Going Back to Nuke Plant

Mixed emotions about this decision. Money is good. Long hours not good on old body. This time as foreskin leading team Metrology. Normally, during an outage, techs are offered an upgrade to see if a) they are potential supervisor material, b) they are too old and broken to climb on pipes c) see if they like it.

But, with Diablo scheduled to shut down 2024/2025, a) half the shop set sail while the getting was good and other jobs abundant, b) the other half retired out early (exaggerating of course), meaning the they took me up on my offer of >2x pay and supervisory position to limit walking and physical work. Then they decided to extend plant operations. So all of the 'limp the plant across the finish line' is history. Now, deferred maintenance is over due.

KB, DCPP is PWR. We're going into ALL MSR's, FWH's, RCP's, underground wiring Tan-Delta testing, main xmfr testing, Rod Control. Never seen work load this large.  Scheduled for 38 days, RIGHT.

I KNOW they will ask me to stay on longer. Ain't gonna happen. 

I believe in nuclear power. I'm dedicated to clean carbon free energy. Just wish my stupid government would re-process spent fuel, build new plants, offer same subsidy as for so-called 'green' energy. Sigh Sigh.

So my all-ready stalled KZ projects wait a longer time line.  The 80 sits waiting for love. The 79 for water pp seal install, refurb carbs, new ignition coils.

Maybe KawBoy will finish the house and take outside work on? LOL.

Like you guys. Be good humans.

I'm not looking forward to this, but the dollar carrot and possibility of a real shop, indoors, with AC and power has hooked me.
Tired of working where to touch a wrench requires gloved hands to prevent burning.

Time will tell if this was a wise decision or "A fool and his money are soon departed."

Sigh. Sigh. Sigh.

I know. I should be happy, to be so fortunate. Make some decent money for an approx 12 week period. 
Then again...

d

 

I haven't had to deal with the +100F temperatures you Californians have had but the sun's intensity this year has been extreme compared to prior years. I've had to stop working on the 3 season room at 2:00 pm because the aluminum facia material was so hot it burnt my hands so I can see why a workshop should be in your future. if it means going back to work for 12 weeks to make that happen, then the means justifies the end.
I live in a small subdivision full of retired people and the average age is about 70-75 years of age. In the past 4 months, there's been an ambulance in here picking up residents about once a week, so I've been taking this to heart. Last year (July) I came close to death with an internal intestinal bleed and lost 5 units of blood in 2 hours. it's made me realize that there is an end and it could come sooner than I would hope for.
I could have gone back to work on contract many times over the last 14 years of retirement but the wife and I decided to enjoy retirement. She had cancer 37 years ago and Radiation, Chemotherapy and Hormone therapy took a toll on her longevity and as such it's caused us to pause and certainly had an affect on our decision making as to what's really important to us.
12 weeks of pain for a workshop is not a big deal and then you can work away on your projects in comfort. The whole idea of working on things that give you pleasure is what retirement is all about. It's your reward for a lifetime of working.
As far as compensation for the contract- Our wages here in Canada didn't show the compensation package that our business had to contribute on our behalf. That benefit package was worth $25 per hour (unemployment insurance, medical and dental insurance , plus retirement package contributions) so when OPG brought back retired personnel on contract the wages included their wage plus the $25 per hour that they would have had to pay for regular staff. On top of this is the fact that as a contracted individual, we were able to write off the costs associated with working under contract like travel to and from the jobsite, the vehicle and all operating costs plus uniforms and personal safety equipment etc. 
It's a good gig for a retired person but it can rope you in to more and more contracting . We used to refer to it as "The Golden Handcuffs". Just be careful not to get sucked in to the Black Hole.
Cheers,
KB