Looking for the real Red Robbo (my book). Book launch events now added.

[vaughant]

I only had one real observation from the quality control book that stuck with me from "back in the day", and of course this was only you reporting what the documentary wrote but when you mentioned the German apprentices sitting around discussing tolerances and British lads asking about "puddin" that reminded me of a very early "faux pas" in the Ford unwritten rule book, and it's stuck with me to be honest, was that your never discussed work on your break. 

Of course in true Ford tradition, you were met with either a clip or more likely a "shut the fuck up you boring twat, we're on fucking break" 🤣🤣🤣.

It never really dawned on me until I went to work offshore when we had this one particular, well I call him a supervisor but a better title for him would be a know fuck all cunt from Fraserburgh who somehow blagged his way into a £100k a year job working 2 on 3 off but let's just call him supervisor for short. 

Every single, and I mean without fail, time we were on a break, he'd come over with his food and no matter what you were talking about to the other lads, he'd interrupt and start going on about work, what we were going to do after lunch, how much of a useless twat this guy was and how there were people out there who "hove nae even WURRRRRKED offshore before, KENNNNN???" ...... People like me really as it was firmly directed at me as he fucking detested me and 1 other bloke because we "WURRRRRKED in a fucking GORRRRRIGE before so fit the fuck deeee they KENNNNN abooooot fuck all??? Fit like?"..... By a GORRRRRIGE, or garage,he meant a tier 1 car manufacturing facility, me Ford and latterly Honda and the other guy, who was fucking superb, Nissan Sunderland. He also worked for NOV who made 90% of our drilling equipment and taught us all loads...... But because he didn't run up stairways at 60mph, he was useless 🙄🙄🙄. If you've ever worked offshore, you'll know the type of person I'm describing.

He was also one of these cunts that used his right hand with a fork as a shovel to eat with, talking all the way through with his mouth full and eating like it was the last fucking supper or the like. Then the minute he'd finish, regardless of how long you'd been on break he'd say "right let's go then", even if you'd been there 10 minutes of your hour as he REALLY needed to get back out there......to sit at the computer looking at bollox for the next 50 mins. 

After a few trips we all just ignored him saying "aye we'll see you out in a bit" and taking the full hour/45 mins or whatever.

TL:Dr as always but breaks should be breaks, in some places I've worked you were allowed to restart your break if a manager walked in and requested something.... They soon learnt.

[motorpunk]

^ I love that thing about Longbridge apprentices asking about “puddin’” and have mentioned it again in this book. It’s a microcosm of the factory at that time. Great memories you’ve shared @vaughant, thanks.

Getting a few messages and emails about the book launch now. Please invite all and sundry! 

[Matty]

3 hours ago, vaughant said:

I only had one real observation from the quality control book that stuck with me from "back in the day", and of course this was only you reporting what the documentary wrote but when you mentioned the German apprentices sitting around discussing tolerances and British lads asking about "puddin" that reminded me of a very early "faux pas" in the Ford unwritten rule book, and it's stuck with me to be honest, was that your never discussed work on your break. 

Of course in true Ford tradition, you were met with either a clip or more likely a "shut the fuck up you boring twat, we're on fucking break" 🤣🤣🤣.

It never really dawned on me until I went to work offshore when we had this one particular, well I call him a supervisor but a better title for him would be a know fuck all cunt from Fraserburgh who somehow blagged his way into a £100k a year job working 2 on 3 off but let's just call him supervisor for short. 

Every single, and I mean without fail, time we were on a break, he'd come over with his food and no matter what you were talking about to the other lads, he'd interrupt and start going on about work, what we were going to do after lunch, how much of a useless twat this guy was and how there were people out there who "hove nae even WURRRRRKED offshore before, KENNNNN???" ...... People like me really as it was firmly directed at me as he fucking detested me and 1 other bloke because we "WURRRRRKED in a fucking GORRRRRIGE before so fit the fuck deeee they KENNNNN abooooot fuck all??? Fit like?"..... By a GORRRRRIGE, or garage,he meant a tier 1 car manufacturing facility, me Ford and latterly Honda and the other guy, who was fucking superb, Nissan Sunderland. He also worked for NOV who made 90% of our drilling equipment and taught us all loads...... But because he didn't run up stairways at 60mph, he was useless 🙄🙄🙄. If you've ever worked offshore, you'll know the type of person I'm describing.

He was also one of these cunts that used his right hand with a fork as a shovel to eat with, talking all the way through with his mouth full and eating like it was the last fucking supper or the like. Then the minute he'd finish, regardless of how long you'd been on break he'd say "right let's go then", even if you'd been there 10 minutes of your hour as he REALLY needed to get back out there......to sit at the computer looking at bollox for the next 50 mins. 

After a few trips we all just ignored him saying "aye we'll see you out in a bit" and taking the full hour/45 mins or whatever.

TL:Dr as always but breaks should be breaks, in some places I've worked you were allowed to restart your break if a manager walked in and requested something.... They soon learnt.

We don't do that either. No talk about work at dinner time or when we go out. Hate folk like that. All these people with lives outside work and interests, opinions and stuff and all they can talk about is nuts and bolts.

[vaughant]

15 hours ago, motorpunk said:

^ I love that thing about Longbridge apprentices asking about “puddin’” and have mentioned it again in this book. It’s a microcosm of the factory at that time. Great memories you’ve shared @vaughant, thanks.

Getting a few messages and emails about the book launch now. Please invite all and sundry! 

Thanks so much, lovely comment. 

It was a huge part of my working life within the automotive industry, I think 18-20 years overall and while there were many ups and downs, it allowed me to buy a house, have holidays, good standard of living, all the cool cars I wanted and never truly worry about money. 

The standard of apprenticeship was amazing as well, what they taught us, although totally unappreciated at the time, I now see in later life made me the engineer I am today. I feel really sorry for a lot of the people I've worked with over the years who were effectively paid lackeys who got a certificate at the end of it rather than any actual proper training, mainly the lack of the basics, an "it'll do" attitude you knew you couldn't get away with in automotive as you'd be crucified 🤣🤣🤣.

My mate read the book who did his time in Cowley and said he couldn't stop laughing, I reckon he's got a good idea who you might be or at least the company you worked for. The "Honda legend" toolbox story is a great one, he reminisces very happily about being 17 and driving a 2.7 toolbox around the place 🤭🤭.

Best of luck with the launch 😀😀😀.

[IronStar]

13 hours ago, Matty said:

We don't do that either. No talk about work at dinner time or when we go out. Hate folk like that. All these people with lives outside work and interests, opinions and stuff and all they can talk about is nuts and bolts.

Interesting. I don’t work in anything related to cars, but it’s normal for us to talk work stuff all the time. 

[Matty]

1 hour ago, IronStar said:

Interesting. I don’t work in anything related to cars, but it’s normal for us to talk work stuff all the time. 

In fairness where I work the lads are brilliant. Hasn't always been the case at other jobs.

[Fat_Pirate]

After passing a routine check for any cat-apologist propaganda, I've been allowed to read this and I'm very much enjoying it. 

[richardmorris]

Page 7 gets my first laugh out moment.

[Stinkwheel]

And they’ve arrived ….

 

[DaveDorson]

1 hour ago, richardmorris said:

Page 7 gets my first laugh out moment.

I shared that in a group chat with some of my IT mates and we all had a chuckle.

[motorpunk]

3 hours ago, richardmorris said:

Page 7 gets my first laugh out moment.

I always fret over jokes in print. Great to get a laugh. I am so happy to get this sort of feedback, I love writing but then can’t sleep fretting over feedback and if people will enjoy my words. Have a cracking weekend and thanks to EVERYONE who is buying my shite books. 
 

See you at Rustival?

[Hawkal]

Just finished it, mighty read! Got some great laughs out of it.

Very interesting about the pronunciation of Birmingham, there is a New Birmingham in South Tipperary which I often heard called “Brim a gen” by locals.

More here for interested (bored) folk https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Birmingham