I had a terrible week at work

[Droopy]

As most of you probably know by now, I'm a trucker. Monday they were late getting us loaded which made for a 13 hour day. Tuesday we had a snow storm which made for a 14 hour day. Thursday my truck broke down which made for a 14 hour day. I used to delude myself when such things happened to me by saying that I'm tough as nails, I can take it. But when those things happen to me I start fantasizing about taking a job where I only have to drive a few miles to and from work. Yes, a nice cozy office job would do the trick. Or maybe a furniture repair guy. They have to drive around town a little bit, but it ain't nothing like putting in 470 miles a day. The last time I bought furniture I found a couple of things wrong with the stuff after delivery and they sent a furniture repair guy out to fix it. I wonder how much that pays? As I watched the guy work I found myself getting jealous.

[lost-in-nj]

1. Sorry your week sucked....

hope the next one will be better....


:hug:

lost

[TZ]

2. Will this make you feel a little better?

I'm STILL a temp (even though I was told 2nd week in November they are in the process of converting me) and therefore no PAID leave but after the snow on Wednesday my car battery light went on and I had to miss two days of work and spend $400 gettting it fixed (and I still may have something else wrong). Plus I am paying out the nose for COBRA coverage but never got my new Health insurance card, so right now, despite paying money I can't go to the doc until I get my new card/ID...And yeah, I have a nice COZY office job...

[Droopy]

3. I was a temp for 7 1/2 months before being hired on at my current job

So I feel you. I had insurance, but it was lousy. Only covered $50 a month on prescriptions and my stuff costs $400 a month. I'm telling you, health care should be a right! I also had to put $500 into my car last week. New shocks and other suspension parts. The good part about that was that I rented a little Chevy Aveo hatchback to get me back and forth to work while they were working on my vehicle. I've been wanting to check out a car like that because I'm thinking of buying one for fuel mileage reasons when my car wears out. So I got to test drive one and I liked it. Now if I can get one in black with a manual transmission I'll be all set.

[BarenakedLady]

4. I'm sorry

I hope this week is better.

:hug:

[Haole Girl]

5. Sorry, Droopy

Now I feel really badly about getting so defensive w/you earlier today.

Hope it gets better soon. My grandfather was a long-haul truck driver. I'm sure you are tough... tougher than you give yourself credit for. :hug:

[Droopy]

6. It's alright, KC2. Simple misunderstanding, that's all.

[Gormy Cuss]

7. Bad weeks are, well, bad.

It's natural to start thinking about a job or career change when that happens. When you find yourself thinking about it during a good work week, it's time for a change.

I hope next week is a better work week for you.

[rockymountaindem]

8. Could you become an instructor at a truck driving school?

Maybe that would work out.

[Droopy]

9. I don't really want to quit my job

It's actually pretty cool most of the time. But when things go wrong they tend to be big problems that cost me a lot of time. And when they gang up on you all in one week it will make you wish you were driving a desk.

But in regard to being an instructor, that's really not my cup of tea. I was a trainer for a company that I used to work for and it was a very stressful job even though the pay was excellent. To give you an idea of how much I disliked that job I took a $400 a week pay cut and worked as a temp for 7.5 months to come to my current employer.

[rockymountaindem]

15. I understand. My uncle is a truck driver and he used to have problems like this a lot

The past few years though he's been driving a set route that doesn't take all that long and evidently doesn't put too much wear on the truck because I can't remember the last time he got stuck due to a breakdown. The only problem I think he's got now is the occasional snowstorm in N. California. Hopefully problems with your truck will stay at a minimum in the future. Good luck!

[Darth_Kitten]

10. Sorry about your week, but.......office jobs aren't necessarily "cozy"...

every job has it's downside.

[Droopy]

14. They look cozy when you're slinging freight and it's 15 degrees

But I'm sure you are right. I don't know how well I'd fit in at a office. I would definitely have a wardrobe malfunction. I don't even know how to tie a neck tie. :)

[Darth_Kitten]

16. Those long hours you are working are crappy............

:(

[Crazy Dave]

11. OTR has got to be better than driving in town

I knew one poor guy who delivered mail and got paid by the mile. He only had local runs and sometimes he waited up to four hours to load or unload or stuck in city traffic all day.

Needless to say his paychecks were less than $200 a week.

[Ellen Forradalom]

12. oh, MAN.

Have a hug, fella, and some hot chocolate.

I'm wondering if you mightn't go stir crazy as a cubicle jockey. Don't get a lot of movement or exercise that way.

[SPKrazy]

13. trucking is a job

that i don't envy you for at all...

hard work

hang in there

maybe there are other options for you

:pals:

[Writer]

17. Hugs, Droopy.

'Tis only one week of many.

:hug:

~Writer~

[otherlander]

18. I hope next week goes better for you.

But you're a TRUCKER! You have escaped the world of motivational posters, water-cooler stories, and casual Fridays. Never give that up! NEVER SURRENDER!
:patriot: