Steel Stories

Scott's back in steelwork and since he has no fear of heights, he was volunteered to do some work 26+ feet up in the air. So, he headed up the ladder only to discover the ladder stopped about five feet short of the piece of steel he needed to mount. After analyzing the situation, he begrudgingly made his was back down the ladder. Another Seabee was volunteered. He too made his way up--and down. There was no lone left to be talked into volunteering, so Scott decided to give it another go. He climbed up the ladder and reconsidered the possibilities. His chief called him down, told him to forget about it. Did he not realize that was as good as a double dog dare??? Scott yanked himself into a partial chin-up and swung his body onto the beam before finally being able to tie-off for safety. (There's a reason steelwork is the second most dangerous job.) I'm sure he was quite pleased with himself, that is until a chief ten years his senior walked onto the job site, strutted over to an I-beam that was straight up in air, and managed to shimmy up the thing in no time. Granted, the chief is a journeyman steelworker, but I'm sure it was a bit deflating. In any event, it made for an interesting first day back in steelwork and a great story that is sure to get greater with time. By the time he gets home, I bet the steel beam will have been at least 40 feet in the air!