What's Happening? (Nuclear Work Schedule/Swagout RV Rally)

[@bradmullins229]

I work for a company that provides custom switchgear solutions for utilities. The security processes for accessing Nuke plants is crazy. Earlier this year I spent a week at TVA Watts Bar, mechanical engineering support for dismantling an existing assembly and documenting for replacement equipment. Due to the entry and exiting policy/procedures we were only productive 5 hours each 8 hour shift at best. I salute you for your commitment to your current employment. As always enjoy your videos and greatly appreciate the time and effort required to post the content. Many folks have no idea of the effort required! -Brad, SW Ohio

[@WanderingWagners]

Yeah security and procedures are no joke at nukes! We call that "hurry up and wait"😂 where you need to be ready at a moments notice but might not be for an hour or so haha You're definitely correct about the amount of time and effort it takes to produce these videos though👏🏻👏🏻

[@margueritebonniwell4818]

My husband worked nuke outages many years ago doing inspections. We traveled together with our 2 toddlers in a Class A motorhome. It can be a challenge, but as you said - that's how you make the big bucks! It's best done when you are young, for sure. Hope the outage goes well, and you are able to rest and relax when it is over. We are approaching retirement now, after about 30 years in the power industry. It can't come too soon!

[@WanderingWagners]

That's what I planned to do in order to travel more/have more time off but maybe in the future. Nice to hear from others in the power industry!

[@mustang1191]

I’ve got 35 years experience in chemical manufacturing and turnarounds are just a fact of life. Sounds like you’re managing fatigue and therefore helping keep everyone safe. Thanks Lynn.

[@WanderingWagners]

I feel like I'm rather talented at sleeping well and keeping on a routine on nights. Probably why I prefer it haha Nice to know I'm not the only one who knows what outages feel like! Thanks

[@ATLJonathanH]

Happy to see influencers that have real jobs!

[@WanderingWagners]

Thanks! We Definitely take pride in having real jobs

[@ATLJonathanH]

Thank you for sharing! You definitely always have had a natural glow about you, now learning that you work at the Nuclear Power Plant makes sense!

[@WanderingWagners]

😂☢️ now you know the secret

[@badgerpa9]

I am proud of you and your coworkers doing this so you neighbors have safe power. I hope everything goes flawless and you guys complete soon and safely.

[@WanderingWagners]

We are doing what we can to get back up and help power this country!☢️👏🏻

[@thesiteseekers7867]

It's a blast and you get to meet other like-minded camping friends!!

[@WanderingWagners]

Yep! Meet your new camping best friends😜

[@robv4053]

I'm with you, Lynn... Working the nights always suited me better. Much more serene than the daytime rat race! Enjoy the 🍺 and think about the new journeys soon to come!

[@WanderingWagners]

Yes! Days has too many big wigs trying to make a name and save the day but they're just in the way😂 Plus morning beer after a long shift just hits different haha

[@EBKRV412]

Great info in this video for sure for the new and seasoned subscribers alike 🍻

[@WanderingWagners]

Thanks! Just wanted to provide a quick update😊

[@PastorThomasB]

It's good to see you. Take care of yourself, and take at least a week's complete vacation after you have done. Good luck.

[@WanderingWagners]

We are hoping to do just that!

[@jimaker2757]

Love the both of you and your channel!! Work when you gotta work and always enjoy The Champagne of Beers!! My life favorite! Stay safe and healthy 👍🏼👍🏼🍺🍺

[@WanderingWagners]

Thank you so much, Jim! We will make it through this and can't wait to see where we will go this year.🍻

[@tanya334]

So happy to see you 😁 I know exactly how you feel , was on-call 24/7 when I was working 😳 5 years of retirement hasn't changed when I wake up 😆 still 3 am . Be Safe 💙

[@WanderingWagners]

Dreaming of retirement as I work all these hours😂

[@towelietowel2286]

OH. MY. GOD! That towel at 2:30! A quality towel is nothing to joke around about. You can never have too many towels!

[@WanderingWagners]

It is a great towel too! Very absorbent.

[@BikesBoatsBivouacs]

Work gets in the way sometimes. Hang in there!

[@WanderingWagners]

It sure does! Haha thank you, Scott👏🏻

[@rickbakker6603]

New here just watched lectric video looking forward to more vids love your super C

[@WanderingWagners]

Welcome to the channel! New videos every Monday evening😁 we love the super C too

[@nowweride3094]

Hang in there Lynn! It sounds like you can see the light at the end of the tunnel! 🇺🇸👍

[@WanderingWagners]

Sometimes that light is an oncoming train😂

[@nowweride3094]

@@WanderingWagners 🤣🤣🤣

[@markbivens131]

You and Mike are such a sweet couple I love watching your videos. Stay safe and happy, love your dogs.😜

[@WanderingWagners]

Thank you so much, Mark! We really appreciate the support

[@harleysgreatadventures7528]

I’d like to see Lynn and Mike open up your own campground!

[@WanderingWagners]

We have very seriously considered that on more than one occasion so it can't be ruled out completely!

[@caverbrad]

Before I retired I did many coal power plant outages. I hated them but in later years we had a bunch of younger guys in the shop who loved overtime and weren't forced as much. We had two units so usually one unit got a long outage and the other a short outage. Beer: I used to think Miller High Life tasted like water so I drank Miller Lite. Now I love the High Life and has to be in bottles.

[@WanderingWagners]

Nice to hear you can relate! I'm still on shift work for issues so hopefully we can get it figured out. As for the beer, high life is my favorite and I agree it is so much better in bottles!

[@jamespavlinik6481]

Hi.....just passed by your plant on the way to Chapin, S.C. Didn't blow the horn passing your campground as we knew you might be sleeping.

[@WanderingWagners]

I'm here at DB every night still haha

[@bertkelly7650]

Nice! Was wondering if you worked on that. Make hay while the sun shines!

[@WanderingWagners]

Yep pretty much! Get it while the greetings gettins good

[@jmontoya1677]

I always wondered why you had such a RADIATING personality!!!!!🤣😂🤣great video!

[@WanderingWagners]

😜 now you know!☢️

[@redgeep87]

I'm currently in a shutdown at our plant. Our power plant is in southern Ohio, natural gas plant. Been on nights for 2 weeks. I'll take nights over days anytime during a shutdown!

[@WanderingWagners]

I agree, I've taken nights every outage I could!

[@andreworton5034]

Hopefully it’s finished up soon! Just booked the maiden voyage for my new Rockwood at Alum Creek!

[@WanderingWagners]

Thanks! Hopefully you have a great maiden voyage👏🏻👏🏻

[@VernonWallace]

Hope Mike staying out of trouble. 😉

[@WanderingWagners]

Yep he's working during the week and hanging with the dogs on the weekends haha

[@andysams6690]

Thank you for sharing. Reminds me of missions I did in the Army during 24-hour operations. Ugh!

[@WanderingWagners]

Thanks for the comment- I was never in the military but it does sound similar!

[@DreamingOutloudRVing]

Yes take care of yourself! Adulting really sucks!

[@WanderingWagners]

Adulting gets in the way of fun sometimes haha

[@jimdietman6939]

Keep your chin up your doing a great job.

[@WanderingWagners]

Thank you!👏🏻

[@CraftingN112DR]

Glad it will be over for you soon. I worked 9 years on 3rd shift as an Aircraft QC Inspector, so I feel ya. We just booked a spot at the Swagout Rally. Wonder how may Super C's will be there?

[@WanderingWagners]

Oh man, 9 years on thirds is pretty rough! I (might) be on my last shift tonight but honestly I doubt it haha Great!👏🏻 I know there will be at least a few super C's in attendance😁 should be a great time!

[@faronkendle201]

can totally relate! keep it up, almost there, one shift at a time

[@WanderingWagners]

Yes exactly! Once shift work starts it's just whatever, I don't think about days off or weekends etc. My life is on repeat until it's over. The worst part is the weeks leading up to the start of the outage haha

[@faronkendle201]

@@WanderingWagners my "best" was 36 hours continuous when I was a correction officer and a riot went down in Mansfield back in the mid 90s. Didn't work at that prison but the one in Lima

[@WanderingWagners]

Now that's interesting!

[@alanlutz2250]

Wow what an ending!

[@WanderingWagners]

Thanks😊

[@ncplantdoctor]

Earning a lot of money makes the grind seem better, but then you and Mike will probably “do a thing”. Can’t wait to see what.

[@WanderingWagners]

Haha we do love to do things😜

[@sitchad]

Refueling and restarting a nuclear power plant is a long process. In my prior life I was the Account Manager for the PG&E Diablo Canyon Power Plant and also had to work odd hours during their refueling and startup to support my company's solutions. By the end I wasn't sure what day of the week it was, LOL. Glad to see you are near the end.

[@WanderingWagners]

I've been in this industry for 16 years and somehow every outage is completely different yet the same haha I'm just hoping it gets wrapped up sooner rather than later. I've heard Diablo canyon was a really nice plant

[@randallard501]

@@WanderingWagners i also work at a nuclear plant with three units. i agree you do get more sleep working nights. we have two outages on even years and one on the odd years.

[@WanderingWagners]

@@randallard501 hopefully you're more efficient at them than this one was😂 well it wasn't bad until we were coming back up and a CRD broke and then it all went downhill for awhile

[@randallard501]

@@WanderingWagners coming back up is when we sit on pins and needles. When we get notification of closing the breaker that’s when you can make after outage plans. Lol

[@randallard501]

@@WanderingWagners I work at browns ferry in the FIN mechanical department.

[@bobanderson413]

Worked night shifts at a nuclear plant, then two coal fires plants. My wife had a day job. We'd kiss at the door as we passed. I'd cook an easy supper that we'd share then off to work I'd go. Outages were always a pain, managers don't get overtime pay, but make up for it in stress. This too shall pass.

[@WanderingWagners]

We don't see each other during the week, only for a few minutes on the weekends😔

[@Boondockin_Bouyers]

We have our site booked and can’t wait to meet everyone!

[@WanderingWagners]

Can't wait!🎉🍻

[@johnnylightning1491]

Long hours for days on end can get rough. I sometimes take a certain type of contract job where it's about the same for the first 2-3 weeks then it back off to only 40-50 hours, but those first couple of weeks are tough. At least you get to live at your house, when I do this I'm in a hotel, but like you say the paychecks are really good. Say hey to Mike for me and I might call you in the next couple of days to get some convection oven cooking tips.

[@WanderingWagners]

I prefer nights to days for most things, but it's nice to have regular 40hrs to enjoy life but it's only here for a limited time so it's not bad. I was going to do contract work and then in the RV. Maybe someday! Haha

[@AlliChuckAdventures]

I bet you can’t wait to get back out camping! Maybe we can live stream with y’all at your meetup this summer!

[@WanderingWagners]

Yeah we are hopefully going to get back out soon🤞🏻 you guys should c'mon up to Ohio for the swagout one year!

[@bobpurs]

Take care Lynn you’ll be back to norm before you know it. 👍

[@WanderingWagners]

Thank you! Let's hope so

[@pahanin2480]

This video is like the iPhone cinematic mode

[@WanderingWagners]

Yes it was, the talking parts anyway.

[@leelee109daddg9]

keep the dogs with you

[@WanderingWagners]

The dogs stay with Mike on the weekends when I'm sleeping and he's home. They can come and go into the Wraith at their leisure during the week when I'm sleeping

[@willbrown8460]

Relax and enjoy. Hopefully you'll be camping in no time. Cheers.

[@WanderingWagners]

That's the plan!😊 thank you

[@barackmycat9448]

Work while you are young, then retire when you are ready. Best wishes.

[@WanderingWagners]

We'd love to retire young too 😂 haha

[@tater0909]

I traveled 8 years as a contractor all over the country. I’ve been in 14 nukes. I currently am full time at St. Lucie nuclear in Florida. Been here over 2 years now

[@WanderingWagners]

I've only been to Davis Besse (my home plant), Perry, Beaver valley, and Fermi. How do you liked being full time vs traveling contractor?

[@tater0909]

@@WanderingWagners I miss the road. I loved to travel. Different places. Different food and drink. But being home has been great. I no longer have to leave my family. I get to be with my son each day.

[@WanderingWagners]

Thank you for sharing! I've strongly considered doing contract work but I would take Mike and the dogs with me along the way. And keep the house as the home base between work and vacations. Never know what the future holds I guess

[@tater0909]

@@WanderingWagners that’s pretty much how it was for me all those years. The time off was wud great. But missing out on the boy was what got me. Good luck. Stay in touch.

[@KenandCarla]

Liked the video…

[@WanderingWagners]

Thank you! We appreciate it😁👏🏻

[@yamata86]

All that extra cash can put liquid springs on the front of the Wraith AND the Jeep.

[@WanderingWagners]

As soon as they develop the liquid spring for the front💸💸😁

[@FollowingtheFitchs]

We'll see you at the #swagout !

[@WanderingWagners]

Maybe even sooner!

[@michaelthompson3679]

Hope you’re done soon but some extra cash is always good take good care of yourself!

[@WanderingWagners]

The extra money definitely helps! Haha

[@davelauraphillips8814]

The brewski means at least 5 hours off!! I was subject to NRC work hour rules and had to take a day off every week. That day off was the worst part of night shift. I had to keep my same wake and sleep schedule and Laura had to sleep at night We always expected the outage to go at least a week late. Apologies to fans of the TV Show "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea", but hope your reactor goes critical soon and once it gets there hope it stays there for a breaker to breaker run. Be safe.

[@WanderingWagners]

Yep this was filmed when I got home from work around 630-7am haha luckily my job isn't a covered position meaning I'm not subject to the covered worker time limits. I hate taking a night off on nights! Plus you lose out on so much money haha Thank you, we are still working our way to mode 4 (again). We made it to NOP/NOT mode 3 before having to return to mode 5 where we still are.

[@davelauraphillips8814]

@@WanderingWagners So close and then back to Mode 5 really sucks. NOP/NOT must have been at or working the vessel pressure test - always a critical path milestone. OBTW - after 44 years as a nuke (38 years commercial at Clintonl) I just retired and don't miss any of those things.

[@WanderingWagners]

CRDM issue, had to be replaced. It wasn't working correctly during testing in mode 3 so down we came to replace it. Luckily we had one in the warehouse! Now other things here and there have kept us in mode 5. Supposed to have been in 3 again by now but we will see if we are able to get to mode 4 tonight🤞🏻

[@davelauraphillips8814]

@@WanderingWagners CRDM - fun. Did you get to go undervessel to inspect the work? I have never been around a commercial PWR, but I assume the CRDMs go in through the bottom like in a BWR. Take care and have a safe shift. EDIT - found a PWR drawing on the interweb and it looks like PWR CRDMs are on top (no BWR moisture separators or steam dryers on top of a PWR). Probably less difficult to replace a CRDM in PWR.

[@jamespavlinik6481]

Are you working for Sirius/Guidant or Washington group??? (Sirius at Palisades now 2.6 Level III receipt)

[@WanderingWagners]

Nope, Been at Davis Besse for 16 years this year. Although I'm the level III receipt here, among other things haha I was offered a contract receipt job for their dry cask storage project at Palisades though. I didn't take it though.

[@stephenpaller7747]

Assuming you work at DB, I've past by your workplace many times :)

[@WanderingWagners]

Yep that's the one haha

[@traveller9625]

Hi Lynn I got a question, what is the latest political feel about new nuke plants? I live about a mile from the Oyster Creek plant in NJ and they just shut it down. It was among the oldest and cost prohibitive to update. There had been talks about putting a smaller peaking plant but havn't heard anymore. I worked in the natural gas industry, pipelines, gas well drilling and production and I was the manager of a LNG facility. So I have a bit of an energy background. Since I have retired I don't keep up with it, the atmosphere seems not to warm on energy. I would appreciate your take at least what you are comfortable to say. I had many visits to Oyster over the years bur since they closed I no longer have contacts

[@WanderingWagners]

Current federal (and most state governments on the NE states) are against nukes, plain and simple. Federal government doesn't want them as they are not considered good in their "new green deal" even though... Nuclear plants are more green than the power sources they "like". Not getting much help from the new plants being built down South, taking forever and costing way more than they originally stated. Nukes should stay and build more but seems they just can't get everything right at the same time.

[@traveller9625]

@@WanderingWagners Thats what I thought. Can't wait to see the plan on disposal of these batteries. Take care Lynn say Hi to Mike

[@erice9536]

Were you working there when they had the major repair to the reactor cover during refueling?

[@WanderingWagners]

Which one😂 I started here in 06 so I missed the head event but I was here for the replacement head outage.

[@erice9536]

@@WanderingWagners My how time flies, had to look it up! The one 20 years ago that seems more like 5 or 10 years ago. lol As a retired air traffic controller, everyone asks me about 911 (off that day), so I had to ask. :)

[@WanderingWagners]

@@erice9536 yeah, it's what we are "known" for sadly

[@dominica2765]

🙏

[@WanderingWagners]

Thank you for watching!

[@coolchef09]

so i am guessing the wraith is at home in the garage and you sleep in there because of the opposite sleep schedules?

[@WanderingWagners]

Yes exactly. It's dark and quiet in there during the day when I'm sleeping and on weekends Mike and the dogs don't have to be quiet because I can't hear anything in the Wraith

[@danofiremano]

When I saw the video of you talking about being in the Wraith, I thought you would have it parked at the Plant and you wouldn't be commuting after 12-14 hour shifts!

[@WanderingWagners]

I have considered that but there's no where to dump or get more water so I'd have to drive it home to do that stuff occasionally and I don't know how they'd feel about it in the parking lot lol plus there's no hot tub or my gym here in the parking lot. And can't have alcohol on site so that's a👎🏻😂 It's parked in the garage where it's dark and quiet!

[@danofiremano]

@@WanderingWagners - I fig'd it was D&Q in the garage & probably your best bet for sleep. TTULaters!

[@tonyalphonse8455]

Must be a interesting job. Well at least u made sum extra money. That's always nice. 👍

[@WanderingWagners]

Extra money is always nice! Outside looking in it does sound like a pretty cool job😊

[@kendallrodgers6123]

What’s your job during these outages Mine is radiation protection What plant are u currently working

[@WanderingWagners]

I'm in quality control and at Davis Besse

[@kendallrodgers6123]

@@WanderingWagners For the last few years have been working primarily at TVA, skipped spring outages due to needing to be home

[@scotty2jobsscotty2jobs34]

I deliver liquid hydrogen to power plants all over the country. I believe they use it to keep the bearings cold in their generators.

[@WanderingWagners]

We don't use any here but we are actually in the process of building our own nitrogen power plant here on site. We were granted federal funds to build and product nitrogen to then sell it

[@Rj-yr1br]

How long have you been at this job just wondering

[@WanderingWagners]

This year is 16 years!

[@Rj-yr1br]

Wow

[@TheBuddyandlilly]

From the pic it looks like your at the Fermi

[@WanderingWagners]

What picture?

[@keepaeyeonit2709]

Your definitely better than me Lynn, after 3 weeks of 12/7 I’m ready to kill🤬🤯😵‍💫. You can see The light is at the end of the tunnel! 😎

[@WanderingWagners]

Luckily nights is more chill so it's not as aggravating as it could be. Hopefully we are nearing start up soon

[@rodgersterling1587]

Rap I need to!! Any spots for bitty?

[@rodgersterling1587]

That was supposed to say Crap!! Bummed we missed last year!

[@WanderingWagners]

Possibly I'm not sure what sites are left specifically so you better just CALL don't want you guys to miss it again👏🏻🍻

[@rodgersterling1587]

@@WanderingWagners I just left a message there. My procrastination is on overload lately

[@WanderingWagners]

Get with the program lol

[@barrymccockinner6153]

Yo girl, need that OF link. For real though.

[@WanderingWagners]

Sorry can't help you out with that

[@pigybak]

What nuke plant?

[@WanderingWagners]

Davis Besse

[@pigybak]

@@WanderingWagners , my bad….I thought he was your supervisor 🤓

[@richardcoyle2635]

Have fun in Ohio. We can’t make it.

[@WanderingWagners]

Thank you, maybe another time

[@lawrenceconstantine]

DO YOU GLOW IN THE DARK NOW

[@WanderingWagners]

Haha no not yet

[@ricwestdoesitwork]

Get some rest Lynn your looking pretty tired.

[@WanderingWagners]

I thought I looked pretty good🤷🏼‍♀️😂

[@ricwestdoesitwork]

@@WanderingWagners You do Lynn but, the long hours catch up with everyone. You take care and be safe.

[@michaelsullivan1262]

Stack them papers!

[@WanderingWagners]

Pretty much what I'm doing!💸💸💸😂

[@paulgostkowski3960]

Hmm.. Mike's job suddenly doesn't sound all that interesting since we've suddenly come to realize the Wandering Wagners now have a nuclear option! Just sayin'. Maybe with the extra $$ you could upgrade to a 45' Renegade and then tow your Wraith? Hang in there, it shall soon pass.

[@WanderingWagners]

😂 people usually don't expect me to say I'm a nuclear worker. An upgrade would be fun but can't go over 39' length because it needs to fit in the garage😂

[@halverdha1]

I have beyond good hearing but I do not know who you work at a nuclear power plant so I could be yours don’t worry about that just in case you didn’t know that you have a Lauren Portland job to do and worry about videos currently you work at a nuclear power plant can you come on now it’s pretty big and important for all of us

[@WanderingWagners]

Yep I've mentioned it several times over the years and most recently a few weeks ago that I work at a nuclear power plant. Been there for 16 years this year!👍🏻

[@WanderingWagners]

Yep I've mentioned it several times over the years and most recently a few weeks ago that I work at a nuclear power plant. Been there for 16 years this year!👍🏻

[@WanderingWagners]

Yep I've mentioned it several times over the years and most recently a few weeks ago that I work at a nuclear power plant. Been there for 16 years this year!👍🏻

[@WanderingWagners]

Yep, I've mentioned it several times over the years and most recently a few weeks ago that I work at a nuclear power plant. Been there for 16 years this year!👍🏻

[@halverdha1]

@@WanderingWagners Somehow that did not stick in my brain and I did not remember that but that’s an important job so it’s gotta be done

[@rayfoor51]

Sounds a little like a prison lockdown, tough work but good money.

[@WanderingWagners]

Haha it kind of looks like prison too with all the armed guards, barricades and razor wire around the plant😂

[@rayfoor51]

Awesome, I know you’re making good money!!!!, keep it up.

[@WanderingWagners]

Thank you!👏🏻💸

[@michaeldeckert6023]

Let Mike take his girlfriend out on outting.. Just because you suffer he doesn't have to suffer!

[@WanderingWagners]

Who is the girlfriend, the RV or Piper?😂

[@michaeldeckert6023]

@@WanderingWagners you got me! Just trying to get you to smile. Hopefully all back on the road soon! Be safe.

[@WanderingWagners]

Thanks hopefully we will be out sooner than later🤞🏻