DC Cook

[NOMADICONE]

Going up for an outage Sept 27. Any advice or warnings appreciated.

[PWHoppe]

Won't be getting cold for awhile, that's the good news. Also very beautiful this time of the year in SW Michigan.

Don't know the management any more at the "cookie Farm" but I do know that there are still some great people there at the working level in HP. You'll be fine as long as you're willing to do your job and follow the procedures. Say hi to all the folks in the HP staff for me, I miss them. Good luck, I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

[allforthenukie]

For a good place to stay, try to reserve a cabin at Chalet on the Lake, very nice cabins, very reasonable off season rent.
There's a motel on the main drag in St Joesph that offered a special room rate for nukeworkers when I was there but I don't remember the name of it. Best Western? Super 8? Something like that. Ask 'em at the desk if they offer a deal for outage workers.
Avoid going into the little city of Benton Harbor while you're there. One rough town! The shopping area by the highway is okay though.
Some decent bars on the arrow highway near the plant. But beware, the cops watch these places pretty close during the outages.

[KevsHarley]

Work night shift on the Refuel Floor for Sporty. He is a great person and I'm sorry I can't be there for this one. Great place to work all in all. The house people are good to work with and the decon crew is as well. Stay out of Benton Harbor, St. Joe's is a really nice place to visit down town. Best Western in St. Joe's give a discount to the workers. I stayed there, and there is alot of places to eat up that way.

[softail92]

Sporty's cool, I would work for him anytime. But for me I would work for BIG MIKE on days. I HATE NIGHTS. My wife and I just had a new addition to the family so I want to work close to home this time. I'm going to miss not being there this outage. But if you work for Sporty or Mike you can't lose! Doug, I hope you have some good jokes this outage!! Porkchop and Slatts I hope to see you guys soon!!!


Lonnie

[RAD-GHOST]

Fire-Fly Resort in Union Pier, use to have a monthly rate of $650.00, during the off season.  Everything included, two bedrooms, off street parking and QUIET.  About 15 minutes from the plant, 1/2 block from a little convenience store and one block from a decent Pub.

[cpottsjr]

For any of youn's that are  (or may be)  coming towards Cook for the March 25 breaker opening ceremony to pull sticks from U1, a few RPs here have prompted this post to ask if anybody has any questions or concerns about our U1C20 coming up.  Primarily I'm looking to assist peoples with the creature comfort kind of stuff as opposed to policy/procedure kind of stuff.....   but give me/us a yell on this thread & we'll see what we can help you with.

[Rennhack]

For any of youn's that are  (or may be)  coming towards Cook for the March 25 breaker opening ceremony to pull sticks from U1, a few RPs here have prompted this post to ask if anybody has any questions or concerns about our U1C20 coming up.  Primarily I'm looking to assist peoples with the creature comfort kind of stuff as opposed to policy/procedure kind of stuff.....   but give me/us a yell on this thread & we'll see what we can help you with.

Thats a fantastic idea.  More sites should do this!

[PWHoppe]

Great Idea Chuckles...I know you guys will do a great job making everyone feel at home...Good luck in your outage!

[radgal]

One thing I can say if you are there in the winter there is alot of snow.  '99-00 winter it snowed almost every night.  Lake effect snow is a wonderful phenom.

[PWHoppe]

See the previous post by cpottsjr, or IM him he can help you out a lot. I was there as a house mouse for 13 years. The snow will be gone (mostly) now and it is going into a beautiful time of the year. Lots of antique shops, lake front, orchards, and small town stuff. Close to South Bend,IN (40 mi) and Chicago (100 mi).

[Smitty9000]

Is Cook still a Non-Smoking site?
How about the winter night life?

[TENN-1]

Chuck's probably getting blue -  I'll cover while he's out.

The Cook plant has restored the once removed smoking areas. They are outside but available for use. For the more athletic, a gym/exercise room has also been added.

Winter night-life would not be my specialty. I'll let Chuckles handle that one.

ttt

[looped16]

Having been in a position of some responsibility in the RP Program at Cook from 87 to 92, I have to agree with the Hoppster and admit some culpability in fostering the we can do everything mentality of the RP department. We could do it all back then and in general we had fun doing it.  We laughed alot, I yelled a little, but there never any hard feelings, and I remember mostly great times.
But then when the 0350 shutdown came upon the plant, managerial demons of the dark side came to reside. The new managerial modle was that of fear and loathing and if you did not adapt you had better leave or you were to be escorted off by security.  It was most unfortunate, for I saw many good people take the fall before I quit in 2000.
I hear things about Cook that sadden me, with a yearning for the old days. What I can say is that the people I worked with in RP from 87 to 92, and many are still there in the technician ranks, were the finest group of folks I have ever had the pleasure to be associated with. I miss them often and wish nothing but the best.

[Jr8black3]

Dennis you had a job to do, nobody can fault you for that, your techs and supervisors like Pat respected you. I hated the day i was told I had to leave D.C.Cook. I will never go back because it will never be the same, even though I know that plant like the back of my hand.

Dennis best of luck to you.

Kevin

[cpottsjr]

Thanks to Bill for covering me while I was 'getting blue'.....   old joke here at the 'clean plant.'  Night life in the area covers a pretty good spectrum....   we have plenty of neighborhood bars every direction from the plant.  Also some moderately upscale endeavours in St. Joe immediately north.  There are some favorite hangouts nearby also, again....  ranging the spectrum of good-ol'-boy shot&beer to finer dining.  Coming soon will be a sports bar at the old Schuler's in Stevensville, but probably not til after outage.  Best thing to do is check things out with peers when you arrive here, see what's happening on any given day/night, and repeat often.  Another consideration is the fact that summertime is fast approaching and the Illinois contingent of our local population will be crowding back in....   always gets the local places going.  Local constabulary watches some places and I always advise caution when drinking/driving.....  for a day/night off a DD is recommended if you need to let some outage-steam off.  Some techs have arrived preoutage already and have processed in, mostly returnees that have gravitated to their accustomed local eat &/or sleep places.  We surely welcome these guys & gals back, and look forward to the rest of youn's getting here and rubbing elbows, preferably after work at the local place-of-choice where elbow excercises are common.

[Lorrie Henson]

I live about 7 miles from the plant, but not currently working there.  I was there about 3 yrs ago, during their down time, writing procedures.  If anyone wants to know anything about the area, please ask.  I'll help as much as I can.   

Lorrie

[Jr8black3]

Pat Hoppe or sir Charles Potts would never lead you astray about the area, I'am sure D.C. Cook hates that they don't have the hopster anymore..

[mskia]

I miss the hoppe from the early to mid 90's I loved his bar in Coloma

[cpottsjr]

Dennis....
Glad to hear you're still out there kickin'....    you nailed the ordeal pretty accurately he at the clean plant.  We're still workin' thru the issues, and it is assuredly are more delicate place to walk.  Miss your honesty and straight-forwardness.  What used to be common sense and diligence has been replaced by policy and procedure, with little leeway afforded.  We're getting there, but it is very slow.  Hope all is well wherever you're at.     

[iiiisx3]

wow i hope to get there this month.i have worked there before as a guard also.wonder if anyone i know is still there! (1979-1982)

[TENN-1]

We have several people in RP that have been here since the early eighties and before. Who are you looking for?

[Mike McFarlin]

Enjoyed working the last 2 outages there. Enjoyed the area and seeing old friends that are permanent there.

[radbitch]

Heard they dropped something last night? Anybody got any info?

[vikingfan]

i guess from what i hear that the rigging broke while lifting one of the missle shield blocks