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Hi Mike
Thanks for your response to my wintering over question–thanks too for the advice. I’m going to be a DRA (washing dishes mostly is what I understand) working in the kitchen at McMurdo. I’ve heard it’s one of the harder jobs but I’m thrilled! I’ve already been pq’d on my medical stuff and tomorrow I’m going to the dentist for a four hour long appointment to get all fixed up. My husband has a job offer too–he hasn’t been told he’s medically qualified yet but he should be able to find out by Friday. Thanks for such a great website with so much helpful info!
Big V
I hope I’ve posted this correctly, I’m a little new to the world of message boards 🙂Big V
Ah you’re a DA. A good “in” to the program. Most stay a year and then move to something else the next season. If you are in reasonable shape it’s not too hard a job. There are racks of glasses and coffee cups that get lifted to the dishwasher. You have to keep the coffee urns, ice cream and milk dispensers full. Usually you can get help with the heavy stuff. In 4 years I’ve only known one person who couldn’t do it. It can be the best or worst job depending on how you look at it.
With over a thousand people here in the summer it’s hard to get away with a small group and do anything. DA’s have the advantage that their work hours are during the rest of the community’s mealtimes. You will get your time off when the rest of the base is working. Normally that would be a drag but since the sun is up for 24 hours a day you will get all the time in the world to experience antarctica. You may also have an opportunity to help with the divers or scientists if you make it known to them that you have a day off in the middle of the week.
That’s the good side. The bad side is if you are a party person and want to drink and party with the rest of the kids here, then you will still be working when they get going. Not too much more, but work can get in the way of play a little.
What is your husbands job?
mike in mcmurdoHi Again Mike
Thanks for more info. I’m the type of person that can suck it up and do any job with a smile on my face–I’m sure it will work out great. I am in good physical shape too (I’m not really big, I just thought it was a good nickname :). My husband has a job as a materialsperson apprentice. Both of us are just so happy to finally get “in”! I see this being a year-after-year venture if everything works out. How many seasons have you been there?
Big (but not really) V
You’ll do fine. I’m in Materials or more rightly supply. I’m not sure about the apprentices. That’s something new this year. He may be part of the retro team that is going through all the old containers looking for things that we no longer need but have been storing for years. It will get him supply experience plus a lot of work driving the loaders. Mostly we use IT28 caterpiller loaders with forks in place of buckets. We also use a small Case M4K forklift that can drive into the containers. If he gets here in the first weeks of October, I’ll probably be the one training him.
Do you know for sure which dept he will be a materials person in?
Back to work
mikeHi Again Mike
I don’t know what department he’s working in specifically but he was hired by Darrell Kimmes. It sounds interesting to go through old containers–I bet there’s some weird stuff down there from all the past years. He’s a heavy equipment operator here so I’m sure he’ll be able to handle the forklifts just fine. His dental appt. today went great–he didn’t even have one cavity to fill (I think I had 7-8 filled yesterday… and of course they ran out of nitrous 🙂 ouch!). I should be all good to go now though….
VDarrell does a lot of the supply hiring, but he is in charge of the retro crew so that would make sense.The whole project was up in the air waiting on funding but the last I heard the funding came through. I was looking through the names and trying to match one up with your email address. I’m taking a guess that it’s Ron W. If it is it looks like he is tentetively scheduled on the 13th of October. That is all weather dependant. The dates can vary tremendously from plan.
I seem to be incredibly busy here these days, but if things slow down enough to email, I’ll try to give some more hints on what to bring and what to expect. Go ahead and list any questions you might have.
mike.Mike,
Bad news! R just got his med results and there’s one test he needs to retake. Something about high ALT level (liver-related), not really high but obviously too high for the companies medical standards (i.e. not nearly high enough for hepatitis or liver cancer). Of course, this is very suprising and upsetting to both of us. His doctor does not seem concerned with the number, told him it was no big deal and told him to abstain from all alcohol and come in on Monday and retest. Has this happened to anyone that you know that has actually made it there? Any info greatly appreciated…………..
VIf you look through the posts from the past you’ll see a number of references to passing the pq exam. It’s the reason I tell everyone to get the exam done as soon as you get it. It is very common for them to flag items and ask for a retest. One of my bosses used to comment that if you work in the Antarctic Program your family is going to think that you are dying, because they flag every little thing. The things you will flunk on are typically things that vary a lot depending on your lifestyle and diet. I’ve flunked enough times to not be worried about anything they find. My first flunk was a chest x-ray. They made me retake it several times over a period of time to determine that there was no problem. The next year it was creatinine levels. First test -one point over the limit, second test right where it should be. The next year it was low calcium by 2 points. I ate cheese and retook the test, It was normal. That’s the way it goes, you just have to make sure that you have enough time for the retests.
Dental is the same, They are pretty strict on dental and it’s not uncommon to have them come back and say they want teeth removed or a deep cleaning.
Keep me informed on what happens. I’ll bet if he drinks a lot of water and is hydrated (ask your doctor), he’ll pass with flying colors on the retest.
mikeThanks so much Mike, I have new hope! I’ll keep you updated–the retest for R is tomorrow, results should be mid-week.
VGood luck V.
how about prairie dog and the rest of the group coming down. Have you all passed the pq process?
mikeI have passed my physical and psych test’s and am having two wisdom teeth removed next week. I should be pq’ed after that. Mike I saw that you like the Ymca
Is that in downtown Christchurch and is it a hostel with dorm type rooms?
Prairie Dog.
Original Message
From: ANTARCTICMEMORIES@groups.msn.com
To: ANTARCTICMEMORIES@groups.msn.com
Sent: Monday, June 30, 2003 4:27 PM
Subject: Re: wintering over at McMurdo[font=Arial, size=4:sr0wrb9r]New Message on Antarctic memories[/font:sr0wrb9r] [font=Arial, Helvetica, Sans Serif:sr0wrb9r]wintering over at McMurdo[/font:sr0wrb9r]
ANTARCTICMEMORIES@groups.msn.com?subject=Re%3A%20wintering%20over%20at%20McMurdo [font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,Sans Serif:sr0wrb9r]Recommend[/font:sr0wrb9r] Message 10 in Discussion [font=Arial, Helvetica, Sans Serif:sr0wrb9r]From: [/font:sr0wrb9r][font=Arial, Helvetica, Sans Serif:sr0wrb9r]thepooles98[/font:sr0wrb9r] Good luck V.
how about prairie dog and the rest of the group coming down. Have you all passed the pq process?
mikeHi pd. Well congrats on passing everything. The wisdom teeth should just be a matter of getting it done. As to where to stay in Cheech, There are lot’s of nice little places. Lorie and I usually stay at the Windsor while coming and going. It’s a little more expensive, but they are nice people and take care of the Antarctic Crowd. The ymca is where we go when we have gotten off the ice and are staying in Cheech for a few weeks. They are less expensive and much nicer than staying in a hostel.
The rooms are clean and there are lots of toilets and showers on each floor so you shouldn’t have to wait. The good thing about the ymca is that it’s on the bus line. The bus out to the Antarctic center and the airport leaves every half hour from a half a block away. It’s also right next to the Arts Center, where you will end up if you are there on a weekend. It’s also next to the botanical gardens and walking distance to the Christchurch Museum.
That’s my choices. Windsor first then the YMCA. But all of them are nice.
You’ll want to make a stop at Baileys bar and grill on the square, it’s the patron bar of the antarctic program.
If you are lucky there will be storms going on down here. When that happens the flights back up and you’ll get extra time in Cheech. The bad side is you get up each morning at 4am go the Antactic Center just to find out that the flight is canceled. At least you get another full day to play.
mikeHi Pooles!
I just wanted to update you that my husband got pq’d!!! It’s such a relief to know that we can both go now. I hope to meet you in October on your way out if you’re still around. This is the best day :). I’m still hoping to winter-over but I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. Thanks again for this great website.
Big VI’m glad you passed the test. See, I told you to be patient. Just be glad that you got everything done early enough so you could do the retests.
I’m tentatively leaving on the 15th of October. If your husband is driving an M4k forklift then I’ll probably be the one to train him.
In the meantime ask all the questions you want about summering. Remember to bring a halloween costume and some nice clothes for Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners.
mike
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