Young coal mine workers l Hidden America: Children of the Mountains PART 5/6

Diane Sawyer follows 18-year-old Jeremey as he starts working in a coal mine to support his family. [Original Air Date 2/13/2009]
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[@johnathanlewis7059]

No shit they are quiet. They are on camera being interviewed with mine officials watching. They aren’t going to really open up due to the fact they say anything they’ll be out of a job.

[@bruxxx4948]

Johnathan Lewis MSHA

[@americanpatriot3667]

Johnathan Lewis I used to work for ocean spray and when cameras were around the big wigs only showed them what they wanted them to see I guarantee if they really showed them the real shit they’d be closed

[@DocJamesH]

For the land of the free, and the home of the brave.

[@aikonatsumi5611]

@@americanpatriot3667 Can you tell us some of the things they didn't want to show cameras? Nice name by the way, I love your country

[@JohnDoe-us1ek]

Aiko Natsumi Second this

[@Earthdogbonzo3]

My Grandfather was a Pennsylvania Coal Miner in the 1910s. Born in 1902, he left school after the 8th grade to work full time so he could help support the family. He was first born of 8 or 9 siblings. Damn! I wish I had been more appreciative and respectful of him when he was alive. I can remember my Grandmother calling him a dumb Lithuanian hick one morning. He became a merchant marine and settled in Liverpool for a while where he met his wife. While he may have not been considered bright by an elite few in my family, he had a job throughout the entire Great Depression, raised his family and never complained. I never really knew him . . .wish I had.

[@brentmiller3951]

I am a carpenter .it is not a glorious job. I do own my own home me and my wife both drive fairly new cars and my daughter has everything she needs .I don't owe school loans .I learn something new almost every day even after 25 yrs .blue collar is not a bad way to support your family

[@mac11daddy6]

Unfortunately all these Big Wig company CEO owners whether it’s Mining, Trucking, etc are all scum bags who couldn’t care less about their workers because it’s just business

[@janmock1596]

My grandfather was also a pennsylvania coal miner. Born in 1905, he left the 9th grade to work full time in the mines. Lied about his age and started in the donkey stables. He was an expert moonshiner and went through many strikes. He didn't speak of it often but once told us of a cave in where his entire local union chapter was lost except for him. Even with black lung he lived to be 97 years old. He was quit a character and if you asked him a question or 2 about the mines, he'd be off to the races telling me about it. My dad left that area because he didn't want to be a coal miner. All of Pap's kid left to go somewhere else. Pap's life was quit harsh. There weren't many oversight agencies and the union really only addressed scant inadequacies of the industry back then. It's a shame to see it still going on even with oversight agencies and regulatory rules.

[@MichaelEstrada]

19 years old and a home owner. Incredible.

[@qaz3000]

I bought my house at 20 years of age. But the thing is that houses that are under 100K are much easier to ¨get into¨. I've seen people just sell their car for 5k and Voila that was their cash down. When you have to put down 25k its another ballgame. Im guessing in your area houses cost 200-300k+ , with couple thousand of property tax. It all depends on the location, IMHO..

[@samuelclark2434]

@@qaz3000 yes thats very true. And they compare debt to income. If he's making 60k and has no other debt then he probably had an easy time getting financed. I'm not knocking him though he seems to be on the right path. A lot of younger people don't want anything to do with hard work

[@qaz3000]

@@samuelclark2434 Yes absolutly ! He's make good money , doesn't have student loan. Was able/willing to start working young. He married the mother of her child. I also think that he's on the right track and yes he assuredly a hard worker. All that he's missing if you ask me is a healthier lifestyle but that will probable come later on, God bless him and all the other hard worker !

[@stupidcommentmaker]

This is what the economy used to be like 50+ years ago. These kinds of positions are sadly disappearing.

[@vinnyrussomanno5357]

Probably really cheap out there

[@stevewilliams2725]

The look on miners faces when asked about lung issues with officials near by says it all.

[@lopiklop]

Yep.

[@MrStaybrown]

The respiratory protection is available. Any mask will also keep your face clean and coming out of the mine clean is frowned upon and associated with not working so they just suck dust to not be ridiculed.

[@Sourstromming]

@@MrStaybrown If that is true it’s really sad. 😔

[@comiccontinuity6167]

Mad respect for these guys. Putting their lives on the line just so we could have power in the house.

[@boobler2626]

They do it for a paycheck, not for your benefit.

[@dylanwalker4258]

@@boobler2626 ahh your that guy 😂

[@crazemate]

@@dylanwalker4258 well not everyone’s gonna be noble, I would do it for the pay and even then it’s a sad job

[@_EightySix]

Lol.

[@poogan1239]

I like how they added, "as we speak, company official stand at the side". Not one of those boys wanted to say a damn thing when asked the negative questions, lol.

[@tempo1889]

Poogan123 yeah I picked up on that too. Clearly these guys aren't stupid they know that if they say anything negative they will be gone.

[@libertyj8721]

It may have went out east...the guys I work with don't give a F who you are and tell it straight. No sugar, sugar

[@ms.lolitagore5822]

Nope

[@kaitlin2400]

It’s sad they can’t speak the truth without (probably) losing their job

[@UrielX1212]

The truth or their own subjective interpretation? Sure as hell ain't like the media speaks the truth either.

[@drewberning1237]

60k a year and no college required

[@livetoboardteam]

And you'll die at a young age! What a gre at life! Its almost like they pay that much because no one wants to do it

[@thetrissynashville]

Yeah if you’re unionized, and less than 3% of coal jobs are now unionized. If you’re not then you’re making a LOT less.

[@luxzartheglorious]

@@livetoboardteam my dream job then

[@jacobpair3961]

You won’t die young my pawpaw worked in the mines for years and he’s still kicking around. Don’t breathing problems neither. Just knee and back issues. Typical 70 year old.

[@salvadordali6290]

@@jacobpair3961 😂 😂 😂 😂 😂

[@timothybailey3353]

I feel for these guys, I'm 22 and if I were in the situation of being a coal miner as one of the only option I don't think I could do it. Mad respect

[@tulsaguy9963]

Timothy Bailey and retire early!

[@mrswishadank2329]

Same I’d end up choosing to slang drugs hahah respect to these guys tho!

[@Los334_]

@@mrswishadank2329 man what

[@boobler2626]

Do you feel the same?

[@taylorprocker]

I’m a union miner in West Virginia. Been underground 10 years. I have an education but this is who I am. I love my brothers and sisters I work with. We protect each other, watch each other’s back... we know serious injury and death is around every corner. That’s the thrill of it. Many of us are Marines/military, recovering drug addicts, giant manly men and badass women... al basically adrenaline junkies. I just wanted to thank you for your respect

[@elcompapanic1720]

My side hurts Gets off buys candy bars, Red Bull and cigarettes lol

[@The_fish_rizzler]

No water lol just red bull and mountain dew lol heart attack at 30 written all over it

[@ravenousraven3795]

skharri18 hey these “Losers” keep the lights on for America

[@ken45y]

@skharri18 Then why is coal transported by train all across the U.S.??? Same with crops from farmers. Stop being a piece of shit.

[@ken45y]

I eat healthy/excercise and still have medical issues. JS.

[@user-fr4cg2xj2w]

skharri18 why are you so salty lol

[@johnnyflyover2778]

It sucks that the work ethic of my people is looked down on by so many. People in Appalachia have been survivors for 3 centuries.

[@lopiklop]

That's like saying scabs are people too cuz they need money just like the rest of us.

[@johnbradburn5109]

I so much admire these guys. After high school, I joined the US Navy, then after that I worked in the mine. I admit that I couldn't take it and quit after only a couple years. They said they were sorry to see me go, that I was a hard worker but they understood. I worked in a factory after that and had to take a big pay cut.

[@michellemarie1197]

Those men are real men, that boy and his gf were expecting and he takes one of the hardest jobs in the world to provide for his gf and his baby.

[@domwings4329]

Not like he had much of a choice.

[@ItzL0s29]

@@domwings4329 everyone has a choice brother….

[@ItzL0s29]

@@domwings4329 everyone has a choice brother…. Life is full of choices

[@trevorn9381]

Jobs that start at $60K are few and far between in that part of the country even if you have a college degree and he doesn't.

[@engineking777]

@@trevorn9381 60k plus OT . Probably getting 90k a year and that's a lot for a 18-20 year old. VBO

[@zack9912000]

Honest days pay for an honest days work. Very few people know that type of honest work today

[@alexheyyou93]

this is very true my friend.

[@TheAlp.]

@@alexheyyou93 hard work. But thjs is from 2009, and they should give an update

[@Hey_its_Koda]

True. Lungs turn black.

[@Itsaboutthewaterlife]

Zack: true: with Trumps tariffs on China, we should all be getting a whole lot busier. Trump 2020: Mike Pompeo 2024.

[@coolestdude11111]

Itsaboutthewaterlife You think Trump will make a difference in coal just like it was Obama’s fault for coals demise the last few years? In reality the tariffs will have minimal effects and natural gas and renewable energy will continue to be cheaper and what everyone wants as it is far cleaner

[@Shamuto7]

These guys are brave and I pray for their safetiness. Bless also their families.

[@mikebrown7190]

Damn 60,000 a year starting off straight put of high school the way she was talking figured he wasn't gonna make half that

[@lolpantsification]

6 days a week, guessing 10-12 hour days. If it's a 10 hour day average it's only $20 an hour at straight time, which they would be getting overtime after 40 so the pay is in the teens I'd imagine.

[@anthonykelly7395]

Nah the pay is 27.50 the 60k is based off a 40 hour work week. When warrior met took over for Jim Walters a couple years back we had a big boom and I worked 84 hours a week most of the year. Make 130k that year.

[@lolpantsification]

Nice! I'll take my $34 an hour while not being in a mine. Good money for you guys though!

[@kobrapromotions]

I FIFO and do 12-13hrs a day 14days straight then 6 days off, making around 110k a year, should go up soon though. Im in Aust though.

[@gotacallfromvishal]

ya we see how well he and his family doing in his 30s. should have gone to army. still can.

[@spuid3853]

My stomach hurts Alright ima drink this Red Bull Doritos smoothie

[@lisalangille2071]

My father in law worked in the mines for 25yrs, never missed a day and was happy to work hard for his wife & 3 kids. He retired and I’m blessed to be married to his son for 16yrs. Hard working man doing work to provide. He was also a volunteer firefighter for 20 yrs. my in-laws were married for 51yrs when my awesome mother-law passed away. 😢 I love my in-laws and my dad is my father in laws best friend! Yes, a very rare, but truly blessed family we have! ❤️❤️

[@ButThatsShacksTrain]

At 2:15 this miner says something no "surface hugger" ( myself included) can possibly fathom. God bless these people.

[@andrewdewolfe2692]

I like how she said “ he was going to join the army but his girlfriend got pregnant “

[@andrewdewolfe2692]

ShotgunShell the commentator made it seam as if she got herself pregnant.

[@jasoncrabb4615]

I thought same thing like it was all her idea loll Dang girlfriends...

[@AngelDeed]

Yeah like she ruined his plans... What about her? I am sure she had dreams too...

[@clcampbell85]

Best mistake he ever made was knocking her up if it kept him out of the army LOL I’ll take $60,000 a year and going home every night to my own house over $37,000 a year living in a shit hole desert and getting your legs blown off while your wife cheats on you

[@pawlee2413]

The Army actually pays you more for being married with kids than if you go in as a single person.. and you get to come home to your family after work, for the most part..

[@NeilLB7]

My grandfather did this exact job for 38 years. Underground. Performed all those jobs...and lived to tell about it. Few people could actually do this as a career. My dad got a job as an electrician trainee right out of Vietnam. 2 weeks later he got a call from a major pharma manufacturer. Grandpa told him to take it...and he worked there for 38 years. Just like the man in the film...didn't want kids to follow in his footsteps in this situation.

[@firsttaylor4607]

That’s y his sides hurt Candy chips Red Bull ciggarretts

[@PepperDarlington]

Yep. If these boys got an education on wholesome foods and proper nutrition the statistics for mining health wouldn't be what they are. Look back and do some research on Appalachia. Crappy food is learned through poverty in the region. Bring back coal and watch the mountains thrive.

[@localingeemale6287]

don't forget the Mountain Dew for the pregnant wife. And at 19, he still hasn't figured out you get more for your money if you buy a 2 Liter bottle instead of two 20 oz. bottles? Especially if she's going to be drinking it at home and doesn't need portability...

[@mikeschultz6383]

Localin Geemale very funny his boss looks like he bought all his lunch at the gas station

[@dillon7981]

Lmfaooo u ain’t lying one bit!

[@ws3489]

Yeah, the cigarettes aren't going to help with the black lung risk either. :/ He's on a good way in his life - he has a job, a house, a little family, apparently passed the drug tests of the mining company. That's much better than a lot of people in the region. It would be sad to see this young man suffering from health problems or dying due to being ignorant about his awful nutrition.

[@landonwilliams4747]

God bless the working men and women that work for what they have and that aren’t on drugs or off selling it or on welfare. God bless the working men and women 🇺🇸 and God bless the coal miners.

[@ingramwifey2016]

So thankful for coal miners.

[@USMCm-fs1tu]

Got to give it to these guys. Doing a job that more then most men will not do. Thanks for keeping us going 👍

[@EAHorror]

I think it was a slap in the face the way that owner built that huge house right there in the middle. Especially knowing all these poor men are struggling.

[@johnj4446]

Agreed. So disrespectful

[@jacob_gang]

Facts

[@4.0gpa44]

You automatically assume they're struggling because they're from Appalachia? They make good money and get good benefits. That house, while probably excessive, is the owner's decision.

[@EAHorror]

@@4.0gpa44 Did you actually watch the video? He explained how they struggled....

[@seds94]

If these were women we would say they were oppressed

[@BobSmith1980.]

Women don't want equality. They want the perks with none of the bad parts

[@themonster387]

Amen brother!!!

[@cracticustibicen6374]

But there is actually a lot of discussion about workers being oppressed.

[@selvaggiapizzetti897]

@Your Momma how is he a nazi. You ingroint fuck.

[@Gwyllgi]

Every single video there is a comment like this and not a single comment from a woman saying anything. Just a bunch of bitter, lonely men whining into the wind.

[@tw0one208]

That kid should still join the Army.

[@91Wildcat700]

Why he will make 1/3 of what he is making as a coal miner if he enlists. Base pay in the army is roughly 20,000 he's making 60,000 base pay as a coal miner.

[@tw0one208]

Yeah and he's also not getting TRICARE health insurance, a very good retirement plan, clothing, food, and housing allowance, and not to mention the fact that he's trapped in a doomed industry that will chew him up and spit him out with little regard for his family and health. At least in the Army he could claim disability for any injuries or illnesses he gets during his service. He would be much better off not only financially but his family would benefit greatly. The army would pay for him to go to school while he's on active duty if he wanted to. And if he decides he never wants to go to college his child or wife could use his GI bill when the time comes.

[@tw0one208]

J King I highly doubt that coal mines can offer a worker nearly identical benefits that military personnel in the United States receive. Just because there are homeless veterans doesn’t mean that all veterans end up homeless. The same could be said for the coal industry which has massively declined and cut many jobs in the last 50 years.

[@tw0one208]

Don’t be one of those “I was gonna join but...” guys. Nobody cares or wants to hear your excuses. You don’t have to convince anyone of anything.

[@barrysorento3572]

A standing army (unless a war is declared) is unconstitutional

[@CarlosLopez-hi3pk]

Congratulations on your new house

[@Luca_Cartel]

I've done this for 10 years and I still love it

[@elrud5964]

I work underground in nickel mining, the ground is alot worse around nickel deposits then coal. I love my work, the crew works hard and looks after each other. Its not very healthy in the long run, but we all make a lot of money doing it

[@theresadavis2900]

Thank you!

[@autofocus4556]

“My sides been killing me. Hurts real bad.” “Chips, a lot of candy bars, my Red Bull, gotta have my cigarettes.” I think we found the culprits.

[@stephanesonneville]

Those who are amazed that miners made $60K are the same people who find okay that a pen pusher in some government agency got the same amount for sitting on his arse all day long !

[@osvaldoreyes34]

Let's just hope those pencil pushers get butt boils so it hurts when they sit on their fat ass.

[@jonahworley6879]

ozzy what lmao why? Why be bitter about someone choosing an easy, well paying job. They did a smart thing and chose good money for easy work. Why wish misfortunes on them?

[@777osbaldo1]

I'm amazed they make so little. These guys have some tough jobs and a rough future in terms of health.

[@supremevash7108]

Work smarter not harder

[@nativewave6586]

@@777osbaldo1 60k is not a little

[@christineclarevilgos-mitch1955]

My grandfather on my mom's side died from black lung. He mined coal in North Eastern PA; but he also had a.farm and sold slated from his quarry and was in the Navy. He didn't even mine as much as most coal miners and he still got it. my dad's dad also mines coal a little. He also was in the military and had had other jobs. He died young but not from mining. He had a heart attack. My dad moved away from North Eastern PA so he never mined coal. He was in the marines and was an engineer and worked at NIH. I am grateful he never had to work in the mines though he did sale on a nuclear ship 'The Savannah' and that is pretty dangerous too; but he didn't do that for long.

[@russellcox5129]

These guys where born in this area, work is hard to come by, they love mountain home and family, and church, heck what wrong with that, Americans and proud of it!

[@stupidcommentmaker]

Nothing. America has a big problem with wealthier people looking down on working class people of ALL races.

[@jeep19]

Good thing this area got hit with a big drug epidemic 👍👌 and a bunch of hypocrites 🤔

[@osbaldohernandez9174]

My respect to you men in the mines

[@runlikehell4180]

go tigers

[@DrinkinZima]

Doing that type of hard labor is good for the soul. Truly miss that feeling of being exhausted because of a hard days labor.

[@mickbowen5521]

Their grandfathers came home from WW2 and were very proud to be able to put a roof over their families heads and put food on the table. And we called them the Greatest Generation. Rock on, West Virginia. You make America proud.

[@papabits5721]

Mining is a good trade , good money hard work and lotsa characters.

[@michaelharrison4996]

This thing is about 10 years old now. I was working at that mine when they came out there. In fact if you watch the entire thing I'm in it breifly

[@aarongr3y397]

Is black lung still a problem brother?

[@cr00zbie85]

Thank you for your hard work in mines !

[@misa304almostheaven]

Imma wv girl coal mining is all throughout my family too Thank you for your service 🖤

[@marlenathornsbeary2800]

@@aarongr3y397 yes

[@889976889]

It's really a shame seeing the coal Industry fade away. Those are some of the men who built this country

[@BlGGESTBROTHER]

Industries come and go. That’s life. Do you stay up at night crying for all the lamplighters who lost their job when electricity/lightbulbs were invented?

[@adameccleston1926]

mining coal is an honorable trade, but it literally can't last forever. eventually coal is going to run out.

[@AlexKS1992]

Coal mining is dangerous and it’s bad for the environment.

[@folday6169]

I chose to become a coal miner at age 19 but soon discovered how tedious and exhausting the work was. As a result, I returned to college but, to this day, I feel a deep connection to the guys who still work underground.

[@hazelwood55]

My grandfather and his brother went to work in the mines when he was 10 and his brother was 12.

[@joshuamiller7726]

Thank god for child labor laws

[@flyinbrian1987]

God bless all the Eastern ky Cole miners from a ky boy myself there keepin the light lights on 💡 they should be super heroes

[@odynith9356]

This grammar almost gave me a stroke

[@Neel-xe1po]

there's a kid I went to school with in the beginning of this video.

[@TheAlp.]

@RetroGuy76 it's from 2009 I wonder how the guy is doing now

[@jjosephm7539]

You use the electricity from this coal to run your computer, loser

[@slmmdgg]

my grandfather was a coal miner. van houton new mexico GOD bless our miners!!!!!

[@firefighter282]

My great grandpa, my two grandfathers, my dad, brother, brothern law, and maybe someday me work in the mines of rosebud 🌹

[@AldridgeFarmstead]

Lol i always visit the abandoned mines... it’s interesting not still knowing we still have them till this day! They are living history Its really cool to go exploring

[@stevie3927]

Thats a real man right there.... Clearly getting her pregnant was a mistake, but he manned up and got a 60k a year job. Respectable man...would have been great in the Army.

[@0374-x7c]

60k a year starting salary in an area like Appalachia where living isn’t that expensive is actually really good

[@saintsmaster3213]

Especially back then

[@Isaac-muntz]

Hell yeah

[@MagaKoz]

It's amazing what jobs people can do. From nuts that work high in the air to nuts going underground. Y'all be safe 🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@andrewdewolfe2692]

City Eastwood dirty hands clean money!

[@MagaKoz]

@@andrewdewolfe2692 shit even if it wasn't clean money I wouldn't press them. Bad mother fuckers that I tip my hat too.

[@ItzL0s29]

We need these people bro gotta appreciate em fr! 🤜🏼🤷🏻‍♂️

[@samellis4054]

Thanks guys

[@alcoleman5261]

I worked in the mines where I made $256 a week. I loved the job despite the danger. Some of the Union people scared me so much I left to work for the state. I saw a knife fight at a union meeting with blood. One day I was in the man-car ready to go into the mine and someone stood up, poured out his water, and said he was going squirrel hunting. Everyone else got up and followed him. It was a wildcat strike. My family could have used that money. But above all, I respect the coalminer for he is an honorable man. And it takes a man of great intelligence to work the coal mines, for it's a lot more complicated than you can imagine. God bless those who help keep the nation's electricity working. Please check out the movie "October Sky", based on a family in Coalwood, WV.

[@Garapetsa]

Back in the late 50's, I remember many kids in my grade school coming up from there. We lived in Chicago area. They found work in Mill. Interesting culture. True melting pot.

[@laurenfelsberg6406]

God Bless these lovely spirits

[@anivbarr8006]

“I love it” yea bullshit...talk to him when his foreman isn’t standing 2ft away

[@selvaggiapizzetti897]

@@eddiew2325 for what exactly

[@americanpatriot3667]

Eddie W why cause he’s working hard unlike you sitting in mommies basement playing Pokémon

[@eddiew2325]

American Patriot how do u know that

[@selvaggiapizzetti897]

@@eddiew2325 You are stupid aren't you.

[@JB-pg6ju]

6 candy bars 3 bags of chips 4 cans of mnt dew 2 red bulls and 2 packs of cigarettes and he ask doctor, "why is my stomac hurting". ..lmao...duhhh!

[@gotacallfromvishal]

do you know what a food desert is?

[@JB-pg6ju]

@@gotacallfromvishal to be honest I don't really care what a food desert is

[@cmonster6]

John Baisden when’s he got time to go to the dr.?

[@skeets6060]

This man worked for his money he can build any kind of a house he wants

[@chrisshields5448]

I love the fact that the coal mine owner built that big ass house in the small town, makes a statement to people that he committed to the region and serves as a reminder to others that hard work can pay off

[@Flyanb]

Black lung? I might have to think about mining looks cleaner and brighter than most iron foundries I’ve been in they have one 60 watt bulb for the whole building.

[@libertyj8721]

Much cleaner and better regulations for safety and health in coal mines

[@elpitonpre9522]

Flyanb coal particles can't bee seen so pretty much coal dust everywhere

[@Hey_its_Koda]

Coal spore particles underground. They breath it in. Yeah you can wear masks but you get shit for it as being weak. Overtime they develop black lung and cancers. Other part you can die down there in many ways.

[@stupidcommentmaker]

Neither of those jobs are particularly safe. Thank god for OSHA.

[@pierce873]

I don’t see why hard honest work is looked down upon I respect there kinds of jobs more then any other types of jobs they’re truly tough as nails

[@mrhuntalot123]

"If you werent mining what would you wanna do?" "News reporter i guess" Lmao she has no fucking clue what that means

[@_The1whoknocks]

I've been working as a nuclear maintenance mechanic for 3 years and I haven't gotten up to $60,000 a year so I'm pretty jealous of that at 18 years old. My job has some of the highest safety standards in the country, so I can't really complain though.

[@dillanglover107]

My mom feels the same as that woman feels about her sons when I’m out working the line

[@55points]

God Bless the Coal miners.. My ancestor worked in the Copper Mines in Michigan`s Upper Peninsula. Its all gone now.

[@luisthekingjaime94]

These men are the backbone of our country every time eternally electricity think about the one who has to keep digging

[@johnsmith6974]

If we destroy these coals mines what will happen to these men? What will happen to their families, their children, their town, their entire world? Whenever I hear of alternative energy I wonder if it could pay these men the same wages they have now.

[@SniperS0007]

John Smith If we destroy these coal mines, the new power plans will be far more expensive to build, cost more to maintain and big unions will come in and pay their workers more, passing down costs to the consumers who buy the energy. We all want the world to be a more green place and more beautiful, but the price to be paid is a heavy one... which we don't want to pay

[@rustypudder7072]

Thats why we have trade schools and colleges

[@johnsmith6974]

@@rustypudder7072 But even trade school can be hard if you are not taught properly. In trade school you learn trades in one year which to be honest should take longer...since they just wizz by the subject.

[@Cobalt_027]

The towns economy will prob go to shit.

[@DevonCats2]

I worked in the textile Industry. When the mill got shut down everyone was put out of work. Within 6 months our unemployment benefits ran out. The mill town went down hill. Some people moved away. Others like myself ended up in low paying shit jobs. In the town the divorce rate went up. Domestic calls to the police dept. increased. Along with drug and alcohol problems increased. If the mines shut down that's the future those miners are looking at.

[@johncairns1987]

Not hidden America, Forgotten America.

[@christinelovesyouX]

Scary carrying enough food for a few days if something happens 😳

[@rokia3929]

He’s smart cause I feel dumb when I don’t bring lunch for work

[@eliseoguadarrama5320]

Right here. In Texas, send a ticket. I want to be a coal miner

[@Me-iw5wo]

What an arrogant interviewer.

[@Itsaboutthewaterlife]

Bingo: slighted Jim Booth for his house: as if he doesn't deserve it. Trying to put him in his place.

[@Cobalt_027]

Meanwhile she has a much larger estate for doing jack shit.

[@rossbryan6102]

IT IS A TYPICAL WOMAN THING! IF A WOMAN HASNT WORKED A VARIETY OF JOBS THEY PAINT A PICTURE IN THEIR HEADS OF WHAT A PERFECT JOB FOR THEIR MAN SHOULD BE! WHEN I GOT MARRIED I HAD A JOB AT THE RAILROAD SHOPS AND A DAMN GOOD ONE! AFTER A FEW MONTHS SHE WANTED ME TO QUIT! THE REASON? NONE OF HER GIRL COUSINS AND FREINDS HAD HUSBANDS OR BOY FREINDS WORKING ON THE RAILROAD, AND IT EMBARRASSED HER TO SAY WHERE I WORKED! IT WAS ALSO WORSE! I WAS IN THE ARMY RESERVE IN A NON COMBAT SUPPLY OUTFIT AND SHE WANTED ME TO TRANSFER TO A GREEN BERET OUTFIT IN THE RESERVE ARMORY BUILDING AND WEAR MY UNIFORM WHEN WE WENT TO THE MOVIES OR ATE OUT! THIS WAS DURING VIETNAM WAR ERA AND I WAS NOT STUPID OR CRAZY ENOUGH TO GO ALONG WITH ANY OF THIS CRAP!! I GAVE HER THE HEAVE HO AND KEPT MY RR JOB, AND GOT OUT OF THE RESERVES EARLY, SAVING MYSELF FROM 13 MONTHS OF VIETNAM! THE LAST I HEARD OF HER SHE WAS UP TO HUSBAND # 6 , 40 YEARS AGO! I GOT MY 30 YEARS IN ON THE RR AND RETIRED WITH A GOOD PENSION! IF I EVER SEE HER AGAIN , I WILL ASK HER HOW MUCH SHE GETS ON SOCIAL SECURITY PENSION, THEN I WILL TELL HER WHAT A RR WIFE GETS!!! LOL LOL LOL!!!

[@AA-bs3iy]

Most are. People like her with fragile self esteem, like to look down on people who do manual labor so they can feel better about themselves.

[@redneckillinois2030]

Yep

[@kykrazy6050]

LOVE THAT UK SWEATSHIRT!!!!

[@wdh47211]

Damn....check out Diane going down in a mine underground....that is journalism. Much respect.

[@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606]

WD Harris too bad it was to push her anti mining, anti American industry propaganda

[@hanniballecter4283]

@@loganbaileysfunwithtrains606 Not really. She was just a shitty journalist, and very obnoxious at that.

[@highcaliberexclusive9890]

This is America right here ! Work hard boys and get home to your families.

[@CarlosLopez-hi3pk]

They get paid more than cops wow

[@jeep19]

When they're not collecting welfare or can pass a drug test... opioids 😷

[@pcfire0364]

Well I'd hope so....miners actually work and serve a useful purpose....the cops dont.

[@CanadianMonarchist]

@@pcfire0364 We have to have cops.

[@boknows3841]

In my grandfather's lunch pail was a slice of pie, two sandwiches made with homemade bread, butter, ham, cheese. An apple, a thermos of black coffee, maybe a cookie, a can of Copenhagen and a red bandana. He only ever ate half. And a box of Cherry Ludens coughdrops. Son, that junk food will kill you. Grandma would also make hot soup and put it in a Mason jar.

[@thatNKrider]

been doing this shit for 23yrs, miner operator. XMV #39 Southern West By God Virginia

[@victorsaloum9731]

so youre rich now?

[@robertclure]

Sounds like good honest work.

[@stevepriest7341]

Moon pie best miner's snack

[@osbaldohernandez9174]

80,000 for a house that’s really really cheap when did he buy

[@phillycardshark9257]

Real Americans...not a snowflake among them.

[@jerrybear3081]

yep, bunch of "privileged white men" chiseling rock hundreds of feet below ground to provide for their families.

[@wallgod663]

Jerry Bear the white man keeping them down. It’s all part of the system !! Lmfao

[@MichaelEngeldinger]

I know a guy that lost his uncle in a mine collapse , so sad

[@paleogeology9554]

ive been first a miner and now mine owner since i was 18 yrs old and im now 40. When i see how selfish most city folks are these days it makes me sad, they have no idea what it takes to make all the things they take for granite. These boys are the last of what I call the reliables in our country today. Those boys are there everyday and rarely late, not to mention they very rarely ever complain about anything

[@Jesse-wu5kn]

A wise man once said "A rich man goes to college and a poor man goes to work"

[@bobbobbington3615]

Now college students can't find jobs, and the trades pay incredibly well.

[@fayezentner619]

Did he say 100 job openings

[@urmum7461]

Faye Zentner did she say 60k starting and that's 40 hours no overtime sign me up bruh

[@BigRed6171]

Same I want to get out of California

[@reaperboy7274]

Lots of respect for you guys.

[@christianmclean996]

I have 22years coal experience in Australia 🇦🇺 I am an operator we earn between 90 and AU$150 a year we have drug testing and chest x-rays for black lung each year this is compulsory

[@luxzartheglorious]

around here we do screening once a year for black lung and provide dust filters

[@urmum7461]

Christian McLean who hiring

[@hanniballecter4283]

While that is true I know that standards in the US are pretty far behind countries like Australia when it comes to mining and the like.

[@robertolsen3057]

I work in open pit coal mining as a Heavy Duty Mechanic for a power company in Alberta Canada with my OT I made $185000 last year. I feel the wages are to low for the type of work they do in the U.S. risking there life.

[@urmum7461]

Robert Olsen 185,000 US dollars damn

[@vickielewallen3799]

Watch the video of Richard Burton, the actor, talk about his father's life as a coal miner. He had loved and took such pride in his work. It was a short but great, and eye-opening, video.

[@slumbdog5635]

That's the attitude lift with the back get black lung like a real man.

[@Wrooth]

Lmao 😂

[@luxzartheglorious]

yeah, but black lung is abit more rare now as its abit more ventilated now

[@irishpotato789]

even though im british my grandfather was in a coal miner uk mines are normally narrower than american mines

[@yeadontwearitout]

Chips, rolaids, candy bars, and mountain dew for lunch, unbelievable. I get the feeling a lot of their health problems come from unhealthy food decisions. Just buy a bag of fruit, baby carrots, bread and jam, and drink water or apple juice. I'm no dietician but stay away from the vending machine options. Don't spend so much on junk food its killing you

[@i_like_the_7]

God bless you ma'am and may God keep your boys safe, amen ❤️

[@heidimurphy4463]

Power

[@pupupipichorrorelief4909]

id rather work at mcdonalds than get black lungs

[@luxzartheglorious]

pussy

[@Skankhunt98745]

pupupipichorro relief you must be a lazy millennial.

[@g_rein_mlak]

for over 100 years everyone has known that being a coal miner completely sucks... whats your point?

[@heidimurphy4463]

Yes it’s a hard life

[@landonwilliams4747]

God bless the coal miners

[@AsianCreations]

60k a year?!? lmao sign me up!

[@brightbite]

Side killing him, sounds like kidney stones. :/ Crappy water supply.

[@mydab66]

Respect for the miners(coming from a mexican)

[@donaldpollard5981]

60k a year is a good living.

[@subswithnovideos-tn2eb]

RetroGuy76 that’s why I think college is kinda silly I mean 20 years with a non combat job in the military you can make 80,000+ a year. And you have a job you can use in the civilian world. Like a Avionics Engineer in the Air Force.

[@livetoboardteam]

Yea they clearly hate their jobs tho

[@davidjohnston5033]

livetoboardteam Everyone hates their job, but we do it to make something of our selves. I run into a burning building for a little more than half that. Guess what, I’m happy to get it. BTW, We work a 48 hour week.

[@urmum7461]

Donald Pollard especially in the middle of nowhere where a house is 80k 60k a year ur dumb rich there

[@rancidmilktogo6129]

1000 subs with no videos Or you can go to college, get a degree in civil engineering, and be making $100k+ in your 20s.

[@MrStaybrown]

Opiods, meth, heroin are rampant in mines nowadays.