"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
01/13/2020 at 11:49 • Filed to: None
5
27|
"AestheticsInMotion" (aestheticsinmotion)
01/13/2020 at 11:49 • Filed to: None | 5
| 27 |
4-5 inches of snow. I love how the vents stay visible
Don’t get me wrong, I cleared my car, dropped the top and headed to the main vehicle terminal 6 miles away. I was ready to work, and probably would have enjoyed it.
The drive was the most fun I’ve had in the Miata in months. These three year old winter tires are definitely not suitable for mountain shenanigans anymore, but they do a *decent* job getting around town.
When I arrived at work I asked management what they had done in preparation for snow and ice. Our work area is 30+ miles away in one of the cities that got hit the hardest. It’s hilly and full of winding roads that won’t ever see a plow.
The response?
“nothing. There’s not really any way to prepare.”
Oh. I distinctly remember swapping snow tires on, double-checking chains, buying bags of sand, rerouting to avoid side streets, and many other “ways to prepare” in my previous fleet-based lines of work as employee, manager and owner.
“yes but, *redacted* can’t do that”
No? USPS does it everytime there is inclement weather.
“yes but it’s too expensive”
It’s a cost of doing business. You know what’s really expensive? Replacing damaged trucks. Dealing with the lost work from said damaged trucks. Seeing insurance premiums rise due to a plethora of accidents. Losing employees due to injuries suffered on the job when the ill-maintained tin cans they drive sans seat belt inevitably slide into the middle of an icy intersection and get t-boned.
“it’s too expensive”
I’m not mad... More like disgusted. Or ashamed on someone else’s behalf? I can’t imagine I’ll be here much longer, as I’ve been quick to talk out against a management team that seems unwilling to put in place systems to optimize efficiency and safety. I love my clients, and some of the fellow drivers are GREAT people, but good God, situations like this really drive home some of the large underlying issues with this company.
We WERE all given the option to go home.
“I can’t force you to work in these conditions” was the company line. Translated that means “you can leave but the choice will be 100% on you and we take no responsibility. We’ll just tell all of your clients you decided not to come in even though we desperately needed you (and leave out the bits about gross negligence in terms of preparation on our part....)”
Myself and one other employee left. The others stayed which I certainly don’t fault them for. Some of them drive hours to work in *normal* circumstances, I can’t imagine the commute today. wish them the best on the road, and dearly hope they don’t take unnecessary risks for a few bucks. I'm certainly no pro, but I like to think that the time I've spent pushing the Miata to the limits in the snow has made me at least above average in snow driving around here. I can't imagine driving a 40 foot truck with poor visibility, bad tires and almost no weight in the back...
As always, if you’re out driving and you see a delivery vehicle, stay as far away as possible.
Okay, rant over.
I guess I’ve got no excuse not to go to the gym now, and don’t worry. I’ll get in some Miata shenanigans later. Thank you nkato for the weather updates, it’s nice to have some eyes on the ground!
NKato
> AestheticsInMotion
01/13/2020 at 11:56 |
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You’re welcome.
MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick)
> AestheticsInMotion
01/13/2020 at 12:04 |
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I’m a little confused but I think you can clarify:
they did not prep the trucks for the snow, but still gave you the option of taking the unsafe unprepared trucks instead of TELLING you not to and to go home. They left it ‘up to you’ regarding going home to avoid the consequences of actually sending you home.
On a completely unrelated note the UPS truck that delivers near me sounds really cool and unique and must have an exhaust leak. It keeps tricking me into thinking it’s something old and interesting
shop-teacher
> AestheticsInMotion
01/13/2020 at 12:05 |
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Hoon on!
CalzoneGolem
> AestheticsInMotion
01/13/2020 at 12:05 |
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“We can’t make you work but if you don’t we’ll remem ber.”
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AestheticsInMotion
> MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick)
01/13/2020 at 12:07 |
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Yes, everything you said is correct.
Lol exhaust leaks can do some fun things. I still remember when my OEM Miata exhaust sounded like a burbly crackly high-end 911 varient due to there being *no* connection between the cat and the rest of the exhaust back to the tailpipe. Good times
Textured Soy Protein
> AestheticsInMotion
01/13/2020 at 12:17 |
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What I’ve found in my too-many years in the workplace is that while all workplaces are often immune to common sense, some are more immune than others.
Chariotoflove
> AestheticsInMotion
01/13/2020 at 12:21 |
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When sketchy weather threatens at my college, they give employees the option to use their discretion and leave early, but they specify it will cost vacation hours to do it if the college remains open. Sounds like a similar attitude disguised as concern for employee safety.
What company are you working for?
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AestheticsInMotion
> Chariotoflove
01/13/2020 at 12:25 |
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Yes, that does sound similar. Is the school at least decent about weather-based closures or do they generally push it to o far? I remember years ago our entire school system shut down on a snow threat—no snow ever showed up. Then a month later with a similar snow threat, they decided to remain open, only to close at 11am due to nightmare conditions. Parents were pissed.
A major competitor to UPS that is not Amazon.
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Chariotoflove
> AestheticsInMotion
01/13/2020 at 12:29 |
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If they know we are getting snow for sure or bad weather is in progress, they will close and not charge anyone. If bad weather is threatening, like tornado watches may be coming, they will stay open. People here freak out at the thought and leave anyway.
fintail
> AestheticsInMotion
01/13/2020 at 12:34 |
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I’m home today, no complaints. Was going to get in some hockey practice, but with local schools closed, I predict the rinks will be a gongs how, so I think I’ll just go to free Monday at downtown Bellevue and skate in circles. I’ll probably walk for the minor exercise it provides, to enjoy the snow, and not get my car dirty.
Regarding explaining to people that you were out, certainly mention that they provide you with neglected trucks wearing bald tires. Ah that sweet unregulated capitalism.
WilliamsSW
> AestheticsInMotion
01/13/2020 at 12:35 |
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Sketchy weather + sketchy safety procedures = no work + snownuts + Miata hooning
It’s just math.
My bird IS the word
> AestheticsInMotion
01/13/2020 at 12:38 |
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No way snow chains are more expensive than workman's comp.
Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> AestheticsInMotion
01/13/2020 at 12:50 |
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In my area the white trucks that say “FedEx” on the sides are usually 4 wheel drive 1 ton trucks with a canopy. UPS trucks carry chains, I know because I see their marks in my driveway. They are also starting to use “contractors” for delivery and I don’t know how I feel about that. I think you made the right call. I mean the best scenario is a long day with many near misses and much spinning of tires.
TheTurbochargedSquirrel
> AestheticsInMotion
01/13/2020 at 13:00 |
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That sounds just like my High School. Got trigger happy canceling one day, the next snow storm they decided to do nothing despite all 13 sending towns (went to a Regional Vocational school) cancelling. Ended up getting absolutely butt fucked by snow and they let us out at 11:30. Ended up spending 3 hours in the school bus stuck on an uphill corner on a back road. It was great, we had pizza delivered to that bus and were partying it up until the bus company came and rescued the bus.
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MKULTRA1982(ConCrustyBrick)
> AestheticsInMotion
01/13/2020 at 13:04 |
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It makes it really hard to want to fix it. I had the muffler (resonator already deleted by previous owner) disconnect off my last Volvo while sitting at a stop light. Clean break so it basically went from normal to straight piped, and I didn’t realize it was my idle I was hearing until I pulled away.
Unequal length headers sounded amazing and it would burble and pop if I kept my foot on the the throttle while coasting. Got several compliments at stop lights and had a good laugh when o told them it was just broken. Then I got a ticket and it was less fun.
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AestheticsInMotion
> Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
01/13/2020 at 13:09 |
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Yeah, locally at least this company is served solely b y contracted companies that are all located together in one big terminal. Anywhere from one guy to twenty guys per contracted company.
We’ve got the big international and Ford trucks, rwd on bad all-seasons. T hey spin the tires in good weather. T hat booty continues for another 4 f eet or so out of frame.
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AestheticsInMotion
> WilliamsSW
01/13/2020 at 13:10 |
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I like yur formulas
haveacarortwoorthree2
> Chariotoflove
01/13/2020 at 13:14 |
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I never really saw Texans freak out about tornadoes, or even bad storms. The threat of snow, though - dear god, don’t get between them the grocery store and gas stations.
RPM esq.
> AestheticsInMotion
01/13/2020 at 13:16 |
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My FJ80 had a very appealing, almost V8-like roar when revved up...cat had been stolen and it was more or less straight-piped with some burble holes along the way.
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haveacarortwoorthree2
> AestheticsInMotion
01/13/2020 at 13:18 |
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Our company is really good about trying to make the right decisions and do well by employees, but you still have individual store managers or area directors make the stupidest decisions for the dumbest reasons. In other words, you can’t fix stupid.
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AestheticsInMotion
> RPM esq.
01/13/2020 at 13:19 |
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Wait... People steal catalytic converters?
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RPM esq.
> AestheticsInMotion
01/13/2020 at 13:26 |
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Assholes do, for the precious metals inside. M ore of a problem on vehicles that a thief can easily crawl under without a jack. It happened sometime before my ownership and I solved that and a rust-holed muffler by having a muffler shop straight-pipe it, but there were still a lot of leaks upstream.
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Chariotoflove
> haveacarortwoorthree2
01/13/2020 at 13:30 |
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Yeah, that’s true. Friday we had threats of tornadoes and maybe hail, and we got an email about leaving early. I don’t know how many did though. If they had said snow, everyone would have evacuated.
Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
> AestheticsInMotion
01/13/2020 at 14:35 |
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Surely you jest. This has been a thing for quite a while now. Meth heads and scrappers want the metal.
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Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
> AestheticsInMotion
01/13/2020 at 14:38 |
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I was lucky enough to get home last night, so I didn’t chance it this morning and canceled my appointments. I was super pissed that we only got a few inches at my house . If I’m gonna not work, just give me a foot of snow please.
It’s supposed to drop to 25 tonight, so get ready for something much worse than slush and snow: ice! Black ice, white ice, and various other ethnic ices.
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AestheticsInMotion
> Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
01/13/2020 at 15:03 |
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Yeah the impending ice situation looks awful
. I’m very much undecided on what I’m going to do the next few days in regards to work.
Sounds like a good call on your part. Glad you got the Lexus in safely. And, uh... Yourself. Of course.
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AestheticsInMotion
> Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
01/13/2020 at 15:06 |
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Huh. I know they’ve got minute amounts of platinum and other things but I never would have guessed it would be worth the effort to extract. I think these meth heads need to work on their cost-benefit analysis'