This was his take on it.
He encouraged me to apply, and I did. He said they'd be very interested in training me, which they did.
I started out as a marine outfitter. They paid me $14 an hour, and I got annual cost-of-living raise. They raised the pay once a year for everybody—I think it was 43¢ the first year. Then they asked if anybody wanted to be trained as a welder. I love collecting skills, so I always put up my hand when they ask those questions.
They took me over to welding, and I think at that point I was making $15.43 an hour. When my training was complete, I was scheduled—