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  1. #26
    FEP Super Member gr79's Avatar
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    Default Stepping stones

    Was 48 and took a month to get re-employed. Stuck to my guns to find a cool job and did. Higher pay too.
    One day taking a drive thinking and searching, came upon a notice on a warehouse glass door. Hilo driver needed.
    Oh boy. Peered inside to see something. Did not like the brand of forklifts they used. Toyota. Passed on that place.

    Few days later on the way to a temp interview, Drove by another warehouse. A new one built late 1990's.
    A white paper on the door caught my eye. Turned the car around to check it out.
    Said " Hilo driver position filled". Thought... dang someone got my job!.
    Entered anyway. Nothing to lose. Monica at the desk told me to sit and wait for interview. A backup hire? Oh boy.
    Rich D showed me the pile of unqualified applicants. Asked if i could do inventory and lead. YES. And automotive related.
    Was honest and explained not as a full time job but knew the drill and was a full time dept lead prior for 15 years.
    Also mentioned was not comfortable if ending someone else's job. I did but the party was ok with that.
    Attitude was to be an equal, not aloof nor intimidated. Turned out the right decision. My age helped confidence doing this.
    Was sent to get physical and was hired couple hours later.
    Still did not know what i would be doing, nor did not know what company did.
    But they had new Yale forklifts, building was new, clean, huge, quiet, everyone was friendly and seemed happy. And no PPE req.
    Found out company had GM plant across the street as main customer. GM pretty much ran the show.
    Was next level up from what i did 1980-1999. From pro to minor leagues back into pro. Perfect.
    Worked for Ford, Chrysler, now worked with, not for, GM. Am from a GM family.

    The paper on the door saying 'hilo position filled'....was a young girl.
    Company was growing and Jamie, hired the same day, was my co-worker. She officially had a couple hours seniority over me.
    Later that day, took a hilo test stacking engine racks. Never drove a sit down electric forklift. Did not know how to turn it on.
    No matter, a truck is a truck. Passed the test. Coolest management i ever worked for. Got the parts dept lead after 90 day trial.
    A dream come true. Stayed 12 years. Would have been more but GM closed the plant for long changeover from engines to transmissions.
    Mandatory callback time per union rules ran out, could have transferred to another loc with a pay cut. Passed. End of job.
    Building eventually got sold to Keystone Automotive.

    When i hired in, we had over 100 workers. When i got laid off, less than 20. Gained high seniority over the years.
    Since the company grew quickly and i came on in the early days, i was able to stay safely up the list.
    But not high enough to avoid mandatory overtime. Hated it, but now am so glad that happened.
    Knowing the auto business, knew it would not last forever. Layoffs were voluntary then, if needed, from bottom up.

    Was 60 and looking again. Brother in law said "you are too old to get another good paying job". Proved him wrong.
    He worked at my former employer (got me hired there). That company from the 50's finally vanished right around then.
    Some of the Ford fasteners we made there are on all Fox cars including mine.

    Back then it was direct hire and pensions. Now its pretty much online or word of mouth, connections are big too.
    Temp services really came thru while i was looking for the right place. Kept me busy, made new friends, added skills.
    They hooked me up to the last employer to date. Took a year to get hired in. Well worth it. Lots lost patience and quit.
    Last employer offered bonus for finding people. Was 70 hours, sometimes weird schedules. Now is 40 hours of course.
    Worked a bit past full retirement age there. One day 2017 decided had enough. They knew.
    Last edited by gr79; 04-17-2020 at 04:21 PM.

  2. #27
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    At this point I'm still working. I work for a staffing company that supports an automaker, and we've seen cutbacks already. On my support team, we've lost people so far due to reduced workloads. They've cut salaries for all full-time staff (me included), but I'm still making more than I would on unemployment. I feel fortunate and lucky every day that I don't get a call that I am being let go, laid off, need to look for another account to join because my position is being cut, etc.

    Outside of what my 9-5 job is, we have other income sources. We have two different YouTube channels that make a little something every month. While a ton of people are home with time to watch YouTube, ad revenue is down due to advertisers pulling their funding. My car channel is down 40% on revenue (while viewing is up 13%), but our small farm channel is doing stupidly well. It's only down 5% on revenue, yet up 45% on viewing. As advertisers start to come back, that should only pay forward and increase revenue. Meanwhile we're still doing the same things. Building cars and working the farm.

    I also do some writing on the side. I had lost one client at the end of last year, but thankfully another asked to double my work and it pays better per article. I currently have two still wanting submissions, and a 3rd has been shutdown as their students are working from home (it's a tech school for high school students). These haven't been affected as much since it's virtual and content doesn't go away like advertising. I could try to find more clients, but am doing more on the farm and in the garage instead.

    If I got the call that I was being let go, I'd go on unemployment if needed. My wife and I don't have a lot of debt. We own our house and property and we own all vehicles. We have one credit card we use to keep our credit score up, and we have a few more payments on our tractor. I am not too worried on the short term, but long-term I don't know what I would do for employment. I'm only 45. I'm from a manufacturing background (20 years of auto mfg), and there's little manufacturing of anything where I live. It would get interesting for sure. My wife and I have secondary and tertiary plans already decided on if we have to start making tough choices.

    I look at resumes most days as I work in recruiting and talent acquisition. If anyone needs any help with their resume, whether that's a quick look at it or some development, I'm here to help. I'd be happy to offer any advice I can. Just PM me directly, and I can give you a an email address to send your resume to.
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  3. #28

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    Quote Originally Posted by liv2roc View Post
    I've been laid off for 5 weeks. waiting for FORD to start building trucks again. We make their bearing and hubs.
    I work for u haul and we are also waiting for ford to start building trucks again lol
    79 Zephyr, 4.6L 4v/4r70w swap, with team z front and rear suspension, 8.8 and upgraded brakes and coil overs. Running Holley Terminator X Max.

  4. #29
    FEP Senior Member liv2roc's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by homer302 View Post
    Wait, you make those in Cherryville NC? That's pretty cool. I mean, obviously I feel your pain but I did not realize Ford had suppliers in NC. Sounds like you are maybe on a furlough. You are not getting paid but expected to be able to return (without any specific guarantee that ever happens). I would rather have that if it helps. I can get unemployment if I want to just like you can so I am not exactly sure the technical difference. I know I am not on furlough though. I did get severance pay so maybe that's it?
    Timken bearing plant in Iron Station we make all hubs assembles for all ford trucks. I do not work in that dept anymore I just make regular taper roller cups and cones now for ford large trucks and other heavy machinery. some of us has gone back with reduced hours but not all. I'm making more on unemployment than if I was working those hours.

  5. #30
    Venomous Moderator Hissing Cobra's Avatar
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    Luckily I'm still working and haven't skipped a beat. My wife works for our town hall in the Selectman's Office but they've cut her hours from Mon-Fri 8:00am-6:00pm (40 hours) to Tuesday's/Thursday's in the office from 8:00am-12:00am. The rest of the time she's at home working from out computer. As for me, I'm considered essential (we sell fertilizer to farmers nationwide to keep their crops growing) so I've been working my 40 hour weeks. Thus, we haven't missed any paychecks. With that being said, I hope and pray that those who are out of work are able to return asap.
    Pete Slaney

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  6. #31
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    Looks like I’m supposed to start going back in next week, we will see if it actually happens though

  7. #32

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    Quote Originally Posted by ClayBelt View Post
    Looks like I’m supposed to start going back in next week, we will see if it actually happens though
    Congrats! I hope it works out. No question they got it wrong for SURE. (like normal). The cure proved FAR worse than the disease. Can't be argued with. The financial damage is immeasurable.

  8. #33
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    Looks like I’m supposed to start going back in next week, we will see if it actually happens though

  9. #34

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    My state has a lot of cases, and like 2000 deaths we are in the top 3 in the USA. Governor says back to work on May 5th but I am skeptical
    79 Zephyr, 4.6L 4v/4r70w swap, with team z front and rear suspension, 8.8 and upgraded brakes and coil overs. Running Holley Terminator X Max.

  10. #35
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    I'd say that the most telling stat should be # of deaths per 100,000 residents. NY at over 100 and nearly double the second place state really should be hunkering down for a long haul. But anyone in single digits should really be letting people open up if they want to.

  11. #36
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    Well, it appears I get to test my theory I mentioned on April 17th. I got furloughed as of last night at 5pm. I had about 36 hours notice that it was coming. No fanfare, no boohooing. One of my managers called and read me the scripted paragraph about how Covid-19 has been affecting business. So as of this morning I still have benefits, which I am thankful for. I had a quick call with a co-worker to hand off my work, as she seems to be one of the few that are staying working on the account I was on. Everyone keeps saying they're hopeful we'll all be back to work soon. I'm pretty skeptical at this point that I'll be called back. I could do the work of three of my co-workers, but I also probably am one of the highest paid people in my position.

    I checked on unemployment, and I'll file that on Monday or Tuesday to get the process started. I have a week that I have to sit out, so this will at least get that out of the way. Yesterday afternoon and through last night I have been thinking about what is my next step. If I eventually get let go, do I finally go after that "when I have more free time" list of writing, composites I wanted to tinker with, etc.? It's a hard concept for me to wrap my mind around right now. I grew up thinking you get up every day and go to work for a large company. You work until you're 65, then retire. I'm 45 and I struggle to work for myself. Should I try it again? Maybe. Who knows.
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  12. #37
    FEP Super Member erratic50's Avatar
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    Sorry to hear this. Tough old world out there right now.

  13. #38

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    Fortunately my Employer and Client were both deemed essential, so I'm able to work full-time. However, my Employer has mandated no overtime.

    My wife has had her hours cut to about 15-20 a week. Fortunately we live cheap, 0 debt outside of a house payment and have a reasonable emergency fund.
    Jeremiah

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  14. #39

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    Quote Originally Posted by TNT View Post
    I'd say that the most telling stat should be # of deaths per 100,000 residents. NY at over 100 and nearly double the second place state really should be hunkering down for a long haul. But anyone in single digits should really be letting people open up if they want to.
    Too much fake news out there. John Hopkins Statistics on FACTS: (NOT CNN or FOX News either one). Why don't we have to shelter in place every winter?????

    COVID-19: There have been approximately 251,898 deaths reported worldwide. In the U.S, 68,934 people have died of COVID-19, as of May 5, 2020.*

    Flu: The World Health Organization estimates that 290,000 to 650,000 people die of flu-related causes every year worldwide.

    In the U.S., from Oct. 1, 2019 – Apr. 4, 2020, the CDC estimates that 24,000 to 62,000 people died from the flu. (The CDC does not know the exact number because the flu is not a reportable disease in most parts of the U.S.)
    Last edited by homer302; 05-05-2020 at 02:47 PM.

  15. #40
    FEP Senior Member dtmilsap's Avatar
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    1450 more people layoffed 5-1-20 from my work still have job, company taking 700 people to build ventilators.

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

  16. #41

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    Quote Originally Posted by dtmilsap View Post
    1450 more people layoffed 5-1-20 from my work still have job, company taking 700 people to build ventilators.

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
    I believe they are building N95 respirators, not ventilators but I don't work for your company so I could definitely be wrong.

  17. #42
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    I ended up going back last week, got told yesterday that the car lot is broke followed by my boss taking a nail to the eye while we were doing building repairs. No work today or tomorrow because of it, we will see when/if I do go back to finish out the last few weeks worth of to do’s before my boss can start liquidating the assets of the business (inventory, lift, building, etc).

  18. #43
    FEP Senior Member dtmilsap's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by homer302 View Post
    I believe they are building N95 respirators, not ventilators but I don't work for your company so I could definitely be wrong.
    We are working with a company called Vyaire to build ventilators.

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  19. #44
    FEP Power Member gmatt's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by homer302 View Post
    In the U.S., from Oct. 1, 2019 – Apr. 4, 2020, the CDC estimates that 24,000 to 62,000 people died from the flu. (The CDC does not know the exact number because the flu is not a reportable disease in most parts of the U.S.)
    I'm wondering how many of these flu deaths have been reported as Covid-19 related?

  20. #45
    FEP Super Member webestang's Avatar
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    Back to work 3 days a week, still get unemployment, whenever that kicks in, still waiting for first payment.

    Scotty
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  21. #46

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    -have been working thru it the entire time, albeit I'm a one man band in parts anywho, so I've been here. The worst has
    been the supply chain of getting parts. Our facing PDC, Atlanta, cut us off cause hardly no one volunteered to work there to pull
    parts, so we were handed off to Memphis PDC where we have to wait 2-3 days to get our orders. National PDC started only Emergency
    orders(have to pay for freight) on May 1st. My profits have taken a hit, but on the bright side, I'm still working!
    '87 Turbo Coupe - 660 mile original
    '86 Turbo Coupe - 74k mile stripper

  22. #47

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    Quote Originally Posted by dtmilsap View Post
    We are working with a company called Vyaire to build ventilators.

    Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk
    I've got spare time, LOL. What are those used for? Just curious. Thanks!

  23. #48

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    Quote Originally Posted by gmatt View Post
    I'm wondering how many of these flu deaths have been reported as Covid-19 related?
    Wow, who knows? I never even thought of that. Possibly 100's to maybe 1,000's were attributed to Covid that were just plain flu deaths. We will never know because there was so much fake media and government panic that set this country back decades for no reason. Well, we ALL actually know the reason, it's very simple but we can't talk politics so we can't discuss it here. Anyone with common sense knows why, let's leave it at that. AND....I believe it's going to backfire, which I will enjoy I must admit.
    Last edited by homer302; 05-06-2020 at 04:31 PM.

  24. #49
    FEP Power Member Broncojunkie's Avatar
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    I work in the oil industry...river boat. We move product to and from the local refinery...mostly up and down the OH and Mississippi rivers. My company just reported a huge profit loss, but I'm working extra days. The wife works for a law office in town. They closed down for a few weeks, but it was basically a paid vacation for her.

    The oil industry took a double hit. Russia and Saudi Arabia were in a production war before the virus even hit, which were driving down the cost of oil. We get most of our crude from the US, so our profits went down with refined-product prices.

    I think my company will be ok, but it sure has shaken things up around here. I consider myself lucky to still be working, but I also could have used a vacation.
    79 Pace Car - 331, t5
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  25. #50
    FEP Senior Member dtmilsap's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by homer302 View Post
    I've got spare time, LOL. What are those used for? Just curious. Thanks!
    Vyaire is the one of the world's largest medical supply companies from what I read. They bulid all types of ventilators for adults and children. I will probably not be on the group building them, started building 737 max thrust reversers again today, but at much slower rate.

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