General / Off-Topic Travelling...

[Ralph Vargr]

I have a new job, that requires me to drive a triangle of about 400 miles/643 km, to *huge* industrial plants. Not the defense sector, or vehicles.

Two of them are in relatively rural locations, one in a heavily urbanized/industrial location. The latter is the *nice* plant.

To date, my poor car, which has served me well, suddenly started eating cash. About $600 so far, and climbing. It's a very reliable breed, resembling the Adder most closely. And, with almost the same visibility.

It's twelve years old, with 114,000 miles/180,000 km on it. Fairly low mileage, but aging components take their toll, regardless of mileage.

The worst aging component is me. I get tired more easily. I have arthritis.

It's almost as bad as Elite.

The gig is unique, in that they pay me for hours traveled, and full federal mileage rate. It's also unique in that I am limited to 120 hours of work time, including driving, every four weeks.

It *does* have limited benefits, and is a permanent, not temp, position. It beats being unemployed.

So, one finds oneself in the trip to the Near Pleiades, not even bothering to honk. Every hour spent driving is an hour I don't have time to fix things. They do not pay per diem, or for lodging.

Unlike Elite, the NPC's really *are* out to kill you. They will shove you into medians and shoulders. Most of the trips are on semi-rural highways, without limited interchanges, so they will pull out in front of you from both the sides, and center. while at least two griefer cars/trucks/semi's box you in. At 120 km/hr+.

The only country I've driven in Europe that is worse, is Italia. Remember the original "The Italian Job"?

So, I don't dare even *touch* the radio. So much for the new exploration mechanics.

Anybody see a connection, here? The grind is not just in my mind. It's in sheet metal, and blood.

Maybe the management of Frontier might note that grind heavy games are *not* what some people would like to play, after work...

 

[Winterwalker]

Which country are you driving in? (Sounds like it's a European one).

At least in Elite you get a choice - your own man so to speak - and can set up trade loops in adjacent systems if you pick your spot. Try Lave maybe?

My iEagle has a range of 3Ly and NEVER enters witchspace. I do move her sometimes but with ship transfer only because that keeps her from showing on the traffic reports. It's all very hush hush.

 

[Ralph Vargr]

Welcome to the New Great United States Of America.

They are using one person, to cover the jobs of three.

And, each job subsumes the duties of at least three full time jobs.

People young enough to be my grandchildren are turning down these jobs. Not worth their time.

No wonder we are so consumed by video games.

 

[Robin of Spiritwood]

If the job pays poorly, and endangers you, maybe it's time to reconsider?

I got a convenient post near the house, 5 minutes walk. But truly bad pay, so bad that the proprietors apologized. I gave them a trial day months ago and haven't been paid yet. They also employ Cubans, at slave wage.

But then a private outfit contacted me, with a vastly better job. It's 7 minutes by car, pays literally ten times more. And it has perks.

If you are good at what you do, talk to your contacts. Somebody who needs a reliable man will hire.

 

[Patrick_68000]

Welcome to the New Great United States Of America.

They are using one person, to cover the jobs of three.

And, each job subsumes the duties of at least three full time jobs.

People young enough to be my grandchildren are turning down these jobs. Not worth their time.

No wonder we are so consumed by video games.

The incubator homeland of Burn Out doubtless.

 

[[VR] optimal_909]

If you travel a lot, you may want to consider buying a civilian Crown Vic. Comfortable, robust, reliable - very-very underrated cars. The cilvilan version's frive ratio is quite long, so fuel economy is actually decent.
Otherwise, I feel for you. Perhaps you could enhance your trips with an audiobook, and you could do side trips. Especially if you have a gaming laptop, you may enjoy a bit of that liberty...

BTW apologies, but let me ask. As far as I remember you are a highly educated veteran pilot - it seems odd you have to take such a job...?

 

[askavir]

The only country I've driven in Europe that is worse, is Italia. Remember the original "The Italian Job"?

Due to my fascination with volcanoes I travel several times to Italy, mainly Naples which gives access to Mount Vesuvius and the Phlagrean Fields, and Sicily which is home to Mount Etna and is where we can board boats to the Aeolian Islands which are home to Vulcano and Stromboli. I can attest to what you're saying, driving in Italy is like being in the wild west, especially Naples which is savage (first time I drove there my balls have shrunk by 20%), when I return the renthal cars at the end of the journeys I always feel relieved

 

[Ralph Vargr]

If you travel a lot, you may want to consider buying a civilian Crown Vic. Comfortable, robust, reliable - very-very underrated cars. The cilvilan version's frive ratio is quite long, so fuel economy is actually decent.
Otherwise, I feel for you. Perhaps you could enhance your trips with an audiobook, and you could do side trips. Especially if you have a gaming laptop, you may enjoy a bit of that liberty...

BTW apologies, but let me ask. As far as I remember you are a highly educated veteran pilot - it seems odd you have to take such a job...?

You are not an engineer past age fifty, are you?

maybe get a laptop and a copy of American truck simulator.

GL

That does not pay the bills...

 

[Ralph Vargr]

If the job pays poorly, and endangers you, maybe it's time to reconsider?

I got a convenient post near the house, 5 minutes walk. But truly bad pay, so bad that the proprietors apologized. I gave them a trial day months ago and haven't been paid yet. They also employ Cubans, at slave wage.

But then a private outfit contacted me, with a vastly better job. It's 7 minutes by car, pays literally ten times more. And it has perks.

If you are good at what you do, talk to your contacts. Somebody who needs a reliable man will hire.

Sorry, Robin, it's the new reality if you're grossly overqualified.

I still have my own small business for honest men to hire me.

Unfortunately, this world spins on an Excel pivot table, not experience and wisdom.

 

[Jacques d'Orleans]

You are not an engineer past age fifty, are you?

Albeit I am not an engineer, I know what you're talking about. I was forced into early retirement - or Permanent Disability Retirement as it is called today - after 25 years at age 43 after a dislocated spine surgery went south.
I'm now doing a part time job as facility manager for two schools and a kindergarten (out of utter boredom, I have to admit) which also includes driving around in a triangle, but thank god just a few miles inside the city and not such distances as you have to.