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Author Topic: I'm hanging it up!!! John Eickhof Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 588 From: Wendell, ID USA Registered: Jan 2000 posted 11-14-2003 10:40 PM                        After 29 years of roving around servicing theatres and other commercial sound equipment, I am quitting December 31st. I have finally gotten burned out with all the BS of doing business! Unfortunately for the small operators like myself, it has become to cost intensive to continue. It seems like every step forward is cancelled by two steps back! The small town theatres just can't afford the cost of this service anymore. And the larger companies are selling at extremely low profit margins or even direct sales from the manufacturers! I have placed my entire inventory of equipment, NOS parts and supplies up for grabs to some local competitors. I have decided to change vocations entirely! (I will be starting a new job in the spring...not related to the theatre industry at all) It will be nice to be able to come home every night and see my wife and kids! No more 2-3 week trips away from home! However, for you old equipment guys, I will be keeping my collection of antique equipment plus the older parts! (Mainly because anyone in the business would not want them anyway) Plus, I am still working on setting up a museum somewhere in the northwest. I will be playing with the old equipment as a hobby only...I have already sold off my entire film collection so...I will still check in here and visit with the many friends I have made over the years, plus if your working on a 1920s or older machine, I will be around casually to help! If no dealers take my offer of my inventory, I will place items for sale on the open market. I want to get my warehouses cleaned out by the end of the year. For my existing customers, I will still be making my last round of service calls during the next few weeks  |  IP: Logged Erick Akers Arse Kicker Posts: 201 From: Dallas, TX, USA Registered: May 2001 posted 11-15-2003 01:49 AM                     Hi John, Sorry to see you go; but if you don't enjoy it anymore, it's time to move forward... But I'm happy for you and I both completely understand as well as appreciate your decision. I've been there before, and will probably be there again. Take Care!!! Erick  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 11-15-2003 10:14 AM                     Hi John, Really sorry to see you go after all these years, we've known each other a really long time, before I even started in this buisness...probably 20 plus years. I did the burnout thing fomr running my own theatre supply before I moved out here to the slower life. On my days off I usually go up in the mountains and chase the coons . What occupation are you going after? I know you are also a mason but thats really heavy duty work that'll take its toll on your body! Please keep in touch from time to time, and are you letting go of your machinery? I would definately show up for that stuff! Mark  |  IP: Logged John Eickhof Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 588 From: Wendell, ID USA Registered: Jan 2000 posted 11-15-2003 10:21 AM                        Thanks guys...Mark, I am going to work for a local LTL truck line..Montana Express doing twice weekly trips to either Sacramento or Butte, MT. With wednesdays and weekends off! You know how hard it is to get off the road! I did email Dennis a partial inventory.. I am going to keep the machine shop and my hand tools...I am still dabbling in rebuilding old trucks.. It's just become too much like work and no fun anymore!! Keep in touch!  |  IP: Logged Robert E. Allen Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1078 From: Checotah, Oklahoma Registered: Jul 2002 posted 11-15-2003 01:27 PM                     Although we've talked only briefly John I know you will be missed. I referred Kevin Roudebush to you. He's opening a house in Salem and is looking for some installation help. Have you been in touch with him? Best of luck.  |  IP: Logged Paul G. Thompson The Weenie Man Posts: 4718 From: Mount Vernon WA USA Registered: Nov 2000 posted 11-16-2003 12:13 AM                     John, I am about ready to follow the same path. It will be soon. The industry has been fun for me, for the most part. But it is getting harder and harder for me to maintain an 8 hour shift without being totally exhausted. It reminds me of some of the lyrics by Niel Young in the song, "Southern Pacific" "And the tunnel comes And the tunnel goes Round another bend The giant drivers roll. I rode the Highball I fired the Daylight When I turned sixty-five I couldn't see right. It was Mr. Jones, We've got to let you go It's company policy You've got a pension though. Roll on, Southern Pacific On your silver rails On your silver rails Roll on, Southern Pacific On your silver rails Through the moonlight. I put in my time I put in my time Now I'm left to roll Down the long decline."  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 11-16-2003 04:03 PM                     Paul, Just quit smoking and you'll feel far better in less than 6 months! That way you'd be good for another 20 years at least . Mark  |  IP: Logged Dave Williams Wet nipple scene Posts: 1836 From: Salt Lake City, UT, USA Registered: Jan 2000 posted 11-16-2003 04:33 PM                        Do like I did. I gave up the theater biz and started driving a taxi. Now movies are much more fun. Dave  |  IP: Logged Phil Hill I love my cootie bug Posts: 7595 From: Hollywood, CA USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 11-16-2003 04:36 PM                  John, while I've only met you a couple of times and done a limited amount of biz with you, I found you to be a very honest and good person. I'm sorry you are deciding to leave the biz, however, I totally understand and wish you good luck in your future endeavors. Mark: You are 100% correct! Paul! Get off your ass and quite that evil weed... NOW!!!! >>> Phil  |  IP: Logged Gordon McLeod Film God Posts: 9532 From: Toronto Ontario Canada Registered: Jun 99 posted 11-16-2003 08:42 PM                     Paul do like I do smoke a pipe and drink lots of wine and fine ales  |  IP: Logged Mark Gulbrandsen Resident Trollmaster Posts: 16657 From: Music City Registered: Jun 99 posted 11-16-2003 09:31 PM                     Paul, What Gord didn't mention is that the pipe of his has a really, really funny shape to it...and the wine he drinks is all made right in his own basement. Nipper lives down there too when things start a bubblin...... That Ale at the pub down the street from Gord is really good though!!! Mark @ CLACO  |  IP: Logged William Hooper Phenomenal Film Handler Posts: 1879 From: Mobile, AL USA Registered: Jun 99 posted 11-17-2003 01:04 AM                        John, best wishes for you!  |  IP: Logged Tim Reed Better Projection Pays Posts: 5246 From: Northampton, PA Registered: Sep 1999 posted 11-17-2003 01:48 PM                       quote: I am going to work for a local LTL truck line.. John, great minds think alike! I drive for US Xpress! I left the service business last year about this time. You gotta do something, though, I know that feeling. I'm having fun being a truck dweller, but I really would rather be working in the movie business (I'm still making the Screen Attractions trailers, so I'm not completely out). Good luck to you!  |  IP: Logged Sam Hunter Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 779 From: West Monroe, LA, USA Registered: Jan 2002 posted 11-17-2003 02:20 PM                     Well John, I hate to see you go but you gotta do what you gotta do and I wish you all the best. Keep in touch there buddy  |  IP: Logged Don Anderson Master Film Handler Posts: 312 From: West Bend, WI, USA Registered: Mar 2000 posted 11-17-2003 05:21 PM                     John, hopefully you can do a few side jobs and stay in the flow of the biz. Any job gets to be old when you do it day in and day out. I ran photo-labs for over 20 years. Got out, but still work in that industry about 20 hours a week, mainly staying on for tech work and such. Its in my blood, at least I think that is what is in it! I'm tiring of managing a theatre, and would rather learn the technical side of the industry. I currently manage a theatre and do most of their tech work, and of course...use my carpenter skills to boot. I only wish that someone in Wisconsin would take me on as a service trainee. I'd jump at it in a heartbeat.  |  IP: Logged

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