I'm sure there are many more out there, but one that I find more and more interesting is Towing and Repossession.
In a recession many people are losing there jobs, and it seems that the best job to have in these times is one that benefits on people's misfortunes. What better job to have then someone who deals directly with consumer who have problems with the second biggest purchase they make in their lives. Whether they can't make their payments or they are having problems with the vehicles and need to get them fixed.
Dealing with repossessions and/or towing is a great place. In this recession I see if going no other direction then up. A membership based service will seem stranger based on membership purchases. You can see here that more used cars are purchased than new cars, which means, more cars will be needed to get towed. And a membership is a reassurance that you could save money with the tow if something else happens.
I'm glad I made the decision to head back out west for this industry, but living in this crappy little town helped me with that decision. Too much small town crap... To all who are deciding on making a relocation/career change, weigh the options in the industry.
New twitter account has been setup for the work I will be doing out west, after April 15th be sure to check up on it. Twitter - Tow Truck Driver
Friday, March 20, 2009
Update Time
Been a while again, so many things going on in life. I'm starting a change in my lifestyle with excersize and nutrition. I'm relocating back to Alberta to get back into the Roadside Service and Towing Industry again. The way the market is going it seems to be the best choice.
I have learned lots in the past little while and am running with it. My awesome girlfriend may be following me to Alberta in early fall when she has completed her post secondary. Very exciting for the both of us.
Also a sideline business idea I will be pursuing once I get to Alberta. This isn't a very big blog post, but I will try to stick with it more, and keep everyone updated with life, and pass on information about as much as I can...
I want to keep this short as, I don't want pages to one blog post, something that just shouldn't be, as pointed out by my cousin.
Anyways, short and sweet, and I will try to keep everyone updated. Love you all, YEEHAW!
I have learned lots in the past little while and am running with it. My awesome girlfriend may be following me to Alberta in early fall when she has completed her post secondary. Very exciting for the both of us.
Also a sideline business idea I will be pursuing once I get to Alberta. This isn't a very big blog post, but I will try to stick with it more, and keep everyone updated with life, and pass on information about as much as I can...
I want to keep this short as, I don't want pages to one blog post, something that just shouldn't be, as pointed out by my cousin.
Anyways, short and sweet, and I will try to keep everyone updated. Love you all, YEEHAW!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Monthiversary
Well even though the title really doesn't have much to do with the post, it is part of it. The person who brought up the Monthiversary, she is awesome, in every way, and I don't understand why more people can't be like her.
In my day today, which technically it is still the 3rd for me, the Monthiversary (being something small of my day) has been the best part of my day. I am waiting for a call from a trucking company to say, "LET'S GO," as I can't stand being in Grey Bruce anymore. The things, and people, here drive me nuts. I can pretty well count on my fingers the amount of people I actually like talking to here, how pathetic is that. Being my home town you would expect more then that. Myself, being one of those people who was described as being, "Friends with everybody," hates this place and can't wait to leave.
Sure I moved back here from Alberta, due to legal/family reasons, but am regretting almost every minute of it. Accept for getting the chance to have coffee with an awesome woman.
Waiting for the call from the trucking company irritates me every minute they don't call. Even though my brother is working on setting me up to work for the same retarded company he works for doing snow removal. They basically want me to say I'll work for them until the snow is gone, whether or not the trucking company calls. YEEHAW, well he's my option, do I fuck my brother over, by pissing off the company he's with (quitting the day the trucking company calls). Or, option 2, sit and wait for the company to call and turn down this other job, or ask the trucking company wait until winter is over (snow stops falling). There's my quandary of the day. Hmmmm, or maybe, life would just fall into place for me, where I could be happy, working 40 hours a week, be home every night, and have a very manageable income. NOOOO, that would be too easy, and i guess and easy life would be boring.
I guess this is kinda making me sound like a loser, but whatever. This is me, and that's how I am, even though I can get along with almost anyone.
There you go, my rant for the day, sorry this wasn't the best post but it had to all be let out, anyone have any ideas on where to lead this wonderful life of mine? I'm hoping more on the trucking company, sure it's not 40 hours a week home every night, but it gets me out of this hell hole, and making decent income.
Then of course, it'll be harder to see this woman, but will it be worth it? I mean she is awesome and is game for it, and now is the time to do it not having family and all... I can't see myself being a long haul trucker for a long period in my life, but definitely something I'd like to get experience in, now that I have my license for it. This brings me to the blog post Complicated Life. Everyone has their problems and decisions to make in their life, but after my parents reading the above blog post, they also make point that they are stuck in the same kind of predicament, and the options never change through life...
To finish this off, all I must say is, WHATEVER, lol... I guess I'll figure it out as life goes on, I will however stand by the statement I have learned to love. "Live life to it's fullest, if there's something in your life you don't like, or stresses you out, CHANGE IT!" I am working on it, but it will take some time. Cheers to all
In my day today, which technically it is still the 3rd for me, the Monthiversary (being something small of my day) has been the best part of my day. I am waiting for a call from a trucking company to say, "LET'S GO," as I can't stand being in Grey Bruce anymore. The things, and people, here drive me nuts. I can pretty well count on my fingers the amount of people I actually like talking to here, how pathetic is that. Being my home town you would expect more then that. Myself, being one of those people who was described as being, "Friends with everybody," hates this place and can't wait to leave.
Sure I moved back here from Alberta, due to legal/family reasons, but am regretting almost every minute of it. Accept for getting the chance to have coffee with an awesome woman.
Waiting for the call from the trucking company irritates me every minute they don't call. Even though my brother is working on setting me up to work for the same retarded company he works for doing snow removal. They basically want me to say I'll work for them until the snow is gone, whether or not the trucking company calls. YEEHAW, well he's my option, do I fuck my brother over, by pissing off the company he's with (quitting the day the trucking company calls). Or, option 2, sit and wait for the company to call and turn down this other job, or ask the trucking company wait until winter is over (snow stops falling). There's my quandary of the day. Hmmmm, or maybe, life would just fall into place for me, where I could be happy, working 40 hours a week, be home every night, and have a very manageable income. NOOOO, that would be too easy, and i guess and easy life would be boring.
I guess this is kinda making me sound like a loser, but whatever. This is me, and that's how I am, even though I can get along with almost anyone.
There you go, my rant for the day, sorry this wasn't the best post but it had to all be let out, anyone have any ideas on where to lead this wonderful life of mine? I'm hoping more on the trucking company, sure it's not 40 hours a week home every night, but it gets me out of this hell hole, and making decent income.
Then of course, it'll be harder to see this woman, but will it be worth it? I mean she is awesome and is game for it, and now is the time to do it not having family and all... I can't see myself being a long haul trucker for a long period in my life, but definitely something I'd like to get experience in, now that I have my license for it. This brings me to the blog post Complicated Life. Everyone has their problems and decisions to make in their life, but after my parents reading the above blog post, they also make point that they are stuck in the same kind of predicament, and the options never change through life...
To finish this off, all I must say is, WHATEVER, lol... I guess I'll figure it out as life goes on, I will however stand by the statement I have learned to love. "Live life to it's fullest, if there's something in your life you don't like, or stresses you out, CHANGE IT!" I am working on it, but it will take some time. Cheers to all
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Careers?
There is one thing I remember from a high school course, Career Studies. This thing is "Your career, is not a job, your career is your life." I really like this saying because it reminds people that, you can have more than one job as a 'career' because no matter what you do life will continue on. Just find something you like and continue with it, if you don't like it, change it, find something else...
I'm basing this on the job opportunities that have been offered to me out west. Recently I have received my AZ/Class 1 license and of course this helps for work but there are more options than even really conceived me.
I can go back to tow trucking out west if I like to where i was before. Or maybe start my own business towing and try to get some contracts in some smaller towns? But what guarantees the pay, nothing, that's why it's your own business. However, I could also go start and apprenticeship for boom truck operator and put my class 1 to use. Could be moving oil field equipment with a 45 tonne boom truck, and a tandem steer tri-axle rig. Way bigger than I've ever driven, but maybe that could be good too? Maybe i should go get my boom truck license work for a year, then maybe start my own business when I can be 25 and have cheaper insurance... HMMM...
Life is very confusing, and there are so many options... I could go to school and become a cop, lawyer, vet, w/e, there are lots of options, but at least I'm starting to narrow them down. Moral of the story is, find something you love to do, and do it... If it changes, then change it. What do I do? I think the only response I know for sure, is to get OUT of Ontario...
I'm basing this on the job opportunities that have been offered to me out west. Recently I have received my AZ/Class 1 license and of course this helps for work but there are more options than even really conceived me.
I can go back to tow trucking out west if I like to where i was before. Or maybe start my own business towing and try to get some contracts in some smaller towns? But what guarantees the pay, nothing, that's why it's your own business. However, I could also go start and apprenticeship for boom truck operator and put my class 1 to use. Could be moving oil field equipment with a 45 tonne boom truck, and a tandem steer tri-axle rig. Way bigger than I've ever driven, but maybe that could be good too? Maybe i should go get my boom truck license work for a year, then maybe start my own business when I can be 25 and have cheaper insurance... HMMM...
Life is very confusing, and there are so many options... I could go to school and become a cop, lawyer, vet, w/e, there are lots of options, but at least I'm starting to narrow them down. Moral of the story is, find something you love to do, and do it... If it changes, then change it. What do I do? I think the only response I know for sure, is to get OUT of Ontario...
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Not A typical Post
Alright, well this isn't a typical post, however i got a picture today and I needed to do a little blurb on it...
Pictures are worth 1000 words, and well this one even comes with a subject line. Child labour present in Canada? The words spell it for you. We must stand against it. Where are the infants, how can I return it to the infants, where are they hiding!?
Saw the labeled ladder at my local Wal-Mart (which is now open 24 hours, it's insane in this small town, another story, lol) noticing that there's no way it could've been written by infants them self. They must have a leader ;)...
Anyways, thought I'd share that with ya'll... Peace
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Life, as you know it...
As I have now encountered a moment in life that my cousin has recently gone through, and made a post on how to get through it. I figured I would do a reply blog with my own additives with my views on the situation.
Cousin's Post
Alright, so we all are aware as I write this blog post I am doing the steps to make sure I get my facts straight and can get my views on them.
After a breakup, yes my relationship wasn't near as long as my cousin's, however, it was still something that made a effect on my life. It was good, and she is a great girl, but I have too much crap going on in my life, as does she. Therefore, at this point in our lives, this relationship just isn't going to work.
Step 1: Facebook
I have seem to be one of those people who have fallen into the depths of the 'relationship status.' Even though i didn't select the person in which i was a couple with. I still have it selected, now the way to remove it that i will try, is to choose just not to show relationship status. Hopefully this will not lead to a million people asking all the retarded questions...... Shit well, i tried to remove it, and well, it got removed but still posted in the news feed, Matt is no longer listed as in a relationship. Let's hope it doesn't get stupid from here. Although, i guess, facebook, as a social network, is just doing it's job.
Step 2: Buy a New Computer
Well, that's out of the question. I've only had my Mac for approximately 3 months. No way i'm getting a new one already, however, because it is so new, it is simple to remove the things in the system that remind me of the previous.
We're still gonna try the, still being friends thing, which I really hope works out, as she is a great person, just not in the right place in our lives.
Step 3: Stop following on twitter
These are getting easier, she's NOT on twitter, maybe that is another reason for us not working out, nah, well...?
Steps: 4 through 6
Again, nothing for me to do. However, the other thing in which the cousin did not touch upon as it doesn't affect her situation, is, being in a small town with tat individual. There's only 1 bar, 1 walmart, population of 22,000ppl. That really isn't a big amount, as I will likely run into her multiple times. Hoping the friend thing works the small city won't be an ordeal. However, if the friend thing isn't going to work for your situation, MOVE.
Step 7: Move (if applicable)
Get the hell out of the small town. Chances are you've been in that area most of your life and you need to get out anyways. I was in Alberta, and came back to shitty grey bruce for family reasons. I would love to go back out there, but am planning for April.
Step 8: Buy a new vehicle
Had to add this to make up for the computer. This is more of an inside joke that advice, however it isn't a bad thought, I am headed to the auction this weekend to do that very thing, maybe find a snow plow to keep my mind off of the past, and will keep me busy. Wow, that is advice. HAHAHA
Life as you know it, is NOT over, it is just starting a new chapter that you have to grab by the horns and take charge with. As you are an insignificant little speck in this spectrum of the universe, the thing to remember from that statement is, YOU ARE!
Cousin's Post
Alright, so we all are aware as I write this blog post I am doing the steps to make sure I get my facts straight and can get my views on them.
After a breakup, yes my relationship wasn't near as long as my cousin's, however, it was still something that made a effect on my life. It was good, and she is a great girl, but I have too much crap going on in my life, as does she. Therefore, at this point in our lives, this relationship just isn't going to work.
Step 1: Facebook
I have seem to be one of those people who have fallen into the depths of the 'relationship status.' Even though i didn't select the person in which i was a couple with. I still have it selected, now the way to remove it that i will try, is to choose just not to show relationship status. Hopefully this will not lead to a million people asking all the retarded questions...... Shit well, i tried to remove it, and well, it got removed but still posted in the news feed, Matt is no longer listed as in a relationship. Let's hope it doesn't get stupid from here. Although, i guess, facebook, as a social network, is just doing it's job.
Step 2: Buy a New Computer
Well, that's out of the question. I've only had my Mac for approximately 3 months. No way i'm getting a new one already, however, because it is so new, it is simple to remove the things in the system that remind me of the previous.
We're still gonna try the, still being friends thing, which I really hope works out, as she is a great person, just not in the right place in our lives.
Step 3: Stop following on twitter
These are getting easier, she's NOT on twitter, maybe that is another reason for us not working out, nah, well...?
Steps: 4 through 6
Again, nothing for me to do. However, the other thing in which the cousin did not touch upon as it doesn't affect her situation, is, being in a small town with tat individual. There's only 1 bar, 1 walmart, population of 22,000ppl. That really isn't a big amount, as I will likely run into her multiple times. Hoping the friend thing works the small city won't be an ordeal. However, if the friend thing isn't going to work for your situation, MOVE.
Step 7: Move (if applicable)
Get the hell out of the small town. Chances are you've been in that area most of your life and you need to get out anyways. I was in Alberta, and came back to shitty grey bruce for family reasons. I would love to go back out there, but am planning for April.
Step 8: Buy a new vehicle
Had to add this to make up for the computer. This is more of an inside joke that advice, however it isn't a bad thought, I am headed to the auction this weekend to do that very thing, maybe find a snow plow to keep my mind off of the past, and will keep me busy. Wow, that is advice. HAHAHA
Life as you know it, is NOT over, it is just starting a new chapter that you have to grab by the horns and take charge with. As you are an insignificant little speck in this spectrum of the universe, the thing to remember from that statement is, YOU ARE!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Modern Day Sweat Shop
I have recently acquired a new job in which I hate... I am working at a call center that does internet tech support for a full service cable, internet, tv company out of the US. This place is well, what myself and my trainer have recently decided is a modern day sweat shop.
Over the coarse of a 5-15 minute phone call I have to operate 14 pieces of software. Not only are half of them useless they are just repetitive. I have to not only take their name, address, phone number, I must put that information into at least three of teh fourteen different pieces of software while helping the customer with their problem.
Ninety percent of the time the customers problem is not on their end, it's normally something to do with our system or the equipment they rent from us (modem). After I input all their information I have to wait for the system to run a diagnostic on their connection and then read through the encrypted test results to try and understand what it all means. Once we have done that we troubleshoot whether it's because of us or something they have. Like i said, most of the time it's a problem with our equipment. Now I have to use other pieces of software to fix the problem which can take anywhere from 5 - 30 minutes because the systems are too slow. Then of course once we are done fixing the problem we have to thank them for using our company, even though i don't normally mean it, I mean, if the problem was with us, now the customer has waited so long to get through to myself, then had to wait on the phone while the problem gets fixed. And if i can't fix their problem I have to send a technician out, which I have rarely been able to book same day, most of the time it's nearly a month away before the technician can get there.
While I'm still on the phone i have to complete every piece of software I have open before the customer hangs up, because as soon as the call ends, i get another call right away and if I don't have everything completed now I have to have the next customer wait as I finish everything up for the previous one.
Now of course, since we are running system built in 2001 (as says the sticker on the back of the machines) everything is slow and lots of times fails. This place is so retarded that we are supposed to keep taking phone calls even if we can't get a computer or the computer crashes. We will get in shit for 'work avoidance' if we don't take phone calls. I had to ask, "WTF am i supposed to help them with if i don't have a system!?" The stupid sweat shops response was, "Just be polite try to help them as much as you can, and if you can't, tell they our systems are down and to call back in approx 30 minutes." This is RETARDED. So now, not only am i lying to the customer, KARMA, I'm sure, will come into affect if I continue to lie to them. I brought this up to one of the higher ups and he said, "honestly, we don't pay you enough to care, just do what your told." WTF!?!?!?!?! Sure he makes a valid point, but they also gave me shit for not sounding empathetic on the phone, I'M NOT PAID ENOUGH TO CARE!
Now that our 2001 systems are unreliable we constantly need help from the 'team leads' and they are normally too busy? Well now that our systems don't work, don't worry, the hawks eye system does. If your 15 minute break last for 15 minutes and 30 seconds they will be there questioning you about it. Not only are they anal about break times, but they have standards for call times and hold times. If you have a customer on hold for more than a minute you will be penalized. While our systems continue to crash they still watch us like a hawk and expect everything to run smoothly!
Everything is so tedious and stupid, in my opinion, the place is a modern day sweat shop. All of these things must be done, and you are going non stop, all for MINIMUM WAGE. Just my thoughts on under managed call centers. This is the second call center i have had experience in, and this one is horrible, I'm sure there are worse ones, but really who wants to go into work everyday to a place like this, no wonder their turn around is so high. There are so many smalls thing they could do even just to bring up moral, but nope, they're too concentrated on running people dry and wearing them out!
Over the coarse of a 5-15 minute phone call I have to operate 14 pieces of software. Not only are half of them useless they are just repetitive. I have to not only take their name, address, phone number, I must put that information into at least three of teh fourteen different pieces of software while helping the customer with their problem.
Ninety percent of the time the customers problem is not on their end, it's normally something to do with our system or the equipment they rent from us (modem). After I input all their information I have to wait for the system to run a diagnostic on their connection and then read through the encrypted test results to try and understand what it all means. Once we have done that we troubleshoot whether it's because of us or something they have. Like i said, most of the time it's a problem with our equipment. Now I have to use other pieces of software to fix the problem which can take anywhere from 5 - 30 minutes because the systems are too slow. Then of course once we are done fixing the problem we have to thank them for using our company, even though i don't normally mean it, I mean, if the problem was with us, now the customer has waited so long to get through to myself, then had to wait on the phone while the problem gets fixed. And if i can't fix their problem I have to send a technician out, which I have rarely been able to book same day, most of the time it's nearly a month away before the technician can get there.
While I'm still on the phone i have to complete every piece of software I have open before the customer hangs up, because as soon as the call ends, i get another call right away and if I don't have everything completed now I have to have the next customer wait as I finish everything up for the previous one.
Now of course, since we are running system built in 2001 (as says the sticker on the back of the machines) everything is slow and lots of times fails. This place is so retarded that we are supposed to keep taking phone calls even if we can't get a computer or the computer crashes. We will get in shit for 'work avoidance' if we don't take phone calls. I had to ask, "WTF am i supposed to help them with if i don't have a system!?" The stupid sweat shops response was, "Just be polite try to help them as much as you can, and if you can't, tell they our systems are down and to call back in approx 30 minutes." This is RETARDED. So now, not only am i lying to the customer, KARMA, I'm sure, will come into affect if I continue to lie to them. I brought this up to one of the higher ups and he said, "honestly, we don't pay you enough to care, just do what your told." WTF!?!?!?!?! Sure he makes a valid point, but they also gave me shit for not sounding empathetic on the phone, I'M NOT PAID ENOUGH TO CARE!
Now that our 2001 systems are unreliable we constantly need help from the 'team leads' and they are normally too busy? Well now that our systems don't work, don't worry, the hawks eye system does. If your 15 minute break last for 15 minutes and 30 seconds they will be there questioning you about it. Not only are they anal about break times, but they have standards for call times and hold times. If you have a customer on hold for more than a minute you will be penalized. While our systems continue to crash they still watch us like a hawk and expect everything to run smoothly!
Everything is so tedious and stupid, in my opinion, the place is a modern day sweat shop. All of these things must be done, and you are going non stop, all for MINIMUM WAGE. Just my thoughts on under managed call centers. This is the second call center i have had experience in, and this one is horrible, I'm sure there are worse ones, but really who wants to go into work everyday to a place like this, no wonder their turn around is so high. There are so many smalls thing they could do even just to bring up moral, but nope, they're too concentrated on running people dry and wearing them out!
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