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Originally Posted by dgilday  Ignorant? I'm currently working with a company that is about to lay-off over 45% of their workforce. You tell me, what should I do? I'd love to take a page out of your book. Hey, I'll tell you what....I'll call my boss, tell him exactly what I think about the state of the company, and what I plan on doing after they force me out. That should go over well, dont you think? OF COURSE IT WONT, I'll be fired on the spot, thrown out the door, no more benefits, not more vacation....nothing.... So I ask you, is what you are doing any different? Nope. You'll continue to complain about things, to supervisors, union reps & co-workers without any reprocussions to worry about. You'll take your $150k/year job, knowing that in the "real world" you'd only be making $75k Max.
You're pay has been cut, you're working more hours than usual, you've been forced to wear a tie to work. Well guess what, that is exactly what the rest of us are doing out in the "Real World". All of us have bosses that we dont like, and rules imposed that we dont agree with. If you don't like it, quit whining or leave!
I never stated your job was insignificant or undeserving of the pay that you recieve. I understand that your job is stressful, and I understand that pressure that you put on your shoulders each and every day. I hate to even compare the work that I have done in the restaurant as to the work you do in the center, however, don't presume that my job is as much of a cake walk (no-pun intended) as you suggest. Lives are not at stake every single day, but until you live a day in my shoes, and try to meet the expectations I set for myself, don't assume that your the only one with pressure on your shoulders. 90-100 hour workweeks are not uncommon for mid-level management, and in fact I've worked as much as 120. Actually its encouraged in order to move-up the preverbial ladder. What would you say if your sup asked you to work 100 hours next week? What would your family say?
The mindset of the workforce is that the government somehow "owes" you for the job that you do each day. The agency is full of disgruntled employees, each willing to put their resignation in on a daily basis. If you truly beleive the grass is greener, by all means give it a shot! Most of the controllers I have met have no clue that they have fallen into a goldmine! In the meantime, enjoy your job, be thankful that you found it. For those of us that are lucky enough to wear the badge someday, I can only hope that we bring a different mindset and mentality to the agency, as it is desperately needed.
Dave |
Dave,
I do not understand what you are trying to convey in your first paragraph. "Is what you're doing any different?" What does that mean?
$150,000 salary? Good luck getting to that point as a controller, even in a Level 12 facility.
My favorite is the "real world." Tell me, what is the real world like exactly? I wonder in what world controllers are living in right now.
I would say most people who whine on a daily basis at their job end up moving on sooner rather than later. Granted, they may continue their wihining somewhere else. In that case, that is more an issue of personality disorder than anything else. In a restaurant, or retail, you have the option of going somewhere else...there are thousands of opportunities. For someone who loves controlling air traffic, his/her options are limited.
What reaction do you suggest controllers to exhibit? "Thank you for lowering my salary by 30%, making me work 10-hour days for six consecutive days, declining my holiday requests; I have been waiting for such new benefits for so long! My family and I graciously appreciate your generosity."
Does the fact that you work 100-120 hours make it reasonable and
safe for every single profession in existence? Do a NEWS search on google daily. Chances are, today another controller was blamed for a serious near-miss.
No, the grass is not greener on the other side. You create your own environment.