As the title says. I just landed what may be a good job (for me) that I start my field training tomorrow on. It’s a difficult job, so not sure if I will cut it or not, but really hope so as the pay is very good for my qualifications. It involves traffic control for utility companies.
I’m a little worried about things like finding parking, or being able to relieve myself in a timely fashion if I need to use the restroom. In researching this I read of many people who do this that walked of their jobs because no one would relieve them and they couldn’t hold it anymore.
There are many regulations regarding doing this. I took my written test for state certification last week in my class training. There are many rules, so many in fact one wouldn’t really know for sure until its actually done and one has the experience.
Some job assignments will be short, but others can last 12 hours or longer. On the shorter assignments, they indicated there is a likelihood one will be shifted to another site. This company does work in three states, so while they will try to keep one close (within an hour or so) to their home, it’s possible they can send one to jobs that require a lot of driving.
It’s funny in a way how I used to think of this job when I would drive past them as being a low effort job. It’s anything but, as one has to know all the laws and pay attention to so many variables. If the traffic control people were to leave the job, legally the job has to be shut down till more can come.
Video below having nothing to do with the post, but being used as a picture to break up the text. Plus, it's an awesome song. I saw them on this tour, Skid Row opened up for them. Skid Row also put on an awesome show. First and only time I ever saw an opening band allowed to do a super long encore. But that was due to Axl ALWAYS never being ready to come out in a timely fashion. Part of why the band all quit what was on its way to being the most successful band of all time.
One has to pay attention at all times to traffic flow, and those driving who aren’t paying attention or think they are to special to obey traffic laws. One must also always be aware not only of the traffic, but the actual workers themselves. Some traffic control people have been severely injured or killed by the actual workers driving their large trucks around who for whatever reason weren’t paying attention to their surroundings as well.
I learned about making an escape route for myself at every job, but obviously that route will only be as good as my attention is.
There are also dangers possible unique to the companies I will be contracted out to. For example, if its say the power company fixing a downed line, one must make sure not to go within a certain distance to the line or you will get electrocuted through the ground. And when working near a downed line, one does not pick their feet up to walk, you shuffle them on the ground until you are well out of the danger radius.
I even learned one never discusses what work is being performed with curious passerby. The example shared was at one job, a homeowner nearby came to a site where it was the gas company working. He said he smelled gas to the traffic control guy, and the guy told him that’s because they were working nearby on gas lines. The problem here is it turned out the guy actually had a gas leak that had nothing to do with the work being done there.
I could mention a lot of important little things, but you get the idea.
So, I don’t really know how this first week is going to go. I had to buy steel toe boots that I’m breaking in, and jobs can last up to about 12 hours, although they can be much shorter as well. Then there might be a decent drive to get home, so I don’t know if I will feel like curating (or writing) while I get my feel for this. Every day will be different, and some weeks I might be on call too.
Today, in preparation for worst case scenarios, I’m going to burn through my voting power so if I can’t get on, or am really tired I still am able to curate with those of you I appreciate. Hopefully I will grow a stamina and experience for this job within a couple weeks, as this job means a lot for me financially. Keep me in your prayers and thoughts. :)
Axel Rose was the cocky guy that one day made everyone tired, you are right they could have been the greatest band of all times, despite all the bad decisions they have many great classics, although for my personal tastes of their repertoire I have three songs that I enjoy the most Civil War, Yesterday and Stranged. Success in your new job, the first thing is to experience the change itself.
Yeah. I saw them on the Use Your Illusion Tour the song above was from (as well as the 3 you mention as favorites). That tour saw them being the highest grossing ticket seller in the world. I was beside myself that Axl's mental issues were so great (him being an asshole) that the rest of the band decided they would rather give up the money than spend another minute with him.
Slash of course did very well for himself, as in many ways he was part of the unique sound. He was invited by so many artists to be part of their projects and shows.
I was glad to see that they finally put their differences aside (meaning Axl grew up finally). I think it was beneficial for Axl that he was invited to be the front man for AC/DC on tour. It was no longer his songs (he wrote most of their songs), no longer him as the lead draw. He was now support, which he did amazingly well at. Unfortunately for many of his songs, he doesn't hit notes the way he did, although for ACDC his vocals were great. Here is one from his touring with ACDC in case you haven't seen any.
Love the song Estranged to by the way. The way it shifted so much reminded me a lot of Rocker Queen from their first album.
Thank you for the well wishes. I really hope the job works out as it will give me some breathing room on my bills and allow for me to explore a different avenue towards self employment as I gain excess cash flow.
Best of Luck with your new job!
Thank you. :)
Good luck, much fun and... Happy Easter... :-))
Thank you, and hope your Easter was one of warmth and family bonding. :-)
Good luck in your new job!
Made me smile tho - you'd hate it here - no apparent laws whatsoever... and even less "paying attention"!
Thank you.
While I do appreciate some of the structures laws seek to make routine, I do dislike many laws and their use to suppress and fleece. I can say some traffic laws make sense, others a clear infringement on ones personal choices. Folks here often don't pay attention, they are to busy pretending to be popular in their non stop communicating via their cell phones.