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Dresden

Above Average
8 (12.7%)
Average
12 (19%)
Below Average
43 (68.3%)

Total Members Voted: 19

Author Topic: Dresden  (Read 47283 times)

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Offline Rennhack

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Dresden
« on: Jul 22, 2001, 06:59 »
Don't forget to vote.  Keep your comments civil.

« Last Edit: Dec 08, 2007, 02:38 by Camella Black »

Offline Rennhack

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Dresden
« Reply #1 on: Nov 30, 2002, 09:24 »
Talk About: Dresden

Pet_Cow

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Re: Rate Dresden
« Reply #2 on: Dec 21, 2002, 08:57 »
I have never lived in a place with unfriendly cold people as in Northern Illinois. However, how can you not love working for a guy named Harry Bush.

rlbinc

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Re: Rate Dresden
« Reply #3 on: Dec 21, 2002, 09:42 »
Quad without the glitter...

DainJer

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Re: Rate Dresden
« Reply #4 on: Dec 22, 2002, 09:01 »
Quad has glitter?   lmao
well from the contractor view...at least quad had trailers
instead of tents....but the dose was nearly triple, dresden.
dresden treated us like cattle.
a few good techs there....roadies done an awesome job..of course some house attitude...but the rent-a-techs took well enough care of us that the house hardly ever dealt with us.

Offline DecommMan

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #5 on: Jun 24, 2004, 09:05 »
Nice local golfing place - Braidwood Fairways.  In Braidwood - close to Braidwood Plant in addition to Dresden plants.
Decomm Man

Offline mahalo

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #6 on: Jul 11, 2004, 11:11 »
Plants like Dresden That are very unfriendly have good Hourly, great P/D, and great Bonus's
I don't go the the Illinois plants for fellowship I go for MONEY and as long as they keep up that anti-Carnie attitude then they will keep increasing that Bonus Where else can you work 15 to 18 weeks a year and take home >$40K

Offline Dave Warren

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #7 on: Jul 12, 2004, 11:32 »
This is probably one of the most oppressive places in the world to work. I am embarrassed to be from Northern Illinois when this subject comes up. There are a few ex-road techs (now house mice) that don't look at you like you just quit Wendy's to work the outage. Other than that, you will get the same old "Carnie" comments, which is their politically correct version of.........well, I can't say what they used to call us. You have all the great venues in Chicago: great food, venerable Wrigley Field, The Magnificent Mile, and many more.....just a 30 minute ride away.
Put this place on your no-go list when you select your outage schedule.
One mans opinion......

Offline let-it-ride

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #8 on: Jul 12, 2004, 01:41 »
Here if my experience at Dresden.
During the last day of inprocessing, about 30 of us met with the RPM. He welcomed us and passed out keys for the HP supply cabinets. He told us we would have to pay $25 if we lost it.
Now, here is the good part. He said we were to turn the keys in when we got LAID OFF or FIRED, which ever CAME FIRST!!!
We laughed at that, he did too. However he said he was serious. Turn the keys in when we got laid off or fired, whichever came first.
Guess what, the next day I quit.

spongerob

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #9 on: Nov 15, 2004, 07:05 »
heard rumor. whats going on at dresden. can any one give me some info.

Offline NightCrawler

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #10 on: Nov 16, 2004, 03:14 »
What is the rumor that you heard?

spongerob

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #11 on: Nov 17, 2004, 07:49 »
That they had to bring unit down. Don't know why!

Offline Already Gone

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #12 on: Nov 18, 2004, 05:35 »
Here's the unofficial scoop up to now.
Both units were experiencing higher than normal vibrations in the Main Generator bearings.  Unit 2 reduced power to reduce vibrations, and in September it was shut down to check out the generator.  It was restarted about a week later, but the vibrations continued to increase until power was reduced again.
During the Unit 3 refuel outage, a crack was discovered in the Main Generator rotor while it was being inspected at the GE Service Shop in Chicago.  The plant decided that this was enough to warrant them shutting down unit 2 again so that its rotor could be inspected.  A crack was also found in that machine at the same place.  The rotor was shipped to Chicago, where they are both being repaired by the GE Service Shop.
Both generator rotors will be reinstalled within a couple of weeks.  So far, this has had minimal impact on the unit 3 outage.  It might actually get to restart on schedule despite the additional repairs.
The site is using the forced outage of unit 2 as an opportunity to do some inspections in that unit's reactor after the unit 3 refuel is completed.

On a personal note; I'm having a wonderful time here.  Though I'm not working in RP, I have noticed that the contract RP techs are having a pretty good time too.  Well, at least they don't seem miserable.  I had expected a lot worse, due to all the stories I'd been hearing about Exelon and Dresden over the years.  It's true that they have a different organizational setup than other plants (contractors and house personnel are not permitted to work for the same supervisor or do the same work), but I don't see much animosity between the house and contract techs.  They pretty much just do their own thing, and leave each other in peace.  I'll try to update once things are a little more certain.
"To be content with little is hard; to be content with much, impossible." - Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach

dykeHP

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #13 on: Dec 08, 2004, 01:02 »
How about all the free cash. What else can you say about 8 weeks at dresden. They have completed both turbine repairs and are finishing up with some issues with the reactor head. Unit 3 is on line and unit 2 should be up by the 10th or 11th.
Wow do I like using other peoples log ins.
Daniel Frew Tech for life

radgal

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #14 on: Feb 24, 2005, 03:38 »
P.S to Dave Warren's post.....Joliet is about 15-20 min away and Chicago is about 1 hour away if you don't go during rush hour.

Aerosquirl

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #15 on: Aug 04, 2005, 01:44 »
So, let it ride, why did you quit??  Contemplating going there this fall.  Been to Palisades and Fermi, liked Fermi, hated Palisades.  Whats the area like?? From what I have read on the site, big union place and contract scum isn't welcomed to well.  Did I get it right??  ::)

foreverajr

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #16 on: Aug 05, 2005, 11:17 »
I worked Dresden a couple of times.  Interesting place.  We were so short staffed that I only go to leave the floor for a total of thrity minutes the entire night.  I worked 13 to 14 hours every day.  It was hard to keep a smile on my face at times. The weather was miserable, the people were miserable.  I was asked to come back once.  Told them that I would, but they had to pay me more money (I was a jr then).  They paid me senior pay, so it made it somewhat better, but I wouldn't go back now.   There was a nice house guy there, Todd Casagrande.  He was awesome. 

RADBASTARD

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #17 on: Aug 05, 2005, 01:40 »
I was at dresden 96-98 in wasn't the most pleasent atmosphere.
I once heard a tech tell the RPM when was ask if he was coming back.
He responded that he would sooner blow a heard of goats then come back to this place!

I also heard in the break room from a house tech in the morning meeting that he wanted the air tested because he was afraid of catching something from us.He said this in front of all of us.We were caught by suprise and didn't know what to say.

Hey but we did stay in a holiday inn express last night!
« Last Edit: Aug 11, 2005, 02:01 by RadBastard »

shovelheadred

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #18 on: Aug 05, 2005, 04:33 »


   I was at Dresden at the same time as"the Bastard", and Dave Warren......what a place!!!!!,,,,,,,,,,the House techs hated us, that was my last commercial plant,,,,,,,,,welcome HAZWOPER,,,never looked back...there were some house supervisors that were ex-RAT's that were cool........Rick Conklin.and The Harry Busch. isnt Dresden the Plant that Lydia Jacobs, during an ALARA brief told the RPM to Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!,,cant say it here, Yep I know it was...jumped up on the table..and addressed the whole Outage Staff..anybody know the wherebouts of that foul mouthed, dark skinned beauty,no not Steve,,,,Lydia

Offline AMU

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #19 on: Aug 05, 2005, 09:56 »
Harry Bush and Mike Overstreet were the only two good things about that place and one of my last commercial sites.  Both fair and when you had their respect, it went a lot easier.  Don't know if MO ever made it to the house side, was attempting to when I was there.  House attitude really bad, nothing good about them, hot plant, cold people.  If I had to make that once in a lifetime choice between goats and Dresden, for the sake of this commentary, I would have to go with the goats.  Dresden has rightfully earned all it gets in the way of attitude and comments, none of which have been exagerated, other than the goats.  Would not go there if you have other options. 
« Last Edit: Aug 07, 2005, 10:17 by AMU »

rawtech

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #20 on: Aug 11, 2005, 01:45 »
Been there once. As for comparing Dres. to Quad., I would have to say that Quad. was more updated, but I liked the way my supervisor backed my decisions at Dresden. I didn't find any of that at Quad. Out of the two, I'd definately return to Dresden first. That is considering that I don't have a choice in any other places to go.   Rawtech

RADBASTARD

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #21 on: Aug 11, 2005, 02:06 »
From the looks of the poll results,it looks like there are alot more of us goat herders out there.

12Bravo

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #22 on: Nov 07, 2005, 10:59 »
Here right now, not TOO very bad, and Mike Overstreet is the RPM

Offline Dave Warren

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #23 on: Nov 07, 2005, 02:41 »
Hey, do me a favor 12Bravo.
Tell Mike O. I said Hello.
Him and Marta were my neighbors in Morris, around 1998.
Thanks.

radgal

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #24 on: Nov 08, 2005, 10:56 »
12Bravo  Tell Mike O. that John Tinnin and Helen say hello

Offline AS55555

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Dresden
« Reply #25 on: May 13, 2006, 11:19 »
I note Dresden is advertising for a RPM. Does anyone know why the last RPM left?

thanks

keff

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #26 on: Nov 14, 2006, 06:53 »
Dresden is the very antithesis of teamwork and fun.  Talk about a depressing place....

Offline Dave Warren

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #27 on: Nov 15, 2006, 07:36 »
Yes, but you are a short drive up I-55 from seeing Daaaa Bears....

BaronVonHawkeye

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #28 on: Jan 02, 2007, 06:35 »
I am looking at starting a career with Exelon and one of the places offered was Dresden.  Obviously from the comments, it does not sound like a great place to work as an outsider.  Does anyone have any info if you are working for Exelon in an engineering position?

wlrun3@aol.com

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #29 on: Jan 02, 2007, 07:36 »
I am looking at starting a career with Exelon and one of the places offered was Dresden.  Obviously from the comments, it does not sound like a great place to work as an outsider.  Does anyone have any info if you are working for Exelon in an engineering position?

 ...dresden...first commercial nuclear reactor...anchor of the largest and strongest nuclear utility...in the shadow of the world's first self sustained nuclear reaction site...a stones throw from the world record holder accelerator and discoverer of the top quark...neighbor to the home base of the national reactor test site...engineer?...career?...you are so fortunate...good luck...make us proud...

Offline retired nuke

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #30 on: Jan 03, 2007, 04:37 »
Hmmm, don't know how they are to work for, but we (VY) keep losing our engineers to Exelon.....
Remember who you love. Remember what is sacred. Remember what is true.
Remember that you will die, and that this day is a gift. Remember how you wish to live, may the blessing of the Lord be with you

splitter

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #31 on: Feb 06, 2007, 05:51 »
Worked there a long time.  Great people, nice area, close to Chicago.  Best of the best


joshdawopp

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getting time of during NLO training
« Reply #32 on: Mar 06, 2007, 05:40 »
I searched the website and couldn't find anything that sounded like the situation that I am currently in.  I just interviewed at Dresden for NLO and the interview went extremely well.  I took the POSS test and feel that I did pretty well on it although i haven't gotten the results back yet.  My dilemma is this:  I am suppose to get married on december 28th of this year.  Will the plant be ok with me leaving to get married as long as i make up to time or i'm ahead.  Any input on this would be greatly appreciated.

thanks,

Josh Dolph

Offline Nuclear NASCAR

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Re: getting time of during NLO training
« Reply #33 on: Mar 06, 2007, 11:36 »
That will depend on your contract at Dresden.  Most plants you don't get vacation until after 1 year.  As far as making up time that's usually not allowed under a union contract though I'd never say never.  You might get lucky and have the 28th fall on a day off but seeing that it's on a Friday you might not e in luck there.  You'll want to see how long your probationary period is also.  If it's a year you may have to make a difficult decision.  I'm not trying to put any kind of a damper on your nuptials but I don't want to give unfounded hope either. 

Best of luck on your test results and Thanks for your service to our country.

Tom
"There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge."

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keff

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #34 on: Mar 07, 2007, 12:11 »
Congrats on your impending marriage.  As far as Dresden goes, do NOT plan on anything they say they'll do for you as far as time off goes.  They plan downpower for any time it happens to be a weekend, a holiday, or if you've got something fun going on.  You're expected to worship the OPs schedule and if you have a life, that is just too bad.  Unless your engagement/marriage is on the emergency outage schedule, approved for work and meets the line item in the "checkbook" for planned activity, you'll have to hope your co-workers will cover the OT for you.  Based on the time of year you mentioned, one unit will likely be just coming out of outage, which means a few weeks of misery afterwards. 

Although not normally a pessimist, I found that with Dresden, the glass isn't just half empty,  chances are you spilled it on your favorite shirt, broke it and then cut your foot on the pieces. 

joshdawopp

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #35 on: Mar 07, 2007, 11:37 »
During that time I wont be qualified to do anything yet anyways, so if im ahead wouldn't it not be that big of a deal ?  Just wondering how this stuff works.  My uncle is the ops manger at the byron plant maybe he could help me out a little bit.  But I really want this job however if my fiance isn't happy then I wont be happy and theres no point in making good money if your life is going to be all screwed up.

Offline Nuclear NASCAR

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #36 on: Mar 08, 2007, 12:15 »
During that time I wont be qualified to do anything yet anyways, so if im ahead wouldn't it not be that big of a deal ?  Just wondering how this stuff works.  My uncle is the ops manger at the byron plant maybe he could help me out a little bit.  But I really want this job however if my fiance isn't happy then I wont be happy and theres no point in making good money if your life is going to be all screwed up.

You'll have a probationary period of 6 months to a year (possibly more depending on the plants contract) during which you won't be eligible to miss work unless it's a family emergency, FMLA covered illness, or a situation that's specifically outlined in your plants contract. 

If you mean that your uncle could help you out by answering your questions and helping to eliminate any doubts I think that's a great idea.  I would caution against having him call in a favor to get you something not available to the rest of your classmates in the NLO class.  You'll hopefully be working with these people for many years to come and the last thing you want is to get special treatment above them.  (If I'm wrong on the second thing don't take it as an accusation.  I've just seen over the years how well special treatment is appreciated) 

As far "During that time I wont be qualified to do anything yet anyways, so if im ahead wouldn't it not be that big of a deal ? "
That depends on your qualification process.  At some plants you're in class for most of year and then you go out and qualify on everything.  At others you get your initial class (2 to 3 months) out of the way, qualify on your first watch station, and then have class on your next watch station.  You'll also have regularly scheduled training with your crew every 5 or 6 weeks for 1 week of continuing training.

Everything may fall into place and you'll be able to take a day or 2 off at the right time and get married when you're planning on it.  I would talk it over with your fiancee and prepare for the possibility of having to reschedule just in case.  I wholeheartedly agree that if you're not happy all the money in the world won't fix it.  However, your wedding day, while one of the most special in your life, will pale in comparison with many other events in your marriage.  When my wife and I were planning our wedding the main thing we were looking for was a day that was ours and didn't have anything else around it.  Your wedding is scheduled for the day after my birthday.  I can tell you that if I'd had it to plan I wouldn't have planned it for 2 days after Christmas.  It's special to me but it's just another day around the holidays in reality. 

Don't hesitate to PM me if you have anything you'd like to talk about privately.  Talk to your uncle, he'll be able to answer your questions completely, including exactly how much the job will pay and what you can expect to make yearly.  It's a big decision and I wish you the best in making it.  More importantly, I wish you the best of luck on getting the job offer.
"There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge."

  -Bertrand Russell

joshdawopp

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #37 on: Mar 08, 2007, 12:27 »
I appreciste your honesty.  I personally can get married whenever it doesnt matter to me but the boss MUST have a DECEMBER wedding.  And she says if we cant do it then we'll just have to wait another year but ill get over it.  Exelon isn't the only place that I have applied to but it is my first choice.  My interview went extremely well according to the interviewers so i have a feeling that as long as i passed my tests I should get the job offer, i could be wrong though as this is a competitive and unpredictable business.  However i did fly al the way from hawaii for a weekend to do so which should tell them how much i want to work for them.  I applied for an HP position also although as an ELT i found Radcon annoying to say the least. 

Offline justme

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #38 on: Mar 08, 2007, 12:44 »
As I understand it, you haven't accepted a job yet?  Just a suggestion, but when they call you to offer a job, discuss it with them.  Honesty is always best.  They are the ones to best tell you how to proceed.  Take the earliest start date they offer.  When my husband accepted his operator position, they gave him a mid december start date.  He tried to get a later one, but they insisted.  Good thing because he is ahead on the senority list and gets qualified for vacation earlier than most of his classmates who started in January.  They had to wait another year for vacation.   He didn't start classes right away, so there may be some flexibility for you wedding.
Don;'t know how they do it at Dresden, but asking doesn't hurt.
Hope it helps some
It is what it is!

scruffy

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #39 on: Apr 22, 2007, 09:22 »
A house tech told me that the 5 week outage is only 15-18 days breaker to breaker

klsas

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #40 on: Nov 23, 2008, 10:16 »
It's been awhile since the last Dresden post, so I'll get it re-started. I just finished another Dresden outage. It was my best Comed/Exelon outage ever. It was actually one of my best outages anywhere. I have been blessed to always have good people to work with, but the crew I worked with in the Rx Building was great to work with. I actually looked forward to going in every morning. The Bartlett techs, house lead and Exelon traveller's made every day fun. It appears that Harry has done a good job with the RP department and Liz is doing well with the Bartlett techs. If you haven't been to Exelon in a while, it might be worth another try. If you get to Quad next spring, find the house RP that does the chicken joke.

Keith

nrlien

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #41 on: Sep 15, 2009, 05:51 »
Any new comments, feelings about Dresden?

Offline jumanji

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Re: Dresden
« Reply #42 on: Jan 02, 2018, 01:22 »
If someone lives in Morris and comes down to dresden do they need winter tires or all season can be enough? and are the roads cleaned after snow? and how much is the travel time in winter usually.

 


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