Phonetek
02-20-2018, 08:17 PM
First off all I can say is I'm REALLY gonna enjoy this job. I started out learning how to open. Most of which I'll forget or have already forgotten, no biggie. Then I worked the counter for a few hours. It wasn't really busy but everything is pretty much point and click. It's all a matter of knowing where everything is. The rest is dealing with the customers, having a smile on your face and chatting them up. All pretty simple stuff.
Later I went behind the lanes. The mechanic gave me an information overload on how all that stuff works. The guy is excellent at his craft and takes pride in his work. Everything in the shop is just so, very organized and as idiot proof as you can make it. He literally has 2 pre-built assemblies ready for installation for just about every part of those machines in case anything goes wrong and he's not there. All ready to bolt right on.
He also has very detailed "How to" instructions that walk you step by step on replacing just about everything. Detailed preventative maintenance schedules & work logs. He already knows on each pinsetter what's up and coming and what will be breaking soon. He's been doing it 35yrs.
So far all I had to do besides listen carefully and watch the machines work was a few minor calls. One out of range, two stuck balls and a pin re-spot. After that we had to go clean up drywall off 3 lanes and gutters because some idiot launched a ball off the lane into a pillar along side the lanes. Then before I left and the leagues came in we had to clean the decks and run the oil machine which they do daily. It's very cool. The machines themselves actually announce over the loud speaker (in the back) when a rake is stuck down, out of range or other error occurs. The only thing the counter has to call back for is a stuck ball or re-spot for the most part.
I really feel like I'm learning from the right person to do this job right. I'm gonna try to pick his brain for every detail I can. Tomorrow I work the evening shift at the counter and bar. They are gonna be a fully packed house so I should be able to bring home some good tips. Finally a job where I'm not going to dread going into work every day for the first time in my life.
Later I went behind the lanes. The mechanic gave me an information overload on how all that stuff works. The guy is excellent at his craft and takes pride in his work. Everything in the shop is just so, very organized and as idiot proof as you can make it. He literally has 2 pre-built assemblies ready for installation for just about every part of those machines in case anything goes wrong and he's not there. All ready to bolt right on.
He also has very detailed "How to" instructions that walk you step by step on replacing just about everything. Detailed preventative maintenance schedules & work logs. He already knows on each pinsetter what's up and coming and what will be breaking soon. He's been doing it 35yrs.
So far all I had to do besides listen carefully and watch the machines work was a few minor calls. One out of range, two stuck balls and a pin re-spot. After that we had to go clean up drywall off 3 lanes and gutters because some idiot launched a ball off the lane into a pillar along side the lanes. Then before I left and the leagues came in we had to clean the decks and run the oil machine which they do daily. It's very cool. The machines themselves actually announce over the loud speaker (in the back) when a rake is stuck down, out of range or other error occurs. The only thing the counter has to call back for is a stuck ball or re-spot for the most part.
I really feel like I'm learning from the right person to do this job right. I'm gonna try to pick his brain for every detail I can. Tomorrow I work the evening shift at the counter and bar. They are gonna be a fully packed house so I should be able to bring home some good tips. Finally a job where I'm not going to dread going into work every day for the first time in my life.