RE: Gotta go talk to the owner

[Tobin S.]

I was out on the road most of the day so I didn't have time to go see the guy until late in the work day. He talked to me for a few minutes, but said he had to go to a doctor's appointment. I have to meet with him at 10am tomorrow. He's going to make a counter offer. Dispatch is going to make sure that I'm available to go see him at that time.

The longer I think about this and the more drawn out it gets, the more frightened I become. I'm not afraid of the owner. I'm afraid of making a big change to another job. A lot of things can go wrong in the trucking industry. Things sometimes aren't as promised. Right now everything is good except for my pay. I have good insurance at a fair price. I have first shift hours and the weekends off. The schedule works well for school. I'm in college part time. I get to spend a lot of time with my sweetie. I actually don't mind the work. Everything besides the pay is just about perfect.

Of course, I haven't said any of that stuff to anyone at work. I'm not going to tip my hand. But, yeah, I'm a little scared to make the change. There was a time when I would have jumped without thinking twice. Now I'm older and I've got someone else to think about. We'll see what the guy has to offer. I could go for a mixture of an hourly increase along with more overtime. I do have to bring in more money from somewhere. There is no doubt about that.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I understand your fear...

And what it tells me is that you're in touch with reality.

I think you're doing the right thing. Hang on, be steady and calm, and I think the pieces will all fall into place.

I'm holding a very good thought for you, my dear Tobin!

[Tobin S.]

3. Will do, Peggy

I got your card. That is a beautiful picture on the front of it.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. Thanks!

I had fun taking it...

[In_The_Wind]

2. Maybe you should stay put where you are if

the owner offers you a pay increase.

Have you thought about a second job after this semester is over? It doesn't have to last forever. Just something small until you get through this crunch you're in.

[Tobin S.]

4. I will, but it has to be a great deal more than what he's giving most everyone else this year

I need a long term fix. It's not a matter of just paying off a credit card or something like that. I've got big bills that are going to be with me for a while.

[In_The_Wind]

8. Easy does it, Tobin.

Your bills will melt away a little at a time. You'll find the right long term fix.

The benefits are what you and Mrs. Tobin S need right now.

The country runs on deliveries from the trucking industry. More drivers that ever before are losing their jobs due to an accumulation of points against them. Such as ~ an out-of-service caused by the trucking company's failure to maintain its equipment is held against the driver and the company. Electronic logs will raise the cost of transporting goods.

[MiddleFingerMom]

6. Figure out what you need, both just hourly OR hourly + OT and then...

.
.
.
... after listening to his counter-offer, if it's not enough... don't be hesitant to make
your OWN counter-offer.
.
"Here's what I need in order to stay here. Bottom line. Bare minimum."
.
"Boss... can you do that?"
.
Keep it simple. "Less than this and I will NEED to leave."
.
Stay strong. Don't allow yourself to be put in a position where you'll be kicking yourself
in a month or two for not leaving now. But if he WILL meet what you NEED...
.
... KNOWING what you can expect from the work aspect? Well... security IS a good ]
thing to have.
.
..

[Tobin S.]

7. Yep, I know what I need

I've run the numbers.

[lunatica]

9. For some reason I missed what this is about

But I think you already know what you need to do. You're the kind of man who looks at his fears squarely in the eye.

[elleng]

11. I missed it too, lunatica,

and think I found it. http://www.democraticunderground.com/1018255244
Notwithstanding, your advice is good.

[Tobin S.]

13. Yes and yes

[lunatica]

14. Thanks!

I hope they reconsider and give TobinS the raise he needs.

[TrogL]

10. Maybe they're considering you for a position of increased responsibility

[Tobin S.]

12. I dounbt it. They seem to like me driving their trucks for them.

I'm okay with that if the pay is good.