Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Gate Guard Services, Whitsett, Texas

On Sunday three gate guards moved to new assigned gates, so we moved over to full hookup sites.  Nice to be settled with hookups as we wait for our paperwork to be approved and be assigned our own gate to work. I had to laugh as I had been worried when I had read some blogs that were saying the lot was full in Whitsett and I had pictured 25-30 rigs waiting for a gate LOL. Happily, it was only five sites and they seem to move out in a timely manner, although one rig has been in for nine days.

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We were so excited to find out our friends, The Two Lindas, were moving from Port Aransas to Schertz and were driving right through Whitsett. We last saw them in South Fork, Colorado, this last summer. They arrived around 11:30 and we were able to spend a couple of hours together. We sure enjoyed checking out their new toy hauler Class A.  Quite a set up that I really liked, especially the loft bedroom.

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We had lunch at a barbeque restaurant across Hwy 37 from us. Jim said the brisket was very good.  After more socializing and catching up, we bid them farewell, knowing we’ll see them again as we’ll be within 100 miles of each other for the next couple of months.

The Mossmans drove with us to Kennedy, Texas, to visit more friends, Rita and Jerry Scarbrough, who are the ones responsible for us being gate guards.  We first met Rita and Jerry in Coffeyville, Kansas, in 2009 when we all worked at Amazon.com together and were at the same RV park. 

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I had to laugh when I took another photo, but this time with the flash on.  LOL, all you see is the reflective tape…kind of funny.

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It was good to speak with yet another gate guard and learn how they do things and actually watch them do their job. The Scarbroughs have been gate guarding for almost a year, so they have a lot of good information to share.  It is an easy job, just a lot of up and down off a chair and in and out of the rig. And, of course, it is a 24/7 job, so someone has to be at the gate at all times.  That should really help the budget as there won’t be any going out to eat together anymore. 

Monday another gate guard couple got assigned a gate and off they went first thing in the morning.  Jim and I drove to Pleasanton about 30 miles away to check out the H.E.B. store and to do a little laundry.  We are so happy to be in an area with an H.E.B. grocery store as they are really nice with good meat/seafood selection and superior produce, IMHO.

By 1 p.m. it started to rain, which was actually refreshing.  We’ve only been in a couple of rain showers since September and it was kind of nice.  We sat under the Mossman’s awning with another gate guard couple again learning more about this new job.  They were hooked up and ready to go, just waiting for the service guy to hook up the water/generator trailer and take them to their new gate.  In mid-sentence they got the word and off they went.  So now it is just the Mossmans and us here in the lot waiting for a gate assignment.

We enjoyed a great navy bean soup at the Mossman’s for dinner and then enjoyed TV till bedtime.

OK, now I am caught up on my blog…goody! I’m a bit concerned how much blogging I’m going to be able to do around here, as Texas is AT&T country and Verizon cell phone and internet service can be “iffy”.  Here in Whitsett it has been full bars all around without any problem, but we’ve heard some of the gates are in areas where an antenna and booster may be needed.  Since we’ll only be here for a couple of months this time, we’ll just suffer through if need be, and may have to limit blog posts to when we go to the laundry or something.  I’ll let you’ll know though.

See you later…..remember, you are loved.

13 comments:

  1. Enjoyed your blog. Hope they move you out soon. We are about 4 miles north of Karnes City on a Marathon gate. I have verizon air card also. There has been times the download was bad, but i have always been able to get online, with the Wilson Booster. Check out my blog @ www.rvtexasgateguaed.com
    Joel (Betty)

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  2. Great to see that you are off and running. Jim and I will be awaiting all of your news about the new job. Several things have changed since we saw you last week but we are still hoping to follow you later this year.

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  3. Hi Joel: Thanks for stopping by and checking out my blog...how did you find me? I don't have a booster, just a small Radio Shack antenna that works for me in Colorado, but I doubt will work here, but we'll see. Hope you keep checking out my blog. Bobbie

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  4. Don and Sharon SmithJanuary 31, 2012 at 6:33 PM

    I have heard that Verizon is iffy. We are at Artesia Wells about 50 miles north of Laredo. We have both Verizon and AT&T phones and I have the Verizon MiFi and have great service as we had in Whittset. I have been in several places in Texas and have not lost Verizon at all. Good luck and we hope you get an easy gate.

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  5. Sounds like you found a nice place to spend a couple of months. Do you know when you will be back in the South Fork area? This year I WILL NOT miss coming by to meet you 2.

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  6. Hi, Can I ask you where you applied for the gate guard position ?
    My partner and I are seriously considering trying to get hired on . Do u have any suggestions for us ?
    Thanks Doris

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    1. We work for Gate Guard Services, their website is gateguardservices.com Pro

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  7. Hi! Going to Whitsett now to get certified, or whateve it entails. My Mom needs relief. My husband and I work full time, however a couple Saturdays a month will be good for Christmas money! I enjoyed reading your blog. We're locals from Pleasanton, Texas

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    Replies
    1. C. Davidson - gate guarding doesn't work like that....you can't just decide you are going to go down to Whitsett on any Saturday and gate guard.....it's a 24/7 in your own RV.

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  8. Bobbie & Jim,
    Hi. I did a search of gate guarding and your blog popped up. My husband and I have thought of doing it but haven't checked into it very far. We have been camp hosting in Colorado in 2009, 10 and 11 until the company we were with had their contract underbid. Then in 2012 in Arizona until we had to come home because of eye problems.
    I saw where you worked for Amazon.com in 09. We did also but in Campbellsville, KY.
    Jean & Carl

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  9. I'm excited to learn about your experience with gate guarding. My husband retires in 2 1/2 year and we are considering gate guarding to supplement our retirement income. Thank you for sharing

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  10. Hi Bobbie & Jim,

    I am glad I came across your blog, I am a single female with 2 "4 legged kids" and wondered if there are many opportunities for a single person. I was not going to go full time until next spring and I did NOT want to go south in the spring/summer, but if a paying position presents itself for the late fall and winter I'm OK with the south and could leave this year. I realize the position is 24/7 but I'd like a little more info about it from someone who has been there done that.

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  11. Ha ha, I found you...you are loved also

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