NOC "Bubba Teeth" the night rotation. in Tales of the Jointed Track

Well how do I start off this entry into here? I am filling in off my rotation, on nights. As a Company Officer, you are obligated and required to work, as needed and when needed, and your days off ? LOL Yeah, what days off, you are bound to the Company. I have to say though, the Locomotive Utilization, made sure you were paid back on days off, worked. It worked out, so there is no complaints on my part.

Bubba Teeth ???? Yeah those goofy, make ya look stupid, etc... I had a set. The off rotation people, Gary Schimdt had a set as well. It is nights, 530 pm to 530 am, there is still, a lot going on. It is not as high profiled, and under the microscope as on the day shift. WE Had Our Sets of BUBBA TEETH, in our possesion this shift.

NOC ...Night shift ...The New Southeastern Chief:

The power desks, we always got "visits', or asked to go and talk to certain business units. Plus the Chief's and Corridor Superintendents, would visit or leave "voice mails". Standard operating procedure.

It is kinda of quiet, for the railroad tonight. Things are working well, no problems, it is nice. So out come the BUBBA Teeth... It will break the monotony, and bring a laugh.

The Southeastern Chief is new. We didn't know that. This is his first shift at the NOC. The Southeastern Chief, did the former Frisco territory and the newly acquired southern trackage rights to the eastern seaboard. He came over to talk to the Southeast desk, but didn't know where the pod was.

The South Central desk, and the South Eastern Desks, have taken a break. Either for lunch, or just to get away. We didn't stay away long, 10 maybe 15 minutes. The new Chief shows up with a question, he goes right to Gary Schmidt, and Gary has his Bubba teeth in. LOL and then comes over to me, I have my set in. These are the ugliest, putrid sights, you can imagine, and if you are new...Well it was a sad sight, and he tried to disguise his surprise.

I told him the, Southeast desk should be back soon and we'll make sure he contacts you. He is visibly shaken, somewhat, due to our looks with these stupid teeth in. He walks back to his pod. We get a good laugh. I take out my Bubba teeth, and go to his pod. He is still aghast, and apprehensive. I say "Hey, we didn't know you were new on the job. A note is left, and we will make sure the Southeast Power guy gets with you for your concerns". He seems a little relieved. I also state " We goof around on nights, so don't feel intimidated, we just kinda do stuff, to ease the pressure of the jobs". He eases a bit, laughs, but still unsure about us "power desk" people.

It all worked out, things were taken care of. He still approached us with care for a bit ...lol