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IAMA window cleaner for sky scrapers. AMA!
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Only_Posts_Facts2 karma
Work is never fun when there's a lot of wind. You will swa a bit and that's not the best feeling at 60 stories up. But my biggest oh shit moment was when my co-worker on the stage beside me's stage malfunctioned. We work with motorized scaffolds and it malfunctioned. The cables on the left side let loose and dropped 45 degrees. Watching it, I thought my buddy was about to die. Luckily nothing like that has happened to me.
aussie_muppet171 karma
Do you ever scare the shit out of people in offices(etc.)?/Have you ever pulled pranks on people in offices(etc.)?
Only_Posts_Facts579 karma
No, my boss is really adamant about not messing with people working. But every halloween I dress up like spiderman.
Only_Posts_Facts170 karma
It's good fun! I wish I could do it everyday. It really lightens up the office workers day.
Only_Posts_Facts148 karma
Na I already know the answer lol. Plus it's not the most comfortable thing to wear for 8 hours.
Only_Posts_Facts258 karma
I get 33k a year. I know it's not a lot, but I earn enough to live comfortably and I enjoy my job! Not many jobs beat the view I have.
Only_Posts_Facts194 karma
Not very. I wouldn't call him a friend, but a man I met a couple of times broke a few bones and is now paralyzed from a 4 story fall he took. He didn't clip in his safety restraints properly and fell while reaching too far. What happened to him is exactly why I double check my safety equipment every time I go up.
galaktos88 karma
Do you look into the offices or do you just focus on the window?
If you look into the offices, what stories do you have? Anything weird / funny?
Only_Posts_Facts217 karma
The main building I clean has very tinted/reflective windows, so I can barely see anything. But one of the other two buildings I'm occasionally at I once saw a guy with a suit top but no pants on. Luckily he was wearing underwear. As soon as he saw me he ran to another room. I really hope there were other people in the room he ran into, and to this day I have no idea what he was doing. Most likely a mid-day jerk session.
InsanitySheWolf38 karma
Has the weather ever quickly taken a turn for the worse while you were cleaning?
Only_Posts_Facts2 karma
Quite often. If the forecast calls for high wind or rain, we usually won't go up that day. But often a big gust of wind will hit us while we're 60 stories up, and that is a very sketchy feeling. Quite the adrenaline rush though.
Only_Posts_Facts2 karma
It's a burden. Funny thing is I had a slight fear of heights when I started, but needed a job and overcame it. Now I love heights.
humbucker_2310 karma
As a person who gets terrified when there is a chance I could fall to my death...what safety precautions are taken to make sure this doesn't happen?
Only_Posts_Facts2 karma
We're latched in with our harnesses, and the scaffolds we're on are very sturdy and safe.
rkarwecki779 karma
Do you constantly listen to this song while you work? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfmAeijj5cM
Only_Posts_Facts2 karma
We're required to listen to that song twice a day, or else we don't get paid.
Only_Posts_Facts2 karma
At least 100 towels lol. I blame the wind for most of those, and not tucking it far enough into my bag.
Phyco1264 karma
What is the tallest building you have cleaned? What is the average height?
Only_Posts_Facts2 karma
I wash all different size buildings. Tallest was the Park Tower in Chicago at 68 stories I think it is.
Only_Posts_Facts2 karma
Dude wasn't wearing pants in his office. When he saw me he freaked and ran into another room. I lost it.
Iamthediscofish2 karma
Thanks for the AMA, always wanted to ask someone in your line of work some questions.
How would someone get a job like yours?
Did you want to do this when you were a kid?
Are there any hidden downsides to your job?
Only_Posts_Facts2 karma
These days, just check out websites for the companies and see if they're taking applications. Even if not, send an email/call and say you're interested.
Nope, never even considered it. I kind of fell into the job and I love it.
Being a foot away from windows all day and being on a 10 foot long stage kind of makes me claustrophobic sometimes. It also gets old seeing your reflection. Seeing that beautiful face gets old after awhile.
Laxnace221 karma
Have you ever had an "OH SHIT" moment ?
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