Not sure I want this promotion
- Thread starter Squatch
- Start date
OP
With plenty of first hand experience dealing with the one thing that you appear to be the most concerned with, Seattle traffic, personally it would not be worth the headache unless they are willing to adjust your hours so you could avoid rush hour...
It's not just the added time and stress of getting to work, you also have to factor in the added cost in fuel from the, oh so wonderful, stop and (jackrabbit) go from the time you get on the interstate until you exit. (More realistically from Lynwood to Seattle)
When I started working in Kent (commuting from Camano Island, 1.5 hour commute each way) I had to open the store at 7 so I always beat the traffic. I usually worked 11 hour days so by the time I got off work at 6 traffic had calmed back down. When the shop owner decided he wanted to cut my hours back to starting at 8 and getting off at 4, my commute went to 2.5 hours in the morning and any where from 3 to 4 hours in the evening. Job duties stayed the same but stress level went through the roof!!
That was one of the biggest driving factors in my decision to say adios to WA and move back to Idaho.
It's not just the added time and stress of getting to work, you also have to factor in the added cost in fuel from the, oh so wonderful, stop and (jackrabbit) go from the time you get on the interstate until you exit. (More realistically from Lynwood to Seattle)
When I started working in Kent (commuting from Camano Island, 1.5 hour commute each way) I had to open the store at 7 so I always beat the traffic. I usually worked 11 hour days so by the time I got off work at 6 traffic had calmed back down. When the shop owner decided he wanted to cut my hours back to starting at 8 and getting off at 4, my commute went to 2.5 hours in the morning and any where from 3 to 4 hours in the evening. Job duties stayed the same but stress level went through the roof!!
That was one of the biggest driving factors in my decision to say adios to WA and move back to Idaho.
OP
Well, you've nailed it when it comes to the commute issues, including the areas of greatest congestion. If I was looking at anything close to those extremes in traffic, it would be a hard "No" to even considering the position. However, if they're willing to work with me on the hours, then there's some potential to me accepting the offer. It will definitely be a main point of discussion when I sit down with the plant manager, again.
OP
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Mike. In general, I'm a happy guy ('cept when it comes to politics
). I know that I'll make the best of whatever direction this goes. I just want to make the decision armed with as much information as I can.
The hardest thing to factor into my commute was Boeing, Getting through Everett was a shooting match so I always left a half an hour earlier than I needed to which put me just ahead of Boing and substantially ahead of Seattle traffic. If I got caught in Boing Traffic 9 times out of 10 it put me in the middle of Seattle traffic too. It's funny how 15 minutes can make the difference between a 1.5 and 2.5 hour commute.
I'm not sure where in Everett you live but if Boing traffic is going to be a factor... Leave earlier than they do...
God and I thought I had it bad when I had a hour commute. I’d have died or went to prison to sit in 3-4 hours of traffic!
OP
I just want to take a moment and thank you guys for taking the time in offering some words of wisdom. I know this is a Jeep forum, but sometimes there are things that just take priority over other things. You all taking the time to share your thoughts on a subject that actually has no affect on you, but could have serious consequences for me, well...I appreciate it. Seriously. Thanks, guys.
Anytime and always brother.
I have a guy on here that offered to meet up with me to show me around his area and gave advice on things like that.
Another that led me to a deal on a truck and trailer. Yep be given some parts away for free and I have some more too. It’s nice to have a good forum to reach out to.
I have a guy on here that offered to meet up with me to show me around his area and gave advice on things like that.
Another that led me to a deal on a truck and trailer. Yep be given some parts away for free and I have some more too. It’s nice to have a good forum to reach out to.
OP
Bingo! That fifteen minutes difference can make ALL the difference in the world! And yeah, I live just north of the Hwy 2 trestle, so Boeing is an issue at certain times. Fortunately, I've always been able to dodge that bullet.The hardest thing to factor into my commute was Boeing, Getting through Everett was a shooting match so I always left a half an hour earlier than I needed to which put me just ahead of Boing and substantially ahead of Seattle traffic. If I got caught in Boing Traffic 9 times out of 10 it put me in the middle of Seattle traffic too. It's funny how 15 minutes can make the difference between a 1.5 and 2.5 hour commute.
I'm not sure where in Everett you live but if Boing traffic is going to be a factor... Leave earlier than they do...
Ahhh North Everett.. Know it well!!Bingo! That fifteen minutes difference can make ALL the difference in the world! And yeah, I live just north of the Hwy 2 trestle, so Boeing is an issue at certain times. Fortunately, I've always been able to dodge that bullet.
Which ever way you decide to go, just remember tranquility and fresh air await your retirement.
I
I didn't take his post that way. I absolutely want to make the most I can within reason (not gonna go to Azerbaijan as a contractor and not see my family), and I'll take a challenging opportunity and every chance I get to learn something new because it makes me more valuable, and that approach has paid off as I described in an earlier post. But I don't think of the extra money as funding some extravagant lifestyle, I think of it as security and a more comfortable retirement. None of our friends make what I do but they all spent at or near the same on their houses and drive newer cars. But I bet they're not putting 15% of their paycheck into retirement...I know plenty of people who think like you do, and that's fine. My kid brother is one. He makes three times my annual salary, owns 20 acres in Colorado, had a hunting lodge built that is over double the size of the home I live in, and he's still not satisfied, or even happy, to be honest. He buys high-end vehicles every couple of years, and then complains that he's always broke. I'm sure I could live pretty well on his version of "broke", but whatever. We're all different, my friend. Just remember, the world needs its ditch-diggers, too.
OP
I may have misinterpreted his meaning. Whether I did or did not, I surely meant no disrespect to his viewpoint. As I see it, there are many different approaches to one's choices in life, and I admire those who know exactly what their goals are, and the way that's best suited to them to obtain those goals. Even in the case of my brother. While I don't see it his way, I'm sure he feels similarly about my own decisions in life. I also don't believe he would do it any differently, even if given the chance. He's driven, I'll give him that!
First..... How did you pull this off?.... last we heard you were on your way out over a pumpkin
Second... and to the point. Your highlighted sentence above tells me that you know what it will bring. Don't trade the money for a position that will detract from the well being you've had for 37 years. If the money is not "needed" then I'd say the stress of a leadership position isn't worth it.
I speak from some familiarity on this. Long ago I was in a 18 person architectural firm in Spokane and was "given" a chance to buy into it and make some more money etc. That began a long road away from what I got into the profession to do. Sure I made some money but the passion I had for the craft slowly began to disappear and was replaced with stress, frustration and all of the unhealthy things that come with it.
Long story short.... I sold the firm, moved to Phoenix and took a position that got me back into the actual "work" again. At a "skosh" over 57 I'm as happy professionally as I've been in 25 years.
That's my take based on what you've written.
My goal is to never work again, I retired in 2000 when I was 40. I no longer have to deal with the general public, I don't miss it one bit. I hope you get to retire, and enjoy life even more.
Congrats on that.... Not sure I could do that. My father died at 96 and retired at 66... he told me that if I only listened to one piece of advice he gave me it should be to never retire too early.
OP
Thank you for that, my friend. It gives me pause for thought...First..... How did you pull this off?.... last we heard you were on your way out over a pumpkin
Second... and to the point. Your highlighted sentence above tells me that you know what it will bring. Don't trade the money for a position that will detract from the well being you've had for 37 years. If the money is not "needed" then I'd say the stress of a leadership position isn't worth it.
I speak from some familiarity on this. Long ago I was in a 18 person architectural firm in Spokane and was "given" a chance to buy into it and make some more money etc. That began a long road away from what I got into the profession to do. Sure I made some money but the passion I had for the craft slowly began to disappear and was replaced with stress, frustration and all of the unhealthy things that come with it.
Long story short.... I sold the firm, moved to Phoenix and took a position that got me back into the actual "work" again. At a "skosh" over 57 I'm as happy professionally as I've been in 25 years.
That's my take based on what you've written.
Oh, and I had to laugh at this one...
"First..... How did you pull this off?.... last we heard you were on your way out over a pumpkin"
OP
I've used that line for years and years, never knowing where it originated. That's a hoot!
My dad is retiring at 69 at Jan. 1st.
He regretted not going earlier.
I hope to be done by 50-55. But I have income and hobbies.
I think the ones with low to basic income struggle. I’d hate to look out a window all day waiting to die.
He regretted not going earlier.
I hope to be done by 50-55. But I have income and hobbies.
I think the ones with low to basic income struggle. I’d hate to look out a window all day waiting to die.