The job itself I actually like. There are nice perks like being able to read or watch TV for hours on end and actually get paid for it. The hourly wage is damn good, almost twice what I was making at ye olde booze barn.
But the lack of anything resembling predictable hours and the amount of them I get per week is most definitely not an improvement. I can no longer plan anything more than a day ahead of time.
But isn't it much nicer not dealing with the public? Now you can think your own thoughts without interruption, not dress (or shave?) and nobody cares - right? Every job when working for someone else has a boss involved. Some are bad, some are so-so, some are good, and a damned few are excellent. And so it goes through life. Maybe one day you will have a chance to become a boss and use your experiences to advantage - - - -
From what I understand, much of the time ships are lined up waiting for pilots and to be assigned a time slot to dock - at busier ports, anyway. And where weather is a problem schedules are reset constantly. All part of the joys of sea shipping vs. land. Or, it could be the boss lacks enough vision and ability to plan very well, in addition to the former stuff.
Just be happy we aren't at war with an enemy with the capacity to inflict major delays, at a minimum, though that time might be closer than any of us would like.
Re: DOCK WORKlongbottleDecember 3 2011, 06:56:18 UTC
Overall, the work itself is pretty cake. I get to sit and read, watch TV, or fuck around online for the majority of the shift and get paid well for it. That's awesome.
Actually, my co-workers (including a 25yr veteran of the industry) seem to be just as fed up with the boss' poor handling of the situations as I am.
I understand the ship's schedules change, and that's not what pisses me off. It's when the boss fails to have a contingency for the inevitable changes that make MY life more difficult. That's why he's paid to be the boss after all, right?
Even if we were, it wouldn't affect this particular field. This traffic is entirely domestic, coming from refineries in LA and TX straight across the Gulf to Florida.
OK, I get it. You have the answer, it would seem - or at least a consensus of two underlings.
Some time if you have the time and inclination, could you advise whether steps are takes to prevent static electricity discharges while transferring fuel? I'm just wondering, since that could make for a really big show.
Re: DOCK WORKlongbottleDecember 3 2011, 07:28:30 UTC
I know that it's the boss being kind of a fuckstick, I just don't know what any of us can do shy of bending over, grinning and bearing it. It isn't exactly a job seeker's market right now.
As far as electrical stuff, most of the tools are pneumatic for that reason (wrenches, pumps, etc). Where there is electricity there proprietary outlets that are "explosion proof" and "intrinsically safe".
As for static from clothing and random discharges like that... nothing. The vapors aren't thick enough in the air for something like that to ignite them.
Comments 5
(The comment has been removed)
But the lack of anything resembling predictable hours and the amount of them I get per week is most definitely not an improvement. I can no longer plan anything more than a day ahead of time.
Reply
But isn't it much nicer not dealing with the public? Now you can think your own thoughts without interruption, not dress (or shave?)
and nobody cares - right? Every job when working for someone else has a boss involved. Some are bad, some are so-so, some are good, and a damned few are excellent. And so it goes through life. Maybe one day you will have a chance to become a boss and use your experiences to advantage - - - -
From what I understand, much of the time ships are lined up waiting for pilots and to be assigned a time slot to dock - at busier ports, anyway. And where weather is a problem schedules are reset constantly. All part of the joys of sea shipping vs. land. Or, it could be the boss lacks enough vision and ability to plan very well, in addition to the former stuff.
Just be happy we aren't at war with an enemy with the capacity to inflict major delays, at a minimum, though that time might be closer than any of us would like.
Reply
Actually, my co-workers (including a 25yr veteran of the industry) seem to be just as fed up with the boss' poor handling of the situations as I am.
I understand the ship's schedules change, and that's not what pisses me off. It's when the boss fails to have a contingency for the inevitable changes that make MY life more difficult. That's why he's paid to be the boss after all, right?
Even if we were, it wouldn't affect this particular field. This traffic is entirely domestic, coming from refineries in LA and TX straight across the Gulf to Florida.
Reply
OK, I get it. You have the answer, it would seem - or at least a consensus of two underlings.
Some time if you have the time and inclination, could you advise whether steps are takes to prevent static electricity discharges while transferring fuel? I'm just wondering, since that could make for a really big show.
Hang in there...
Reply
As far as electrical stuff, most of the tools are pneumatic for that reason (wrenches, pumps, etc). Where there is electricity there proprietary outlets that are "explosion proof" and "intrinsically safe".
As for static from clothing and random discharges like that... nothing. The vapors aren't thick enough in the air for something like that to ignite them.
Reply
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