Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

This story did not happen to me, but it could have quite easily. The day driller had picked up his crew and as they were leaving to go to the rig, one of his roughnecks said, “Mr. Smith, could you stop at the 7-11 store up ahead? My wife did not have anything to fix for my lunch. I need to get something for lunch.”

So, they stop and wait a few minutes for this worker to rush in and buy something for his lunch.
Later In their workday, the driller walked by his crew who had taken a lunch break. This roughneck who had bought his lunch at the 7-11 said, “Mr. Smith, have you noticed that Wolf Brand Chili aint as good as it used to be?”

The driller looked down at what the roughneck was eating and saw it was a can of Alpo, a dog food! He also realized if he told the roughneck he had made a mistake due to both products being in red labels, the roughneck would probably get sick and not be able to work the rest of the day! So the driller said, “yes, I have noticed that!”

He knew that they were moving the rig and had to have all the hands to help until the rig had been moved.
I worked all one summer on a crew where one of the roughnecks regularly bought 2 bottles of whiskey each day after work and drank both each evening! No, it wasn’t me. I sent all the money home in preparation for college, other than my food and board.

I do remember one experience where we were one crew short, so each of the two remaining crews worked 12-hour shifts! When we completed the well, Haliburton came out and cemented the well, and we had to wait and then go back in the well and drill the cement plug. All in all our crew put in 36 hours straight! I was so tired I could hardly sit down in the car to go home! Just Sayin…RJS

Jer Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸

Mr. Smith was a smart man. I wonder if the roughneck started scratching behind his ear later that day 😀

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Probably, and howling at the moon! Just Sayin...RJS

Jer Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸

Yup. No doubt. 😀

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Commander Bell must have triggered this post with his "Have you ever eaten pet food? Post" And that Wolf Brand Chili is awesome. You got me hooked on that one Robert.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Well, I stand corrected on the origin of Chili. I had always thought it was originally made as a cheap meal for prisoners in the San Antonio jail, and later as a quick street food prepared by Mexican ladies working from push carts in the streets.
'
Later, I learned the origin of Chili in Texas was from families who migrated to San Antonio from the Canary Islands! Small World! Just Sayin...RJS

hueey Loc: Lake Fork Tx

Or licking his ⚾️⚾️⚾️😜

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Man, you do not know roughnecks! They probably do that without eating Alpo! Just Sayin...RJS

hueey Loc: Lake Fork Tx

Ya you are probably right, I never did when I worked on the rigs, but knew some that would try almost anything.

did you ever ride the geronimo?

Passingbye Loc: Reidsville NC

Your story just makes me glad I learned to read, I too have worked in the Texas oil industry and know what it's like to grab food and go on the fly, but I would've paid closer attention to what I'm grabbing 😝 it might not kill ya but it definitely would've made me 🤮

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

I have never tried Alpo! But did have to go up in the derrick with a sledge hammer to drive the bolts through the holes that clamped the monkey board to the derrick.

Later the driller wanted me to go up and work on the monkey board to make a connection. I said I would, but I had to have derrick man's pay. He refused, and so did I. Since I have had relatives killed working the derrick, I really didn't want to be up there, but would have for the extra pay. Just Sayin...RJS

hueey Loc: Lake Fork Tx

I preferred the Derrick position. Had a view of pretty much everything going on the rig.
I think this goes back to my younger years.
I would travel with my dad to the rigs he was over I would get out and go rabbit hunting while he was taking care of his business. Many times dad would have 2 or 3 rig working in the area and would leave one to go check another rig
I would stay at the rig and as soon as dad left location I would go find the derrickman and talk him in going up the Derrick to the Derrick board.
He would help me get on the Geronimo and let me ride it down.
I had no fear of heights it was really fun.

Jer Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸

😀😀😀😀😀

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

You are a wild man, Hueey! I had a first cousin, Orsie Johnson, who went all the way through WW II in the infantry, from the D Day landing to the Battle of the Bulge. He was seriously wounded there and waked up in a French hospital. When he got home, about six weeks later he was working in the derrick and the driller pulled the rig in on him and he was killed! It was something I was always leery of going up there. Just Sayin...RJS