A Door Closed Yesterday... Another Opened

[GreenMtns]

Hi Scotty

I know its a bit of a shock to lose a job that you've have for years. I too was very hesitant to move to a better job some years ago because I could not see life from a different perspective. Strange because a lot of the really good things in my life have happened AFTER the change.
You are in a pretty good place with you severance and pension package. If you really like woodworking, follow it by all means. Keep something in mind. If you do this, your Vermont address is money in the bank. It seems there is a strong belief by those with a ton of money, that anything that says "Made in Vermont" MUST be better than any made elsewhere and they are willing to pay a premium for it. And remember, you will be working at your own pace, in your own time.

If your son is good at wed site design let him have a go at it. What the heck do you have to lose?

PS Sending you a PM

 

['Bota Fan]

Scotty, that you can post as positively as you did only one day after receiving this news is amazing. You're on the right track.

Seems you could take the advice of both of your sons and have plenty to do between woodworking and the EMT thing. All the best to you.

 

[RobertN]

EMT class would be good for a start. You have time to sign up for Spring semester. I have a friend who is a volunteer medic outside of Brookfield/New-Milford.

Being an active Scout leader, I like having my EMT training and certs. None of our kids have gotten hurt on an outing yet, but I like knowing how to handle it when it does happen(I hope it doesn't, but still am prepared).

 

[kenmac]

Hate to hear that happen to you . Keep your head up and a good attitude. Smemthing will come along that will work out for the better

good luck to you

 

[Bird]

Scotty, I certainly wish you the best. Whatever route you take, if you're going to work for a living, try to make it something you enjoy doing.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

WOW... Even if you see something like that coming, it's still a blow when it happens. I'm with Bird. Not IF, but WHEN you find something else, make it something you want to do and will enjoy. Any thoughts of opening your own machine shop? I've seen examples of your work and it would be a shame to put that sort of talent on the shelf.

Good things happen for good people. You'll land on your feet. Hang in there buddy.

Bill

 

[Steve_Miller]

I see you have your smile back instead of the frown, you just remembered that this can mean more tractor time. What ever you do you will succeed at and we will be happy for you, from every post of yours I've ever read it seems that you are very resourceful, so I know it will be successful. Just try and stick close to home and remember, every day you wake up, means it's going to be a good day. I believe in you.
I quit a government job that was well paying and had an excellent benefits and pension twelve years ago for a job where I got dirty and made six dollars less an hour and practically no pension, but I was much happier as I didn't have to travel an hour each way to and from work. Now I can bicycle the two miles back and forth to work and I'm home every day at 2:30 in the afternoon. My free time means a lot to me just to be able to be outside while its still light after work. Just in travel time alone if you add it up may surprise you. I traveled about two hours a day, five days a week, forty eight weeks a year, that equates to 480 hours a year I now have to myself at home. Sorry to babble, it's just my nature sometimes.


Steve

 

[motepoc]

Scotty,

About the same happened to me. I was a scheduler/planner maintaining a work schedule for 16 mechanics and 14 CE (electricians/instrument) men. They have been moving the textile work out of this country for a long time. Since I took the byeout back in 2001 I have worked at several different jobs. While at our plant I was a mechanic for about 15 years, a computer support technician for 13 years, and a scheduler/planner for 5 years. Before I actually had to leave I went to the local Tech School here in town and asked them if they could use my talents. I don't have a college degree, but with all the experience I've had, it was good enough to teach a night industrial maintenance class. Did that for three years and was rated in the top 5 % of the instructors at the school. Could this be a possibility for you? Check in at the tech school in your area. The people in my classes were very good. We had one or two that wanted to cut up, but the others let them know real quick why they were there and that they had paid with their money, so if the foolers wanted to leave they could.
Also, went back to work on and off three times for a year each time to help the old company out. They were sending jobs out of country, but they had helped me put 5 kids thru school, and provide well for my family. And they are sending me a check each month, so helping them out isn't a problem. I have also worked in a bowling alley (because we bowl a lot) as night manager two nights and mechanic two nights and opening manager on Saturday with the kids.
I believe that with the attitude you have shown, you can do just about anything. You might think about going back to school yourself. You might want to check into the program where your employer pays up to $5,000 for you to retrain, because of the jobs going out of country.
Good luck, and let us know how it's going.

 

[jpm]

scotty sorry to hear about the job.
you could think of it as a chance to do something else you like but doesn't pay as well ,ie woodworking ect with out as much bs.or you can go to vt and take up skiing

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

BTDT too. Twice. No pension. Not fun. I think the uncertainty is the hardest part. I helped a painter do some painting. Some Roofing, etc...ended up at a motorcyle shop for 1/3 the pay. Had fun, just broke all the time.

Ended up going to college while collecting unemployment. The funny thing is back then, they frowned on attending college while "trying to find a job". Nowadays, they will actually pay for some types of training if your type of work is moved "overseas". Check into this. Different states have different rules.

Finished 2+ years of college. Finally got offered about 3/4 of my original pay to run a big CNC lathe. Qiut school. Still in manufacturing after 29 years tired of watching jobs go to China. Chaps my ***** to see this happen.

America needs to wake up and realize we are losing our talent and its hard to convince a young person to work in this line of work knowing that shop after shop is closing.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel. China's been tying their currency to the dollar and not letting it float. They are maybe thinking differently now. If they let their currency rise, it will help make things not so rosy to send jobs over there. I find it hard to believe that American companies will put their companies at risk being so dependent on their parts coming from China. OK, I'm getting off my soapbox.

I don't know your financial needs but I can say, you have some time on your hands to think about what you want to do and the possibilities are almost endless. I'm happily married with kids now but I've always dreamed of being the pool cleaner at the playboy mansion!