work outside, even the TX site (he said that all engineers weren't trustworthy, and that was during my interview for the position!).

So up the mountain I went, donned coveralls and started working.  Since I had just swapped generators, the one being serviced was still hot.  I proceeded to drain the several gallons of used motor oil and started removing the oil filters.  There were two engine oil filters on the engine, each about four times the size of an average Fram PH8 automotive filter.  When I started unscrewing the hot filter, I used a rag to insulate my hands from the hot case.  Hot oil started running around the edge of the filter and I lost my grip, dropping the filter bottom first onto the concrete floor.  Of course about a quart of hot, black, smelly oil flew up like a geyser, right into my chest, running down my front.  Needless to say, the coveralls were no match for that much oil all at once.  I completed the service, 50% covered in oil and headed for home to change out of my completely ruined clothes.  After just arriving at home, my cell phone rang and it was the GM: "Where are you?  You should have been back by now!"  I explained the situation, indicating that I'd be back in about thirty minutes.  When arriving to the office, now in fresh clothes, the receptionist said the GM wanted to see me when I arrived.  I then got scolded for being away too long and that if it happened again, I would be looking for a new gig.  My previous employer contacted me the following week, asking if I'd like to come back as the group DOE.  Needless to say, I jumped at the opportunity.

Karma being what it is; the GM at the station mentioned here was fired a month after I left.  The moral of the story: If the GM makes a comment during the interview that he doesn't trust engineers, don't take the job.

Kelly D. Alford
General Manager of Production and Operations
Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc.
Springfield, VA 22153