San Antonio

retmil46 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 12, 2009 1:51 pm

Well gents, with each passing day looks more and more likely my next job will be with a company that runs the Thermal Plant at the Univ of Texas at San Antonio. Come March 13th, the CRD will most likely get pointed southwest to a new permanent home.

I know Darby is down that way, and ATXKJ is up in Austin. Anyone else down in that area? If you get the chance, I'd appreciate any input from the "locals" that might make relocating easier, off-forum via PM or e-mail - ie, good neighborhoods to rent a place to live OR to flat-out avoid, etc.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:40 pm

Where in San Antonio is the 'plant' located? If it is at UTSA Main campus...anywhere around there is fine. You can also live in Helotes or Boerne and be pretty close to the main campus.

retmil46 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:47 pm

DarbyWalters wrote:

Where in San Antonio is the 'plant' located? If it is at UTSA Main campus...anywhere around there is fine. You can also live in Helotes or Boerne and be pretty close to the main campus.

Yep, it's on the main campus, just off of 1604, first exit past I-10 heading west (Fiesta Texas exit). Figure with the mileage I can get on the CRD or the MB, anything within a 50 mile radius would still keep me down to a tank of fuel per week for commuting.

And with 4 military bases in the area, and my retired military ID card, if they happen to carry #2 at any of the base gas stations, so much the better.

dog_party · **Posted:** Fri Feb 13, 2009 12:50 pm

Godspeed on your move retmil46.

retmil46 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 13, 2009 1:09 pm

dog_party wrote:

Godspeed on your move retmil46.

Thanks.

Looks to be permanent. Gents with Daimler over in Germany seem to have made up their mind that from now on Freightliner will be a "Made in Mexico" brand.

Couple days ago, the plant manager sent out an e-mail and made official company policy out of what we had suspected was going to happen for the last 4 years - from now on, any truck orders that come in will first be allocated to the new plant in Saltillo Mexico to fill it's production schedule, and only when they have orders in excess of that plant's capacity will any work be given to the Cleveland NC plant - the only remaining Class 8 plant north of the border.

And Daimler is in the process of browbeating the remaining suppliers that haven't done so already into moving thier operations to Mexico as well, preferably close to the Saltillo plant, to cut down on shipping costs.

One old-time supervisor that's always called correctly what was going on with the company and the market, expressed his opinion of the future of the Cleveland plant - he filed his papers and retired last week.

Looks like Daimler has done the same to Freightliner that they did to Chrysler.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 13, 2009 1:29 pm

Good luck on your move my friend!! I hate seeing stuff like this happen, always ends up lowering the quality of service/parts for the vehicles

if you see my ex in san antiono, hit her with your jeep

TWICE :evil:

ill pay for any damages to your vehicle and as much beer as you can drink at Cowboys

truckbouy2 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 13, 2009 2:04 pm

I'll chip in also....Maybe a couple of nice steaks to go with those cold refreshments.
But as usual...I guess we'll need impact pictures. Awwwww......You're an honest man....screw the pictures.... :wink:

retmil46 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 13, 2009 2:38 pm

Hmmmm...... got a photo ID of the intended target? :lol:

One other thing I just thought of - Texas laws regarding gun ownership? Got a few pieces I might consider bringing along, especially my favorite Winchester 16 gauge double barrel for dove hunting. Also might help to be ready when Texas decides it's had enough of the Feds and becomes a republic again. :wink:

truckbouy2 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 13, 2009 3:25 pm

Maybe pictures before & after ARE in order after that well positioned Hmmmmmm.....
Don't worry about the shootin' arrrrrrrrrrons... might not be too long before the New KGB comes lookin'.....
According to my friend, "The Fugitive", Texas already is a Republic...
So, on that note, pack your 'coon skin cap, buckskins, bowie knife, and best squirrel gun, you're not going to be far from the Alamo. :shock:

dog_party · **Posted:** Fri Feb 13, 2009 3:43 pm

retmil46 wrote:

Texas laws regarding gun ownership?

I think they pass them out at the border. Kinda like one o' them fancy eatin' places where they give you a loaner jacket if you don't have one when you come in.

Here's one site listing some Texas gun laws: http://www.texas-on-line.com/gun.html

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Fri Feb 13, 2009 5:35 pm

retmil46 wrote:

Texas laws regarding gun ownership?

They don't actually require you to own a gun - just recommended.

JeepinJarhead03 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 14, 2009 1:25 am

Heh, i got plenty of pics of my ex you fellas might like, however this is a family forum! no pix for you! Plus. I'm not about to get decked by anyones wife!!!!!

you'd have to check, but I do believe tx honors all states handgun permits, and no permits for rifles/shotguns there. i'm sure it's stated on the tx firearms website for specifics

I like floridas new handgun permit regs :shock:

That is the one thing I do not look forward to with moving to IL
they have the dumbest firearm regs, right up there with DC and cali

retmil46 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 14, 2009 12:14 pm

Just wanted to make sure I would be aiming at the correct target, not cause any collateral damage by hitting the wrong person. Probably a good idea to have my grille blockers on as well, keep all the body parts out of the radiator. :wink:

Besides, if I'm going to be working on the UTSA campus, should be plenty of available "scenery" to gaze at. :wink:

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Sat Feb 14, 2009 1:48 pm

retmil46 wrote:

Hmmmm...... got a photo ID of the intended target? :lol:

One other thing I just thought of - Texas laws regarding gun ownership? Got a few pieces I might consider bringing along, especially my favorite Winchester 16 gauge double barrel for dove hunting. Also might help to be ready when Texas decides it's had enough of the Feds and becomes a republic again. :wink:

Any laws Texas has on firearms are very reasonable compared to states like Illinois. For example, I have to have an FFL to have some of my post WWII part of my collection to comply with a local ordnance, but not be engaged in business to keep the zoning board happy.

To make it even better, there are a lot of good wholesalers in Texas with very cool stuff.

jinstall · **Posted:** Sat Feb 14, 2009 11:02 pm

I am hoping to move as well but farther west to Montana, I will find out next week. SA has alot of nice places.

retmil46 · **Posted:** Sun Feb 15, 2009 1:49 am

How about reliable sources of #2 around SA? By "reliable" I mean no water, no dirt, no bugs, doesn't clog up your fuel filters inside of two tanks, with decent mileage a secondary consideration.

I know from past experience north and east of Dallas Valero/Diamond Shamrock sold some good running fuel, but down where my friends live around the Kyle area it's so-so. Best I found in their area was from a HEB Superstore a couple miles up the road.

This last trip I followed Ranger1's advice and tried hitting Flying J/ConocoPhilips whenever possible. While it didn't give spectacular mileage, it seemed to be consistent across different parts of the country, and it met the above definition of "reliable".

Guess I should also ask about feline taxidermy - ie, just having the shell of the cat under the CRD and '87 MB, with no guts inside - in other words, how strict are they on emissions? Any oddities on vehicle registration?

My friend apparently has designs on my wrecked '87 MB - he acquired an 80's/90's Jeep GC with the old 4.0 L inline six, and wants to drop the 3.0 L inline six diesel and tranny from the wrecked '87 into the GC.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Sun Feb 15, 2009 8:58 am

I use Valero and HEB and add Shell (at a 20% biodiesel station). Never have had any problems. Flying J on the opposite side of town from UTSA and HEB have #2 for about 205.9/gallon right now.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sun Feb 15, 2009 9:12 am

Emissions are by city.
Austin just started last year - but Diesels are exempt(although no CEL allowed - have to be fixed)
so you'd have an annual inspection - but it's lights,wipers, brakes,tires.

Normally use Valero,Shell - never had a problem around town.
- sole bad tank of diesel was off I10 headed to El Paso - and it was a Exxon brand station - but their Diesel wasn't Exxon (they told me after I filled up)

thebigtman · **Posted:** Tue Mar 03, 2009 2:12 pm

I'm down here too. I'm usually rolling in my Rubi Unlimited b/c the wife has been driving more than me. We have a LOST sticker on the back window.

As far as housing...you have the pick of the litter. I used to live up in the Stone Oak area but it's too friggin' crowded there now. So, we moved out near La Vernia/Floresville area. My wife works downtown and it's a 30 minute commute for her and traffic is rarely an issue. When I lived up north it was like 20 miles to Fort Sam Houston and it would take me 45 minutes to get home at night. The entire northern band of SA is growing and the traffic is the biggest problem up there. If you need a reliable realtor, I have a retired AF officer friend, who grew up here and is a local realtor.

Lastly, pay attention to the property taxes at any property you look at. We almost bought a home that was under annexation by the city. This would have increased the taxes substantially.

Shoot me a PM if there's anything you need help with.

Take care,

Tim

San Antonio

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