Riggins with little brother Charlie and little sister Sadie.

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Friday, May 14, 2010

TGIF or Reretired.

Up at 04:00am with Donna, had coffee, and Donna is off to the truck company, Adam was up at 06:30am and in the shower, have to be spruced up for Friday at school, Grandpa is going to take him to the end of the driveway in the truck as it is raining again, Adam said to let you know only eight more school days before summer vacation break. Wow summers here already, he is already looking forward to heading out in the camper with Grandpa.

Well as some of you know that follow this blog,I had an incident with what I can only term office politics, with one of the dispatchers in our home terminal, a place I have never set foot in, and the dispatcher I never laid eyes on before. I declined a local one day trip the day before my scheduled 7 day trip to Florida a couple weeks ago, I did this to insure I was well rested with a day off before leaving for 7 days. I was called later and told I would not be taking the trip to Fla. Evidently the lady dispatcher took offense to me saying no and complained to the owners wife and I was On The List, I received a call later that week from my terminal manager, who is a great guy saying he was told by the owner not to put me on overnight charters, only one day trips, First of all the pay rate for a single day trip is lower than an overnight trip, and secondly you are only paid for 8 hours, and most trips are way over that, for instance yesterday I sat at the casino for 5 hours waiting for my 9 people to return to the bus. I left the terminal at 6:00am and returned at 07:00pm 13 hours for 8 hours pay, so a lot of days your hourly wage is pretty low, plus deduct $15 dollars each way for the 130 mile round trip commute to the terminal and it is even lower what actually ends up in your pocket. Also in the last three weeks I only received the one  day trip which was yesterday, so I guess when your on The List, you don’t get much work.

Anyway although I truly enjoy motor coach driving and I really like the interaction with the passengers and the places I have been able to visit, after much soul searching and discussion with Donna, I decided it was no longer an economic advantage to us for me to continue my employment under these circumstances and this morning I submitted my resignation.

Oh well life goes on and I am sure I will find out what ever life holds in store for us.

I want to apologize to anyone who got multiple comments yesterday, or none at all, since the computer I was using yesterday at the Casino Hotel was dealing me fits when I would go to post a comment, it would take me back to the comment post block where you put the secret code and tell me I got code wrong, well even though I might not be the sharpest scissor in the basket, after 5 or 6 tries surely I got one of them right, I found out from one of my readers that she received 5 identical comments, Boy I’ll bet SHE remembers that comment.

I am really enjoying reading about all the others that are either on the road or just doing like us and planning to leave or living their between trips life. It’s all like extended family, In fact I agree with a lot of others that the bloggers I have become acquainted with seem more interested in our mundane existence, than real family members who apart from a couple rarely read our blog.

That’s about it for today, Be safe out there, Sam & Donna.

9 comments:

  1. Hang in there Sam we are sending clear skies your way from KC.

    You talk about office politics you should work for a large church its like a soap opera.

    We call it "As The Church Turns"

    Kenny

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  2. I am so sorry to hear about your troubles with that dispatcher. Sounds like she has a problem. Life is too short for that kind of stuff. Welcome to retirement!!
    I agree with your statement about this community being like an extended family...we are. That is what I wrote about yesterday in my blog. It is truly amazing when you think about it.
    I also agree about the family statement. I began our blog to keep family and former friends updated on our travels but I find they don't read it like I thought they would. Oh well. My extended family does. For that we are thankful.

    Enjoy and sit back and relax!!
    Mike & Gerri (happytrails)
    http://freedom2roll.blogspot.com

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  3. It's too bad that your employer chose to be so vindictive about your right to opt for "safety" over driving a bus full of people while you are tired. Just seems ridiculous to me when you read about accidents caused by drivers falling asleep. Hopefully, this will turn out for the best and will result in an earlier, happy retirement for you.

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  4. Hi Sam & Donna

    Found your blog from Ken & Nanettes. Sorry to hear about the problems with your job. Office politics can sure be a nasty game people play.

    I look forward to getting to know you and your family.

    We live/work/travel with the carnival. Check out my blog to see what we are up to and where we are.

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  5. I can't believe there is only eight more days of school left for your grandson. Seems like spring has barely started.

    As for the company, it's their loss! Why don't you come and drive my rig? I hate driving. :)

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  6. P.S. Of course, I don't pay anything at all! :)

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  7. I packed in my Airports passenger van job in August of 2000 & have never ever regretted it. After 13 years & hundreds of thousands of miles the traffic & lunatic drivers were just getting crazier by the day & enough was enough. I have avoided large city driving ever since.

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  8. Things happen for reasons, Sam....You are getting ready for total retirement...relax..enjoy each other's company..It is amazing how much money you DON'T need!!!! and thanks for following our blog...

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  9. I wouldn't work for free much less pay to work. Since they closed my sales center I am back working at the one in Baton Rouge. I work 4 ten hour days Monday through Thursday. Make the two hour commute in on Monday mornings and back out after work on Thursday nights.

    It is tiring and I miss my house and my stuff. But they pay for my lodging and mileage and I am allowed to bring Buddy with me. He is a good office dog. Mostly just lays around under my desk and rests all day.

    Tammy

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