I got a new job!!!

History, 3 years ago when the economy got tight, I took on a second job at our local college in the automotive technologies department as an instructional assistant. 20 hours a week, 5 nights getting off anywhere between 10-midnight. Great job, good pay and bennies. In that time, the automotive industry has continued to go down hill. Been an auto tech for the last 25 years. In April, it had gotten to the point where I was at work for 40 hrs, but only turning 20 hrs a week as I work solely on commission/flat rate. Ppl are just not spending the money fixing/maintaining their cars like they used to.

I had applied to a couple places, but they want you to interview during typical work hours, that became a problem. And I passed on a couple interviews because of that. I decided to quit my shitty paying day time job to pursue other avenues w/o having to worry about repeatedly asking for time off or making excuses why I wasn't coming in. That didn't seem fair to my employer.

Fast forward, after applying a few places, trying to get out of automotive repair, I tested for a position w/ our Metro area transit system and passed the written. Then passed the mechanical aptitude test and then on the the back ground check then a medical test, passed those, today I went in to sign the papers to accept the position. This whole process has taken about 4 months. The good, great pay and benefits, steady paycheck, much better then I had made the last 3 years as an auto tech, the bad, I have to commute an hour one way (that's w/o traffic and bad weather) and get up at 4a.m. so I can be at work by 6. So some nights at best I'll only be getting 4 hrs of sleep. I'm sure this is going to cause a strain on my night time position at the college, but I'm gonna try and stick it out to try and recoupe some lost wages not having a full time day job since April.

So I am stoked to finally have a job w/ a future and steady paycheck, and the bells and whistles. Just have to get used to the longer hours. As far as the position, I'll be working on rail cars in the maintenance department.

Congratulations!

nothing give more futire than a good and durable job

For the driving-time: Moving?

Good for you B! Both Laura and I commute each way an hour+, she gets up at 3:30, I get up at 4:30, but like you say the pay makes it worthwhile. Plus you get to live in a nice house that's reasonable on the monthly budget.

And hats off sticking to the night job. I'm looking for the right second job myself...

congrats Bernie

Congrats!

Congrats, Bernie!

Congrats. I started my new job at the beginning of the month and it knocks the socks off my old one so I know the feeling of moving back up. It tooks me 3 1/2 months to get my old work visa cancelled and my new one issued so I know that 4 month waiting process you speak of too!

congrats bernie!!

congrats and welcome aboard B. I have a CDL book you can have if you dont already have one.

Congrats B, GL with the new job and hours

Bernie which shop are you going to work out of? i started at new carrollton

ranx93 wrote:Bernie which shop are you going to work out of? i started at new carrollton

Alexandria. I go to DC on the 12/13th for orientation, then to New Carrollton on the 14th for safety training then I start on the 15th in Va.

cool. well you never know you might get a transfer to a closer shop. good luck to you buddy

ranx93 wrote:cool. well you never know you might get a transfer to a closer shop. good luck to you buddy

Life just got a lil better. Just got a call from HR, they changed my location to (Greenbelt) the yard I was hoping to get in the first place. That means 30 more min of sleep and about half the commute!!! Yeah baby!


Thanks again everyone.

glad to hear it "B"^^^^^^