I've been pumping for 5 years... In my element There hasnt been anything I havent been able to work my out of, customers always very happy, no accidents, good deal. I've been working in a new element, and it seems like its my first day pumping. Stress, the new work conditions, different way of doing things, new situations never been in before, I cant figure out where im going wrong. So I figure... Years of experience means nothing? You can pump 20 years in your same element, same situations, same scenarios, and be a pro... Take that 20 years of experience vs. new place, different new scenarios what do you have? A rookie? I dont think so in my opinion, that experience helps but does not prevent you from plugging with mixes your not use too, getting stuck from soft ground your not use too, a little rough on the sticks because your use to invert controls. What do you think? I think experience is what matters... not the years... bc you can do the same thing, same bad habits for years... and not get anywhere. But Ive been beating myself up over this... Everyday I go to work feeling like a rookie when im not... In my element, customers have told me I was the smoothest operator they poured in the 10 years in the business, told me horror stories of roofs being ripped off, windows blown... never dont that.. Ive never lost system before until now... what the hell is going on here? Bc im kicking myself in nuts... a real blow to the ego.

Well I learned a while back experience is good but when in new environments listen to the experienced guys in your area and keep a open mind and willing to learn from even the less experienced in years but they may be able to help you with your troubles, and sometimes our luck just runs out and we have rough patches hang in there and a few more weeks you'll have it goin your way.

When i moved from holland to norway everything was different. Only thing I could be sure of was that the concrete was still grey. (most of the time) But I kept my eyes open and learned from all my new colleages and now I have the feeling i've become a much better operator than I was before. Sometimes I think back and think... My god... Did I think I knew everything. Because you've seen 2 different worlds and you can combine the knowledge of those 2 worlds you should have an advantage. 

Just a few thoughts

One cannot put a price on experience,it's the same everywhere.Imagine every senerio you wish in whatever part of the world,all the same.what is different is the human element and how one is percieved.

Been doing this stuff for 25 years, And learn something new everyday.

jj707 aren't you the operator that like to get close to power lines and listened to you trainer about its OK cause you make more money.

It also depends on what you've been doing in all those years. Have you always been driving the same machine for 12/15 years or did you drive everything in 5 years. small, medium, huge, realy old with black and white steering, very advanced Big line jobs or huge hights you name it. I would rather take the last guy than the 1st.

Only the type of cement used by the cocrete plant alone can make a big diverense.Normaly I be abel to prime out whit only water even whit the boom flat out,almoost never plug.then last year spring the plants have to change cement I felt like a rookie, 2 plugs in one week. I had to look for a diverend approach  

Spring cement is the worst. Demand falls in winter and so does the production, and when it suddenly rises again they don't have time or bother to adjust the production, so you get hot cement.
Around here May is a pain in the a...

And try to imagine pumping in the wet lands. standin 30 meters from your pump and feel the boombounce in your feet. and you can feel the next lood of concrete coming before you see it around the corner. 

yeah that was me big ed but i was let go from there, and the guy who had me doing this had 10+ yrs exp.,I'm training with a guy now thats has 2 yrs exp. and hes teaching me the rite way

[quote]Pumpsafe " I think experience is what matters... not the years... [\quote] Cant have one with out the other,if you dont put time in you cant get the experience. Once what ever you are working on is over , then you will have the "experience" for the next job that is similar.

Pump safe i hate to say it but 5yrs experiance is much at all , dont take offence but its not in this game , experiance is important , complacency kills ! Just remember you never stop learning .. If you know the basics , witch you do , you will be fine chin up listen and learn keep your eyes open and enjoy the learning curve!

Well said Drew.

It's not about the years. It's about what you've done and seen in that time.

I wish more operators thought like this.  You just don't know everything. And you never will. Learn what ya can and try to do it safe so you can go home at the end of the day.