reconsidering

 While I am doing what I thought I wanted to do, drive big vehicles, I have to wonder if I am not very good at it.

I had a charter out to MCminamins in Troudale. It’s an old Poor House that has been converted into a brewery/hotel/restaurant/spa and it is on very tight grounds.  I went there with a big bus in the summer and had a hell of a time driving into and out of there, in the DAYTIME and a relatively uncrowded parking lot.  Last night, it was damn dark and the lots were full, and I brushed up aganist a new car, unseen by me because of a spot light’s reflection in my passenger side mirror, and while I just brushed it with my bus – no damge to the bus – cars are made of plactic and I pretty much destroyed the car. I tried to find the owner, but with six or eight buildings on that site, I couldn’t and so left a note on the car – who I was, what bus I had, who I drive for, etc.  I had to wait four hours for my party, who all saw the accident, and was dreading the owner finding the car while I was there – but I did it, and I have to "own my mistakes".

It was damn cold out there in Troutdale, and I was less than happy with myself.  My party finally came back and I drove them back, dropped them off, fueled my bus, and went into the office to deal with it.  I had of course told them immeadiately, when it happened, and was writing out a letter to the boss (it was after midnight by then)when the manager of the pub/etc called and said it was an employee’s car and could they have the insurance info.  I took the call and provided the info, thinking, well, I’m not long for this job, and besides, maybe I’m just not a very good driver.

I am scheduled to do  charter today, the band for one of our private schools to a football game, and I haven’t been told otherwise yet, but I anticipate losing my job, and I guess I’m not unhappy about that.  The irregular hours, unpredictability, long, not necessarily paid for hours, and places I have to go with vehicles that at not sized right is geting to me.

And I’m thinking that I’m not a good enough big vehicle driver – I should let go of that and get a more regular job.  If I can, I guess.  One of the other driver’s wives works for Housing and he thinks I should talk to them about a job with Housing – regular hours.  I will.  I can’t do this job as well as I should, and it shouldn’t be my only job.  everyone else is retired and coming to this as a second career or income source, but it’s too unpredicable to be a man’s only source of income.  Besides, I’m single – everyone else has another income source, a wife or husband, and I’m making mistakes that cost the company.

Speaking of that, I have to go work.

 

*****

 

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December 3, 2011

so sorry to hear about this. i hope you don’t lose your job before you find another one. take care,

December 3, 2011

It might not be as bad as you think Cat. Things will work out. My mother says that ‘when one door closes another one (at least) will open’ and my old mum is never wrong …. only a brave person would tell my mother she was wrong! And she is not wrong. You’ll be fine I’m sure. Very best, A

December 3, 2011

Hang in there. THe company you drive for knows that you are a good dependable and creful driver. They are not about to lose you.

December 3, 2011

Oops ! Sorry about misspelling “careful”.

I’m sorry to hear that, Cat. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you that something better for you comes along. Light of heart,

oh, i’m so sorry to read this. i’m wondering if they’d consider having you only drive smaller vehicles.

December 3, 2011

aww, so sorry to hear about this. Things will work out, no matter what—cat’s always land on their feet.

December 3, 2011

there is just some places big vehicles shouldn’t even be

December 3, 2011

I’m thinking it’s a difficult job and that you are probably doing it as well as anyone would…. and that the company and their insurance company know that too. Hang in there, friend.

December 3, 2011

Thank you for the card and photo. Very nice and very thoughtful of you to remember me.

December 3, 2011

Sorry to hear about this. Don’t be too hard on yourself. I can see how it would be nerve-wracking to be driving a big bus. I even hated driving the Bronco and I had many misadventures…hooking a dumpster with one of the side mirrors and dragging the dumpster down the alley was only one of my screwups.

Oh crap! This is not good news. I’m sorry. You are sounding really down about it, understandably… Thing is, I’m sure that other drivers have had same happen to them. Insurance will cover costs etc. Your employer may require you to pay the insurance excess? It would be very harsh if they let you off. Let’s hope they don’t. Well, at least until you find another job you are happier with…

don’t kick yourself so much. Failure is when you don’t try remember?!!

December 3, 2011

I’m sorry to hear about the accident. I’m sure you’re doing as well as anyone could in that difficult situation!