“We had some folks that did not show up for work, and we have some folks that took vacation”. Kevin and Theresa did not recognize this as a good reason for a change in the estimate. All businesses plan ahead for employee vacations and unexpected illnesses.
This did not sit well with Kevin. Theresa recognized the signals of Kevin beginning a slow burn of disappointment in his mind. This information along with the fact that all work is planned using plies of paper and note pads. No scheduling software or computers had yet to be utilized added fodder to Kevin's slow burn of disappointment.
That evening, prior to bedtime, Kevin optimistically set his phones alarm for 6:30 am in anticipation of a call to be at one of the Express Bays first thing in the morning.
Morning came, Kevin was sipping coffee before his alarm announced 6:30 am. 7 am came, 7:30 came, several RVs had already left the campsites to make their way to one of the 40+ service bays. 8:30 came followed by 9:30 am. Kevin as pacing and having a conversation under his breath. 10:30 came and went. Kevin had been calculating the number of RVs that could be serviced in the Express Bays just as a call at 11AM rang on Kevin's phone go to Express Bay 8. Express Bays host repairs that can be competed by 2 technicians in a 3 hour time frame. In anticipation of getting only the highest priorities completed in the limited service hours the Smitanic list had been honed down and prioritized to meet that limitation.
Morning came, Kevin was sipping coffee before his alarm announced 6:30 am. 7 am came, 7:30 came, several RVs had already left the campsites to make their way to one of the 40+ service bays. 8:30 came followed by 9:30 am. Kevin as pacing and having a conversation under his breath. 10:30 came and went. Kevin had been calculating the number of RVs that could be serviced in the Express Bays just as a call at 11AM rang on Kevin's phone go to Express Bay 8. Express Bays host repairs that can be competed by 2 technicians in a 3 hour time frame. In anticipation of getting only the highest priorities completed in the limited service hours the Smitanic list had been honed down and prioritized to meet that limitation.
Like an Indy pit crew, the Smitanic team quickly unhooked all water and sewer lines, stowed items and were at the bay in less that 15 min!
Kevin piloted the Smitanic slowly into Bay 8. Once the vessel had drifted into position, 2 technicians requested permission to come aboard. The shore crew then reviewed the list with Kevin and declared they would start at noon as it was just about the technicians lunch time. Kevin and Theresa decided therefore it was time for them to also grab some lunch. Customers are encouraged to hang around and watch repairs in hopes to learn, ask questions and advise on the priority of repairs. Kevin and Theresa wanted to absorb as much as they could from the 'experts'.
Kevin piloted the Smitanic slowly into Bay 8. Once the vessel had drifted into position, 2 technicians requested permission to come aboard. The shore crew then reviewed the list with Kevin and declared they would start at noon as it was just about the technicians lunch time. Kevin and Theresa decided therefore it was time for them to also grab some lunch. Customers are encouraged to hang around and watch repairs in hopes to learn, ask questions and advise on the priority of repairs. Kevin and Theresa wanted to absorb as much as they could from the 'experts'.
Promptly at high noon, Kevin and Theresa returned to the Bay. Adam and Sequoyah (yes his name) went straight to work on the top priority, the Fresh water indicator had quit registering since the new Wet Bay was installed last week. Armed with a flashlight and mirror the two experts could see all the wires and discovered that one wire had been pulled out of the assembly. A new wiring assembly was retrieved from the nearby parts dept and easily installed. Theresa noted to Kevin that a new repair tool should be added to the toolbox, a mirror, how handy!
Next the two technicians split up to take on the next 2 items, Adam checking the batteries and Sequoyah replacing the exterior window seals. A Third dude, that looked remarkably like Theresa's nephew Mike Waldron, came inside the coach to inspect the AC.
Adam was done with the batteries and gave them a thumbs up thanks to Kevin's diligence in keeping the distilled water level full. Adam lamented, “On many occasions when we go to open the cap and look in at the level, the batter is so empty, you can hear your voice echo inside”. “If you keep the water levels up those batteries will last for YEARS”. He congratulated Kevin on being very diligent in his attention to not just batteries but his focus on recognizing and then getting items serviced as needed.
Next, after a swing by the garbage barrel for a spit of tobacco, Adam opened up the basement bays to inspect the driver's side slide. This had been previously repaired during the Smitanic Northern exposure in South Dakota and Montana last year. (Recall the 2 bit fix?) All looked good and Adam even sprayed some special lube, T-9 BoeShield made by Boing, on the mechanism as well. Kevin noted this must be added to the purchase list as well.
Inside the RV, Sequoyah reviewed with Theresa the issues with the day-night blinds. He reviewed how the blinds are installed and removed and advised her to go to Bay 29 and speak with Stebon (this was what they called Stephen with a wad of tobacco in their checks). “He'll give you some parts and you can fix those yourself”. Theresa then marched down to Bay 29 were Stebon was repairing a plastic refrigerator tray. Theresa interrupted his work and explained her mission. He generously grabbed a hand full of spare parts and put them in a container and handed it to her. She also asked his advice on how best to install these parts as well as reattach existing end-caps that had come loose. With new found confidence she returned to Bay 8 with her spare parts and assignment.
Next, after a swing by the garbage barrel for a spit of tobacco, Adam opened up the basement bays to inspect the driver's side slide. This had been previously repaired during the Smitanic Northern exposure in South Dakota and Montana last year. (Recall the 2 bit fix?) All looked good and Adam even sprayed some special lube, T-9 BoeShield made by Boing, on the mechanism as well. Kevin noted this must be added to the purchase list as well.
Inside the RV, Sequoyah reviewed with Theresa the issues with the day-night blinds. He reviewed how the blinds are installed and removed and advised her to go to Bay 29 and speak with Stebon (this was what they called Stephen with a wad of tobacco in their checks). “He'll give you some parts and you can fix those yourself”. Theresa then marched down to Bay 29 were Stebon was repairing a plastic refrigerator tray. Theresa interrupted his work and explained her mission. He generously grabbed a hand full of spare parts and put them in a container and handed it to her. She also asked his advice on how best to install these parts as well as reattach existing end-caps that had come loose. With new found confidence she returned to Bay 8 with her spare parts and assignment.
Back at the RV, the AC was given an A-OK and Kevin was assure it did not need Freon. Kevin remarked how the new RVs have 3 AC s to cool the space vs 2 so that must keep it nice and cool! Sequoyah remarked “the new AC s are not nearly as good as the ones you got here!”. Michael's twin chimed in “These older units are much better built than the new ones”. One more reason to resist New RV envy and keep the Smitanic even thought it is 10 years old.
Next Sequouya re-glued the frame on the dinning room window that had come loose and then headed outside to continue to replace all the window seals on each window. Adam inspected the slide seals on the slides where Kevin noted there had been some metal on metal rubbing. Adam determined that the gaskets should be replaced. As the two technicians went to work replacing all the Smitanic window and identified slide seals, Theresa was reminded of the Emerald City makeover scene before meeting the great and powerful Wizard! “Stuff stuff here, ... buff buff there, …. That's how they play the day away in the very own land of OZ!”
Next Sequouya re-glued the frame on the dinning room window that had come loose and then headed outside to continue to replace all the window seals on each window. Adam inspected the slide seals on the slides where Kevin noted there had been some metal on metal rubbing. Adam determined that the gaskets should be replaced. As the two technicians went to work replacing all the Smitanic window and identified slide seals, Theresa was reminded of the Emerald City makeover scene before meeting the great and powerful Wizard! “Stuff stuff here, ... buff buff there, …. That's how they play the day away in the very own land of OZ!”
The Smitanic was almost ready! It had only been 2 hours. Kevin challenged the technicians to consider replacing all the seals on each of the slides as he further identified other areas of concern. Upon further inspection the technicians agreed that they all should be replaced. A new order for additional seals was placed and once the parts arrived the team attacked the remaining seals.
One final item, a small Hydraulic leak, would have to be scheduled with Mechanical a different bay. The Smitanic physical paperwork was hand delivered to Mechanical, who indicated that they had completed all their work for the day and were completely caught up, so they might just be able to get the Smitanic in yet that afternoon. However looking at the clock it was very close to quitting time so perhaps it will be first thing tomorrow.
One final item, a small Hydraulic leak, would have to be scheduled with Mechanical a different bay. The Smitanic physical paperwork was hand delivered to Mechanical, who indicated that they had completed all their work for the day and were completely caught up, so they might just be able to get the Smitanic in yet that afternoon. However looking at the clock it was very close to quitting time so perhaps it will be first thing tomorrow.
Kevin and Theresa shook hands with the Technicians and thanked them for thier wonderful effort for the day. The service was as top notch as claimed! Everyone worked together and were encouraged to answer questions, explain things and give advice. Even with a very non-computerized process they were very efficient and were able to address lots of issues in a very short time!
You really, really need a Go-Pro... watching Kevin get spun up is highly entertaining!
ReplyDeleteComputers....yeah, those never cause problems...HA!!
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