Whitlow Smoke School
Nation
How to Choose a Smoke School
Why
you should choose Whitlow Smoke School
Just like buying a new car. Find out what the others have to
say about the dealer.
What Others are saying about Whitlow Smoke Schools EPA
Reference Method 9 Visible Emissions Opacity Training
My momma always used to say, "Every picture tells a story. don't
it." Do you see what I am saying? This story is for all of you first timers who
are veterans of the smoke school dread from the other providers. Been there,
done that, took a picture of it. Look at these smiles. Have you in your wildest
imagination ever dreamed of walking away from smoke school feeling so happy?
That's what I'm talking about. Need I say more?
If you attended a Whitlow Smoke School and you liked it, then
tell everybody. If you did not like us, then don't tell nobody. That is what my
Momma Always used to say.
Click here to make a comment about our smoke school training.
Click
here to make comments about our web page. I will post good comments here on
the web page. I will listen to the bad comments and try to make changes to suit
our customers. While you are thinking about it, and about how good we really
are. You can earn a discount or a free t-shirt
Refer a Friend to Smoke School
Over the years there have been a
select few people that would have made some bad comments about Buck's Smoke
School, but we let Amos Moses use them for Alligator Bait. Since then, we
haven't heard a negative word. Like my momma always use to say, If you like us
tell every body, and if you don't like us don't tell nobody.
Catch my drift, son?
These are the good comments:
A professional letter of
recommendation from one my friends Union Tank Car UTLX Ville Platte Louisiana- Gary Fontenot whom I have trained every 6
months since 1995- Download this professional recommendation in
Microsoft Word.
I remember back when I was going
through an awful divorce, I wanted to move from Indiana to Ville Platte. I sent
Gary an email asking if he thought I could change my name to Boudreaux, speak
with a French Cajun Accent, learn how to cook a gumbo, buy a house on
Bayou
Teche, pass for Cajun, and open a bait shop like my favorite book character,
Dave Robicheaux, created by my mentor New Iberia Louisiana Author James Lee
Burk . Gary sent me a reply- learn how to cook steak and move back to Baton
Rouge.
| Name : Jay Bozman
|
| URL : |
| Company Name : Maryland
Dept. Environment |
| Chief products : Air
inspections, air permits for the State of Maryland; Dept.of Environment
|
| Location : Salisbury,
Maryland 21801 |
| email address :
|
| Comments about the
web site :
Very good. It made me smile and a smile is always good for you!!
|
Comments about smoke school :
I have been an environmental inspector for the state of Maryland for 27
years and your smoke school is the best. I learned more about smoke reading
0%-50% than in any other smoke school ( and I have been to many smoke
schools over the years) and for the first time I enjoyed
going.
Gents,
Thank you for your prompt response
and flexibility with our team the last (2) weeks in aid of
accommodating the July 28 Method 9 training here at the
Plant Vogtle project. We enjoyed the training as we always
have as when we have traveled to you for training. Your crew was very proficient not to mention
made the training session enjoyable. We look forward to
seeing you for the next training class in January . I will
send the next attendees as that information becomes
available.
Thank you once again,
Brenda Reed
EH&S Specialist 2
Shaw Environmental Health & Safety
Nuclear Services / Construction
Vogtle Units 3 & 4
7828 River Road
Waynesboro, GA 30830
ShawTM a world of
Solutions
www.shawgrp.com
Danzell, Sheila"
Sheila.Danzell@weyerhaeuser.com
Dear Mr. Whitlow,
I recently took the Method 9
training in W. Monroe. It was quite an experience that
I really enjoyed! I also learned a lot.
The meal was delicious. It
was the first time that I’d ever had deer meat.
So far, I’ve attended Smoke School
held by 2 separate companies, including yours, and I liked
yours the best.
See you in six months.
Thank you.
Sheila
Sheila D. Danzell
Environmental Manager
Weyerhaeuser
|
·
company name:
Gateway Energy and Coke Company
·
· Your
position in the company:
Environmental Manager
·
Desk
phone number:
No
desk phone yet
·
Current smoke school provider:
We are currently shopping for a
provider
·
A
brief description of your
requirements to use EPA Method 9
to read opacity for dust or
smoke:
We are required to do daily,
weekly, monthly readings at our
coking plant.
Currently our plant is
under construction, but we want
to have our people trained prior
to start up in
October 2009
·
Why
you want a box of
chocolates:
Chocolate is one of the 4
main
food groups which the FDA states
should be eaten every day. As
such, by providing my team with
a box of
chocolates
made in a cornfield from our
neighboring state of Indiana,
you are
ensuring that the Gateway Energy
team is meeting it daily
recommended requirements. Or
you can just have one sent as a
bribe so we pick your company to
provide us with the necessary
training.
From: ToddM.FOSTER@usa.messier-bugatti.com
<ToddM.FOSTER@usa.messier-bugatti.com>
Subject: smoke school comment or
question
To: smokeschool@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, May 4, 2010, 7:09
AM
Hello
all!
I was at the smoke school the
other day in Frankfort, KY at
the Buffalo Trace Distillery -
GREAT training environment by
the way!
Anyway, one of your guys
cooked-up some of the best white
bean soup I've ever tasted.
Now, because I married for
looks and not kitchen skills, I
do all the cooking for our
family of four, and I have
developed some tasty dishes over
the years. And on occasion, I
share my concoctions with family
and friends. Since I've been
attending your smoke school for
several years now, do you
consider me close enough kin to
share that recipe with me?
If not, I completely understand.
Take care, and I'll see you in
6 months.
Todd
______________________________
Todd M. Foster QEP, CHMM, CSHO
EH&S Risk Manager
Uncle Buck replies:
Thanks for the favorable
comments and the flowers. I have
always known that Dave and his
crew 2 do an excellent job, but
is still is good news to get
someone to take the time to send
us great comments. We are always
experimenting with new things to
cook for our friends and
customers. We know you have a
choice of smoke school
providers. We like to think that
you chose us because we are the
best. We do try harder. It is
all about customer service, the
same thing that I wish I could
get at Lowes or Walmart. This is
probably why I would rather shop
at the local grocery store or
hardware store. I have a few
hardware stores that will load
up my hay and horse food while I
am standing in line to pay for
it. They see me coming, they
know what I need and load it
into the back of the truck. All
of our recipes are posted on our
webpage.
Recipes Cajun and Southern
Cooking Thanks again, be
well do good work and stay in
touch.
--- On Thu, 5/6/10, Rampulla,
John B. <JBRAMPUL@southernco.com>
wrote:
From: Rampulla, John B. <JBRAMPUL@southernco.com>
Subject: VE cerification -
Mobile, Al 04-20-2010
To: "smokeschool@yahoo.com"
<smokeschool@yahoo.com>
Date: Thursday, May 6, 2010,
9:44 AM
I
attended smoke school at
the Mobile, Al session
April 20th. The April
20th session was the 3rd
time I have used Whitlow
as my smoke school
training. Thank you for
making smoke school
enjoyable. I have been
attending "smoke
schools" for over 10
years and you guys make
certification a pleasure
to attend.
I recently performed a
VE and need my
certification to include
in the report to our
state agency. A .pdf
copy will be fine or it
can be faxed to
850-444-6751.
Thank You,
John B. Rampulla
Environmental Affairs -
Gulf Power
We always love to attend your smoke school and hear your stories.
You’re the best!!!
Thank You,
Randy Coleman
Planters Cotton Oil Mill, Inc
|
From: George Lesnak <cgtlesnak@sbcglobal.net>
Subject: I like the web page
the way it is
To: smokeschool@yahoo.com
Date: Wednesday, February
10, 2010, 6:36 PM
You guys are great!
I’ve been coming to
your smoke school
for several years
now ( Cleveland Ohio
) and I think the
guy
(That would be me-
Uncle Buck)
that talks while
we’re taking the
tests is hilarious.
Don’t change your
website-it’s great.
Thank goodness for
companies like you
to put a smile on
everyone’s face.
I just love people like you George…and I couldn’t let the day go by without me telling you so. Have a great day…you just started mine off right!
|
Best guitar pickin' I have heard in a while!!
Thanks!
Danny Smith
MPC Plant Daniel
|
|
|
--- On Tue, 6/2/09, Angie Atkins <aatkins@severstalms.com> wrote:
From: Angie Atkins <aatkins@severstalms.com>
Subject: I like the web page the way it is...
To: smokeschool@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2009, 2:22 PM
Sounds like someone needs to lighten up. Wish I had time to worry
about professionalism of a web page. As long as I get the info I
need it doesn’t matter to me. If I have the time I catch up on the
latest Whitlow news if not I just click to what I need which is
generally the schedule.
Thanks!
PS. I had a gentleman who was unable to make the class yesterday in
Birmingham . Can I transfer the payment to the Jackson Ms class
scheduled in July?
Sara Sills
Senior Environmental Services Technician
UOP A Honeywell Company
1 Linde Drive
Chickasaw, Alabama 36611
By the way, this was a great smoke school. The crew was very professional.
|
|
--- On Tue, 6/2/09, Doug Broussard <Doug.Broussard@trin.net>
wrote:
From: Doug Broussard <Doug.Broussard@trin.net>
Subject: RE: Whitlow New Services Video Productions for Safety and OSHA
training
To: "Whitlow Smoke School EPA" <smokeschool@yahoo.com>
Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2009, 2:16 PM
George,
I've been attending your smoke schools forever 5 years now, and have
held a method 9 certification for over 20. Anyone complaining about
your teaching methods needs to attend some of the smoke schools from
the early 90's. I suspect the complainers don't know what they are
talking about. I'm trying to keep this civil since I don't like to
put anything in a email I'd mind seeing on the Times Picayune front
page, but there are some good Cajun phrases that would probably
accurately describe their attitude and personality. I think it
translates to something like the south end of a north bound horse.
Good luck on the new concrete and construction business.
Doug Broussard
Environmental & Safety Rep. Trinity Marine Products Plant 48
&
USAF Academy Class of 1968
GO AIR FORCE
On Tue, 6/2/09, ECI Co-Gen <ecicogen@earthlink.net> wrote:
From: ECI Co-Gen <ecicogen@earthlink.net>
Subject: I like the web page the way it is
To: smokeschool@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2009, 7:31 AM
Keep it ! Looks friendly. Many company websites look very
"professional" but the companies aren't worth two cents.
--- On Mon, 6/1/09, Andrews, David <dandrews@ipr-us.com> wrote:
From: Andrews, David <dandrews@ipr-us.com>
Subject: I like the web page the way it is
To: smokeschool@yahoo.com
Date: Monday, June 1, 2009, 3:21 PM
I think the web page is
fine just like it is. Most “professional people are usually a pain
in the butt!
David Andrews
ANP/Coleto Creek
Power Station
P.O. Box
8
Fannin, Tx 77960
361-788-5100
dandrews@ipr-us.com
Don’t change a thing. There ought to be more good natured
people like yourselves in this world. I’m sure if there were the world would be
a much better place to live. You have taken a very stressful situation and
turned it into something that is enjoyable. Trust me I know, I would not rest
for days knowing that my re-certification was around the corner, now I almost
look forward to it. Love your web page. Keep up the good work. See ya in
November. Mike DelGreco, Nucor Steel Marion Ohio.
On Mon, 6/1/09, Reilly John <John.Reilly@aksteel.com> wrote:
From: Reilly John <John.Reilly@aksteel.com>
Subject: I like the web page the way it is
To: "'smokeschool@yahoo.com'" <smokeschool@yahoo.com>
Date: Monday, June 1, 2009, 12:37 PM
Keep up the good
work ---- and keep passing me if possible!
John Reilly
Staff Engineer -
Environmental Control
AK Steel - Butler
Works
PO Box 832
Butler PA
16003-0832
(724) 284-2334
office
(724) 822-9505
cell
John.Reilly@AK
Steel.com
On Mon, 6/1/09, Neal.Osullivan@conectiv.com <Neal.Osullivan@conectiv.com>
wrote:
From: Neal.Osullivan@conectiv.com <Neal.Osullivan@conectiv.com>
Subject: I like the web page the way it is
To: smokeschool@yahoo.com
Date: Monday, June 1, 2009, 9:22 AM
I very much enjoy the web page and
would not like to see it changed to a more "professional" format.
Neal O'Sullivan
On Mon, 6/1/09, Philip White <pdwhite@cableone.net> wrote:
From: Philip White <pdwhite@cableone.net>
Subject: I like the web page the way it is
To: smokeschool@yahoo.com
Date: Monday, June 1, 2009, 8:23 AM
Definitely, not the usual corp. website
but; therein lies the redeeming virtue
Philip D. White
Pastor, Behling &
Wheeler, LLC
Senior Scientist
2407 Moores Lane
Pastor, Behling & Wheeler, LLC
Texarkana, Texas , 75503-1607
There is nothing
wrong with the web page. I actually like
the stories and some of the music.
You’re school is the best that I have
attended in the last 15 years or so and
believe me, I have attended more than
one. The other schools I attended always
tried to skip around and make you fail,
and I don’t think that is the purpose of
smoke school at all. Thanks for running
a good clean straightforward school with
no games. The other three employees that
I bring with me also agree that your
school is the best. We will continue to
come to your schools.
Billy Ferguson
Arkansas Steel
Associates
Environmental
Manager
|
You said:
I had a complaint about the web page being
unprofessional. The complaint made tears form. I was writing web pages for fun
and entertainment years before I ever thunk about starting smoke school
business. There is a link on www.smokeschool.net at the top for your opinion.
Like always I will follow the majority- so vote.
I did not see the link, but here is my vote:
I will tell you what Butch; some people just have no
sense of humor. There are people out there that are so smug, you could flip them
a quarter and they could buy a better personality than they have now. I walk
down the street and I speak to everyone; hello there, good morning, and how do
you do? Many people return the greeting, but there are also many people so smug
and self-righteous they just stick their noses up. I cannot figure out why they
think they are so much better than everyone else is. Maybe their face would
break if they smiled, I don’t know; but I greet them anyway. Those are the kind
of people that would not like your website, which happens to be a true work of
art. I love the songs, the characters, and the humor. A normal person just has
to love it. Do not feel bad; no matter how hard you try in the world, someone is
not going to like you; but that is just their loss. When Jesus did his first
miracle on earth and turned the water to wine at the wedding feast, if these
self-righteous smug people were there; they would have complained to Jesus, too;
I wanted imported wine. Yes, Butch, you can be proud of a very professional web
site that picky people can only be jealous of.
Robert E. Counselman
Area Manager, Power and Utility Maintenance
Business Unit Leader for Power and Utilities
Campbell Soup Supply Company L.L.C.
Office Phone and Voice Mail: 419.599.6794
E-mail:
robert_counselman@campbellsoup.com
Homepage:
http://robertcounselman.spaces.live.com/
I just loved your story about how
you used to take smoke school in the rain and cold over and over. That brought
back a lot of bad ETA memories. I remember the last time; I was trying to read
smoke with ETA standing across a road with traffic driving in between us and the
smoke stack. People stopping while we are trying to read and saying, what are
you all doing. That was when I drove off half way through the test and never
went back. And those holier than thou sacred ETA people think they are so great.
What a bunch of ….
Contributed by Robert Conselman E H
S for Campbell's Soup
From: Gracie, Chuck <Chuck.Gracie@rollcoater.com>
Subject: smoke school comment or questionl
To: smokeschool@yahoo.com
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2009, 8:04 AM
George,
My compliments to the crew who did the
Smoke School at Pittsburgh yesterday (4/13/09). It was cold and overcast
and not the best day to read smoke, let alone pass a certification test.
They were patient and professional, repeating the standards as
requested.
You have a great group of people
performing a difficult job under nasty conditions. Although I thanked
them for their help, please pass this along to those who need to see it.
I have been attending your Smoke School
since 2005 and look forward to it. You folks are interested in the
students learning how to read smoke (compliance), rather than focusing
on failing everybody to try to prove something to the regulators. Common
sense prevails - finally.
Thanks,
Chuck Gracie
EHS Coordinator
Roll Coater, Inc.
4502 Freedom Way
Weirton, WV 26062
My Reply to these generous email:
I am extremely
honored and humbled by your comments. Thank you so much. Before 2001 I
had conducted this school for Louisiana DEQ. Before that I was an
inspector on your side of the smoke machine and I took the hard test
over and over again. They did not do any teaching, just banged into it
as if you had been taking the test for years. There were a few years
that I took it about 15 times and just could not pass. One particular
day I stayed taking the test to the very last minute, did not pass, and
had to rush across town for a deposition in a court case. I helped cause
a 5 car accident during the 1 PM rush hour on interstate 10 over LSU
Lake. Except for the grace of God I would have been killed easily. I was
not hurt, but the ongoing traffic investigation and paper work with the
state vehicle delayed the deposition until the next day and I never did
take the test again. Since I was not certified I had to find another
means of occupying my work time other than doing opacity readings during
inspections. It would be 6 months until I was able to try again.
This was one of the
straws that broke the camels back. I guess I was led to this smoke
school, my new calling. As a direct result of my testimony several
career industrial plant EHS and one operator with 20 years on the job
lost their jobs as a simple result of a mistake by not putting the wet
scrubber on manual mode while the operator was washing a truck. We
happened to be there at midnight investigating a complaint during a
class action law suit involving a hazardous waste plant. The 9 million
dollar award and the 4 million dollar penalty and the firing of all of
those workers shocked me.
I was bound and
determined after all of this to teach compliance and the importance of
compliance. I was also determined to teach how to pass the test and
teach people how to make opacity second nature. I have tried to select
employees that would exercise the same philosophy and be team players.
To be honest finding good help is hard to do. I am very pleased and self
assured that people like you inform me that my employees are doing a
good job.
From: Fielder, Greg D <Gregory.Fielder@valero.com>
Subject: smoke school comments and suggestions
To: "smokeschool@yahoo.com" <smokeschool@yahoo.com>
Date: Friday, April 17, 2009, 6:24 PM
I attended your smoke school today in Delaware
City. I have been attending ETS classes for years and I have always
dreaded the twice-yearly certifications. No more!! Your guys were
awesome and turned what had been an awful chore into something fun.
Thank you so much,
Greg Fielder
Refinery Shift Supervisor
Valero Delaware City
Oh, and I love your web site.
On Dec 12, 2008 Robert Conselman of Campbell's Soup emailed me
this Company News Letter that he composed about
our open enrollment smoke school we hold every 6 months at their plant in
Napoleon near Toledo. I appreciate Robert and his very nice comments and you
will too.
I just attended your smoke school yesterday, 2/19/08, for the
first time. I
had been going through someone else before.
I must say that I am extremely pleased with the way you handle your
classes. I was made to feel welcome which in turn made me relax.
A friend of mine from another mill recommended you to me and I will
certainly come back and will tell anyone else about you.
Thanks again for the effort that you put into making us all feel welcome
enough to relax and get it done.
Thank you,
Richard
Franklin Lumber
richard.bailey1@ipaper.com
George: I just completed the smoke school at
Otter Creek Park near Louisville Ky. I
want to tell you what a wonderful job Dave and
his crew did. I like the way he conducts his
training session. To any one who ask I tell
them your schools are a learning experience in
opacity reading.
Due to my up coming retirement this was my
last class. Keep up the good work! James
K. Kennedy
|
Richey LaGrone <richey.lagrone@husqvarna.com>
wrote:
I enjoy the e-mails and stories, keep them
coming. You're field classes are the most enjoyable classes around, I have
been to other smoke classes and you are the best.
Richey LaGrone
Environmental Technician
Husqvarna Outdoor Products Inc.
870 845-6817
Hope all is well
Missed you in Frankfort last time
Make a great day
Bruce
Bruce N. Fergusson, PE
President
Air Source Technology, Inc.
160 Prosperous Place, Suite 201
Lexington, KY 40509
Phone:
859-299-0046
Fax:
859-299-0494
lsadkins@aep.com wrote:
I read the stories, downloaded the music,
voted for Ralph Nader (or was that Oprah-Obama), watched a C-5 fly overhead,
and then ran outside to make sure the incinerator was not set in manual
without an operator causing black smoke to spew. Now it's time to go
fishin'.
smoke school
stories and family stories
Keep 'em coming.
Thanks,
Les Adkins
Ceredo Generating Station
304-528-7192
Dear Larry
the Cable Guy
I read
your e-mail and I like your stories.
Still
waiting for your school to come down to
Texas.
Anthony L. Sauceda
Group Leader
Material
Flammability Section
Fire Technology
Department
Southwest Research Institute
San Antonio, Texas USA
office
210-522-3718
fax
210-522-3377
email
anthony.sauceda@swri.org
|
Dear
Whitlow Smoke School,
First off,
your crew did a great job yesterday here in Cranston. The
school instructors were professional, informative, and
funny. The class was good, the day was sunny, and the food
was great. Keep up the good work.
On another
note; please send me an invoice so I can get you paid. I did
not have a check the day of the school as I thought I would.
You can
mail it to the below address. Attention accounts
receivable.
Thank You!
Scott C Goodinson
Operations Supervisor / Safety Coordinator
VWNA / Cranston WPCF
140 Pettaconsett Ave
Cranston, RO 02920
Phone
(401) 467-7210 x 2012
Fax
(401) 781-5260
|
Your web site is very educational and full of a
lot of good STORIES and MUSIC!!!!
And I love the pictures with all of the funny
sayings over the top/bottom of them!!!
Thanks,
Randy
L. Coleman
Planters Cotton Oil Mill, Inc.
Production Office
Supervisor Trainee/
Administration
From: Lee Ann Roberts <lee_roberts@us.aflac.com>
Subject: Your website
To: smokeschool@yahoo.com
Date: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 1:03 PM
Hello, my name is Lee Ann and I just finished reading your website. I
am an Aflac agent in Lake Charles and I saw your sign on the side of the
road the other day and wanted to find out what smoke school was. I am
originally from Arizona, copper mine country, and have lived in
Louisiana for just over a year now. I had no idea what smoke school
was. After reading your website I know now what y'all do (kinda). I
will probably never have a need to go to smoke school and a lot of the
information was over my head but I couldn't stop reading. Your website
is fun. I think that's the best word to describe it. It's not stuffy
or conforming and I wanted to let you know that I enjoyed it. Being an
Aflac agent I am always looking for new companies and individuals to
talk to about our policies. You may or may not offer Aflac to your
employees. If you do - that's great. If you don't...well, I'm sure you
know where this is going! I would like the opportunity to talk to you
about !
!
our policies and how they could compliment any benefits package you may
already have in place. Our policies don't cost your business anything -
100% employee funded - and the value they can add is huge.
Again - great website! If I ever have the opportunity to talk to anyone
about smoke school - I will definetly tell them about your site. It
would be great if you let me know how you feel about Aflac. Kinda like
you - no pressure from here - I believe in Aflac and want to give
everyone the opportunity to know about it. Thanks for reading my email
and thanks for the great stories and information!
Lee Ann Roberts, Aflac
lee_roberts@us.aflac.com
337-244-8978
337-474-0984 (fax)
From: Tietje, Leslie <Leslie.Tietje@northstarbluescope.com>
Subject: RE: Delta, Ohio Private School - October 5, 2010 (C2)
To: "Whitlow Smoke School EPA" <smokeschool@yahoo.com>
Date: Sunday, April 11, 2010, 2:03 AM
Wendy,
Thank you for the smoke school this past week. As always it was a
good experience followed with great food. October 5th
should work out wonderfully for the next round for smoke school. If
there any problems or questions that may arise before then please
let me know. We look forward to working with you again.
Les Tietje
Safety Officer / RSO
North Star BlueScope Steel LLC
leslie.tietje@northstarbluescope.com
As you can see, not too many people have made comments. Sort a
reminds me of the old joke. Little Johnny was born and did not cry. The doctors
were amazed. Little Johnny made 10 years old and had never cried or uttered a
word. The doctors were amazed. They said he is physically able to talk, he just
don't talk. Well one fine day Johnny's momma was late for work. She did like my
momma used to to. She threw some buttered toast in the oven and forgot about it.
My momma used to scrape the black stuff off the toast and serve it. Best toast
ever is blackened toast. I was 40 years old before I learned you could make
toast any other way. That is the truth.
Well Little Johnny was not satisfied with the blackened toast.
He threw the toast on the floor and yelled, "Momma, You done burnt the heck out
of this toast."
His momma was amazed. "For 10 years, you have never uttered a
word."
"Up to now, everything has been fine."
My Bragging about the smoke schools.
My daddy used to say, "Don't brag too much." I have been
taught that all my life. Then I find out when you run a business that is
nationwide, it is just a little difficult to get the word out. People clear
across this great nation are seeing this web page and learning about about us.
Most of you have never met me. You really just don't know what to expect. My
momma used to say, "Life is just like a box of chocolates, You never know just
what you are going to get." It is kind a like the first time I purchased
something from the Sears and Roebuck Catalog. I would rather go down to the
corner store, pick it up, feel it, check it out and then buy it. Sort of like
kicking the tires on a new Chevrolet truck. That is just the way I am. The
absolute truth is we run circles around the other smoke schools out there. I
have been doing this 20 years. I could beat the others blindfolded with half my
brain tied behind my back. That's just a fact Jack.
Most of my life, I was either in the US Air Force or
working for the state of Louisiana. I did not hear very many supervisors tell me
that I was doing a good job. I guess the supervisors more or less took it for
granted that I knew I was doing a good job. I try to remember to tell my employees everyday,
that they did a good job. My supervisors did come close at Louisiana DEQ. I was
laying under a portable building that we were going to use for a new air
sampling ozone monitor site. I had finished removing the building from the
flatbed truck, and was leveling the building. I was about to run the electricity
and anchor the building. My boss lay down on the ground next to me and said, "I
don't know what we are going to do when you retire." Well, they hired four
people to take my place. I guess that is a compliment.
I have been doing this smoke school training now since 1984,
most of that time I was working for the Louisiana DEQ. Sometimes I trained
over 500 people at a time. Nearly all of them came up after the training shook
my hand, and said I did a great job or that they had fun. Boy let me tell you
what. That made my whole day. In fact smoke school generated about the only
praise I got as a state employee. My bosses always said they got lots of phone
calls from yawl that attended smoke school. Yawl told them that you love the
school. Thanks for the calls.
I put just as much heart into smoke school way back then as I do
now. Gave it a 110 percent effort. Still do. Looking back to my childhood,
I guess I was influenced by Dizzy Dean and Pee Wee Reese. I grew up watching the
Baseball Game of the Week, listening to Dizzy slaughter the King's English
telling stories about his life and about the players on the field. A few years
later, I was announcing play by play at the Monroe, Louisiana Little League
Baseball park. The great comedians, Justin Wilson and Jerry Clowers also
influenced my personality. My stories just seem to leak out at smoke school. The
stories seem to melt away the stress of taking the test.
Since starting this family owned and operated smoke school
business on guts and a few credit cards back in September 2001, we average about
30 people at each school. Most of these fine people keep coming back every six
months and they always say they had fun, they loved the stories, they learned a lot,
they loved the catfish,
and that we did a good job. That continues to make my day. I appreciate your
comments. Thank you very much. I guess I am just a natural. Maybe you love being
at smoke school simply because I love being with you.
Lindsay Moore, Chief Inspector of the Little Rock, Arkansas DEQ
asked me to take over the contract for training state employees and industry for
the Arkansas DEQ. After our first school, he said he got a ton of phone calls
all praising their department and our smoke schools. Before us, he said he got a
ton of complaints.
One particular person seemed to sum up all of the comments I
have heard about our training program. He just walked up beside me after the
school and
walked on down the trail with me. When he said what he said. well- I just had to
say thank you and walk away and cry in gratitude. He worked for a coal-fired
electrical power plant in the Ohio River Valley in West Virginia. This is what
he said.
" I have been attending smoke school since 1988. I dreaded it, I
hated it. Then I went to your school last year. I loved it. This year, when they
asked me if I wanted to go to smoke school, I asked them if Whitlow was going to
be there. When they said you were conducting the school for our association, I
said that I would not miss it. Butch, you have the best smoke school ever. I
love it. You are fair and honest. You don't try and trick us up. You make it interesting, you make it fun. I love the stories you tell
during the test. I love the fried catfish. You give good instructions, we know
exactly what to expect. You take your time during the test, you don't rush us.
It is easy to keep up. You do a wonderful job."
Well, that is what he said. And I am proud and grateful.
I
WANT YOU to come to smoke school.
The Whitlow team includes 5 retired Louisiana DEQ employees and other very
qualified team
members dedicated to routine maintenance, quality control, and customer service.
With over 100 years
combined experience in environmental protection and smoke school we are the
experts. We choose locations with your comfort in mind. Each location has a
convenient classroom, clean restrooms, a shelter form sun and rain, and a
contrasting background for reading smoke. We serve you free hot coffee, fresh
donuts, cold bottled water, sodas, and a great lunch at each location. We
desire to make you feel at home. We calibrate our equipment electronically and visually with the human
eye before, during, and after each smoke school. We check the zero drift before
and during each test run. If the zero is off, everything is off. We take our
time giving the test, so you can keep up. We give precise instructions on how to
take the test. If you pay close attention and bring a positive attitude, you
will pass sooner than later. If you are having difficulty understanding what to
do prior to the actual test, please ask for assistance. We are prepared to stay at each location until you
certify to become a smoke reader. Remember, patience and attitude are everything.
Be prepared. The first test run each day will take a little longer because we
take the time to teach you how to take the test. Additional test runs will be
quicker. Historically, most people pass by the third run because of our
exceptional teaching skills. If necessary, we will retest until dark.
We would love for you to try Whitlow Smoke School and see the difference. If you have previously registered for, and paid for
another upcoming smoke school by another provider, then send in a copy of your
receipt along with your registration and you can attend your first Whitlow Smoke
School free. What a deal!
We always provide hot coffee, fresh donuts, ice cold water,
soft drinks, and great tasting lunches at each location. If you prefer a certain
type of food please let us know before the school and we will try to accommodate
your tastes.
Initially, we will choose
smoke school dates compatible with previous smoke school providers. Eventually,
we will provide additional dates in the hope of milder weather.
Welcome to Whitlow
Smoke School and welcome to customer service. We are a Disabled Veteran owned
and family operated small
business and we are a member of the
Better Business Bureau.
Please pass all of this information to your employees. Thanks for coming.
Lets go Pilgrim,
we are burning up daylight.
Uncle
G Artie Whitlow
My Novel A Smoke School Prize worth keeping.
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