I just got word a few hours ago that I got a new job.

[Tobin S.]

Thank you, PasadenaTrudy, for thinking of me in the other thread.

It's union labor. The job starts out at $3 an hour higher than what I'm currently making. That's $120 a week more just on straight time let alone overtime. It may not sound like a lot if you are from the east or west coasts, but it's a good chunk here in the Midwest. The insurance is better and it costs about the same as my current insurance. It will cover both me and my wife.

I've been a trucker for over 19 years. I still need my CDL for this job, but I won't be out on the road anymore. I'll just be moving trailers around on their property. I'll also be loading trailers and ensuring that they are set at the correct temperature. I'll never be further away than three miles from home. My wife really likes the sound of that after what has happened at my current employer. Two men have been killed there on the job in the last three weeks.

On an unrelated note, I had to file for bankruptcy last year. The trustee determined that I was too rich and laid claim to $1600 of the $1900 I had in my bank account. I've been paying on it since last November. I just paid it off after work today, so now I'm totally off the hook as far as the bankruptcy goes. What a relief.

[pinboy3niner]

1. Congratulations, Tobin!

[Tobin S.]

2. Thanks!

[hibbing]

3. Congratulations

The posts about your coworkers were frightening. Good luck to you in your new job.

Peace

[Tobin S.]

4. Thank you. It is a good deal for a workin' Joe.

And I'm not going to get crushed by anything doing the job.

[Downwinder]

5. Happy to hear it.

Good tings happen in April.

[Tobin S.]

6. Gracias.

[NV Whino]

7. Yay!

That is excellent news! 🍺 Have a brew on me.

[Tobin S.]

9. I'm going to have a few of them tomorrow night in celebration.

[elleng]

8. GREAT news, Tobin!

[Tobin S.]

10. Thanks, ellen.

[Callmecrazy]

12. Great news, Brother...

I don't post much, but I always read yours, so I've been keeping up with your job hunt.
Congratulations!

[Tobin S.]

13. Thank you. And thanks for reading my stuff.

I'm always impressed by people who say such things. There are a lot of people on here who read way more than they post.

[mnhtnbb]

11. I have been watching and watching The Lounge to see if you got the job...

Congratulations!

[Tobin S.]

14. Thank you. It took some time.

I had to do the interview first. Then they had to do a background check. Then I had to take a few personality tests, a math test, and a test about reading gauges and making adjustments. Then I had to do a physical abilities test that totally kicked my ass. The woman administering the test assured me that the job was not nearly as hard as the test. They just wanted to make sure I was fit enough to handle some strain. Then I had to do a drug test. They clipped some of my hair for it and looked back 90 days.

So it took a couple of weeks. I've never been vetted to that degree for a job.

[Lady Freedom Returns]

15. !

[Tobin S.]

16. Thank you! That's very pretty.

[rurallib]

17. Yahoooooooooo!

yip yip yip yahooooooooooooo

ooooeeee doggies!

Yahoooooooooo!

[angstlessk]

18. Dern two great things in one day...I ain't jealous, but....

Can I borrow your genie?

[Ron Obvious]

19. Congratulations, Tobin!

That's great news.

[Turn CO Blue]

20. Yay, happy for you and yours! nt

[redwitch]

21. Hooray you!!!

I have been scanning the lounge waiting to see this, so glad for you!

[GentryDixon]

22. Wonderful news Tobin.

You have worked very hard for this. Enjoy!

[Liberal Jesus Freak]

23. SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!

[postulater]

24. Good news! Congrats on the job.

[classykaren]

25. Congratulations nothing like a good Union job wish everyone had them.

[redstatebluegirl]

26. Wonderful! So happy for you!

Someone told me yesterday they just landed a new union job, makes me smile that they are still out there with good pay and benefits. I thought they were all gone!

[annabanana]

27. Things are looking up!

I'm so happy for you. It sounds ideal.

[ms liberty]

28. Great news! 3 bucks an hour raise is pretty good

If you ask me - I'd take it! And close to home is a real bonus.

[femmocrat]

29. What great news!

Good things come to those who wait! LOL

Congratulations, Tobin. I'm very happy for you and Jen.

[Nac Mac Feegle]

30. Live better. Work Union.

Congratulations!!!!!!!

The wheel is finally turning for you. Enjoy the peace of mind, you deserve it.

[Adrahil]

31. Congratulations!!!!

Sounds like a great job opportunity!

[LNM]

32. Congratulation, Tobin!

It looks like things are looking up for you.

[47of74]

33. Congrats!

[Duval]

34. Great news, Tobin.

[oldandhappy]

35. Congratulations!!

Really happy things are better for you. Yippee!!

[ohnoyoudidnt]

36. Congrats!

[Nay]

37. So happy that things are turning around for you! Woo hoo!

[GeoWilliam750]

38. Excellent

May your new employment be a boon to you, your new co-workers, and your new employer.

[brewens]

39. Good going! After years of harder physical labor, I finally landed the best job I've ever had. Not

a month too soon either!

I was always a route delivery or construction driver, that kind of thing before. A couple other gigs but I've only had four full-time jobs in 36 years. I'm on year nine at the blood center I work for now.

It's now kind of a possibility that I will qualify for disability before I reach retirement age but I might make it. All that hard physical labor has taken it's toll. I'm also one that has really only called in sick a total of 12 times my entire life. Plus a couple of knee problems that required surgery and were several weeks worth. Other than that, you could put me on a schedule and forget about it.

I'm actually off for a few weeks now after having my knee scoped again. I also just reached the point to where I'm maxed out on vacation time. I did that by being stingy with my PTO but it didn't hurt that I really like my job. So now once I'm back, I'll actually have to start taking my whole five weeks a year that I've worked up to. That will be the first time in my entire life I have ever had that kind of vacation time to enjoy! But when I do quit, I get that nice chunk of pay for all those banked hours of PTO! I'm just under 40 large a year but I feel pretty lucky. That's what kills me about the 1%.

I'm a Bernie supporter but I'm not looking for "free stuff". I'll feel really lucky to get to retire and have maybe 20 years to drink beer and fish within 100 miles of where I grew up. If I could know that was 100% in the bag, I'd be genuinely happy and it'd be time for a big party! Right now, it looks pretty good but I'm still just hoping it comes through.

The bastards at the top though would cut me back and try and steal that from me. Literally work me to death for what would only amount to a years worth of yacht gas to them! Backing Bernie is really rolling the dice in a lot of ways, but I feel like I can't afford not to.

[GreydeeThos]

40. +1

[irisblue]

41. Yes!! I am so happy for you.

[denbot]

42. Congrats Tobin

Good to hear.

[Boomerproud]

43. You are so deserving of good fortune, Tobin. Best of luck in everything!

n/t

[MissB]

44. Yay!

Sounds like the lean years are heading down the road. Congrats on your new job!

[awoke_in_2003]

45. "It's union labor"

Woo hoo. Congrats on the new job, and from being out from under the bankruptcy. I have been living hand to mouth for too long myself, because I chose a 15 year mortgage over a 30. I have 9 more payments and it's mine.

[riderinthestorm]

46. Yay! Been checking in to see if there's an update. Congratulations! nt

[Laffy Kat]

47. Yay! So happy for you.

Isn't that a great telephone call when they let you know! I've been working my first union job ever for a year-and-a-half and I love it.

[bigwillq]

48. Congrats!

[Worried senior]

49. So glad to finally

hear the good news. I have been thinking about you and the new job.

I'm sure the extra $120./wk will be much appreciated and now that you've got the other bill off your back things can move forward.

We've been in your boots so know what it's all about.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

50. Very happy for your success! But

sorry you got screwed by our corporate-favoring bankruptcy law. Here's hoping unions start getting stronger and we find economic justice someday. Union people rock!!

[A HERETIC I AM]

51. A Yard Jock?

That's it? A Mule driver? A shuttle-me-trailer type? Driving a vehicle that has changed little in 60 years?





Good.

Unless they give you one of these to spot trailers with...then I'd file a grievance!





Good onya. Being home every night has a real nice ring to it.

Congratulations.

Now, just remember on a wheelbase that short, tiny....and I mean TINY inputs on the steers make a big difference.

Have fun!

[Tobin S.]

59. I might be a little rusty.

I've been driving one of these for the past five years. It's called a lugger truck.

[A HERETIC I AM]

60. Ahhhh! A one stack Mack wif a winda' in da back!

Nice.

[lunatica]

52. You certainly earned your new job!!

It's been an amazing trek for you and you chose to change your life and educated yourself and stuck with it out of sheer will power with hope and determination even in those times you hit rock bottom.

Your story is inspiring and a great example of just believing in yourself no matter what obstacles come along.

I'm proud of you Tobin.

[Liberal_in_LA]

53. Wonderful

[Generic Brad]

54. Very happy for you!

You deserve this. I know you have been working for something better for a quite a while and I am glad to see this work out for you!

[Jack Rabbit]

55. Congratulations

[LoisB]

56. Congratulations!

[jmowreader]

57. Yard dog at a food DC? Excellent!

[jtuck004]

58. Very glad for you! n/t