How do you earn a living?

[Captainkirk]

Well....how do you?
Farmer? Lumberjack? Computer programmer? Rocket scientist? Tell us about it.

[Captainkirk]

Shy, huh?
OK, I'll start...
I maintain a Dassault Falcon 2000 for a corporate flight department. Been an A&P/IA for over 3 decades maintaining all kinds of GA aircraft and owned a maintenance business up until a year ago when I left for greener pastures due to the failing economy (Thanks, Obama!)

[mike116]

I was an A&P mechanic for 21 years and also an Aerial Application Specialist (crop duster) for just as long.   When my partner retired we sold the entire business.   I was able to work for a large construction company for a grand total of 5 days before I told the Superintendent to go F**k himself. 
I started making custom cabinets and started a remodeling business which I still do.   I don't work well with others so I am now the only employee of my company.   
My wife says my boss is an asshole.

[Electric Miner]

I'm an industrial diagnostic electrician, and a certified electronic instrumentation technician working in the mining industry.

[mazo kid]

  Well Mike, your wife should know! There is obviously a gentler, nicer side to you though! I am a retired electrician, worked the first 12 years in construction and on a service truck. Took the State test and got hired on as a maintenance electrician. Worked in the State Capitol, Office buildings, Governor's Mansion, etc. Settled later in just a couple of office buildings. Very interesting work, and best of all, retired with a decent pension at age 62.

[mike116]

Well Mike, your wife should know! There is obviously a gentler, nicer side to you though!

I am actually a real sweetheart Mazo.

[Captainkirk]

Well Mike, your wife should know! There is obviously a gentler, nicer side to you though!

I am actually a real sweetheart Mazo.

And one hell of a leathersmith!

[Fingers McGee]

I've been a mechanic, soldier, Equipment Specialist (glorified mechanic supervisor) Quality Assurance Specialist and middle management.

Started working as a mechanic in a gas station, then a Datsun Dealership, then a Dodge dealership up until the point that Uncle Sam said he wanted me to wear a green uniform.  Was a tank/self propelled artillery mechanic till I saw the light and became a Warrant officer supervising mechanics and maintenance staff.  Went off active duty after about 11 years and went to work for the Army as a civilian.  Concurrently served in the National Guard in combat heavy engineer battalion and a support level maintenance battalion as Support level maintenance and repair technician automotive, and engineer equipment until I retired in 1994 as a CWO4  My Army civil service jobs included equipment specialist for combat vehicles, Quality Assurance Specialist, and Maintenance Manager in an installation material maintenance support maintenance shop until my retirement in 2003.

Been having fun ever since drawing a retirement check for 32 years of federal service as a soldier and civilian.

[mike116]

Well Mike, your wife should know! There is obviously a gentler, nicer side to you though!

I am actually a real sweetheart Mazo.

And one hell of a leathersmith!

Forgot to mention that earlier,  I make part of my living doing leather work.   It works well for me since it's another job where I can work alone.   Independence is a wonderful thing.
Thanks Capt.

[StrawHat]

I have had 5 careers.  From High School, I put my way through college working in the Merchant Marine.  After college, I could take a job in a new career making opening wages or continue working as a licensed engineer, so I stay in the Merchant fleet until 1982 when the steel mills slowed/stopped.  No steel meant they did not need ore and my fleet were ore ships.  I came ashore, got married and convinced the State of Ohio that I was good LEO material.  After about 10years of that, I went through a rough divorce and quit being a cop.  I had been a decent carpenter so I went into construction.  First my own company.  Got married again.  Settled in a medium size firm that worked in all 50 states but my territory was only Ocean to Ocean, Gulf to Great Lakes.  Eventually, my wife developed health issues and I needed to work closer to home so I latched onto a local firm.  Less than a year there and the big economic crunch hit so I was laid off.  I knew at my age and salary, they were not going to call me back, at least not for a while.  Herself let me stay home a bit and then suggested I sharpen knives for folks.  What a gal!  Been supporting the family as a sharpener since 2008.  When I was copping, I also did S&W gunsmithing.  Of them all, the sharpening has truly been the most successful and most interesting.  And it is based on something Pop taught me back before I went to school.  Thanks Pop!  (co-incidently, Pop would have been 97 today.  He spent his 24th birthday in the engineroom of a tanker going to Normandy.)

Kevin

[Mad Dog Stafford]

Most of you all know about me. I'm on SSI. I don't like it. Boring as heck!
Kimmy is the bread winner here. Really, my job title is "House Boy"...what Kimmy calls me. 
I thought about working part time at McDonald's but Kimmy don't want my butt over there. 
Portageville, MO. is a very small town. Not really any jobs here for a deaf guy like me.
I do try to buy small stuff at yardsales and resale on e-bay or Facebook. I do make a little money that way.
I pick up pop and beer cans and make a little money there.
I keep my eye out for people that will pay me to cut their grass.
That's about it........

[Captainkirk]

Most of you all know about me. I'm on SSI. I don't like it. Boring as heck!
Kimmy is the bread winner here. Really, my job title is "House Boy"...what Kimmy calls me. 
I thought about working part time at McDonald's but Kimmy don't want my butt over there. 
Portageville, MO. is a very small town. Not really any jobs here for a deaf guy like me.
I do try to buy small stuff at yardsales and resale on e-bay or Facebook. I do make a little money that way.
I pick up pop and beer cans and make a little money there.
I keep my eye out for people that will pay me to cut their grass.
That's about it........

You should take up home BP gunsmithing, Sam. Seriously. I bet you'd do good at it.

[Mad Dog Stafford]

Captainkirk, I thought about that but, I didn't want to take any work away from you. 

[Captainkirk]

Captainkirk, I thought about that but, I didn't want to take any work away from you. 

I haven't touched a gun in months. I've got a job. Go for it.

[HAWKEN50]

   I have been a farmer,raising beef cattle. Was a machinist for a couple of years worked in retail couple of years. For the last 30 years i have been a dispatcher and a truck driver at the local papermill. More or less a jack of all trades but master of none. Oh and have been doing gunsmith work for a couple of shops here in town.