IronMike 0 #1 February 5, 2003 I am thinking about changing jobs. I would be a sales rep for aircraft parts in Northern Cal and Nevada. I would get 50K base, company car and commission (est 40K). It would involve being on the road 3-4 days a week but I set my own schedule. I can continue to live in So Cal. I worked for this company for 5 years about 7 years ago and love it. I left because it used to be owned by American Airlines and, when they sold it, I didn't want to be stuck in Memphis with no free airline tickets to get out. (My girlfriend at the time lived in Dallas and I basically commuted for free). Problem is, I have a good job now. Railroad Manager. Incredibally stable, only work 3-4 days a week and same money. (set hours and schedule) I hate my job now though. I am in charge of 40 poeple I have no control over, work nights, weekends, holidays. It is high stress but it is a great means to an end (skydiving) Pros of Sales Job: Set my own schedule Im a good salesman I get to wine and dine for a living No employees/subordinates to deal with No more working nights, weekends, holidays Live wherever in Cal or Nevada I want No Random Drug Testing I love aviation Small Company Pack my rig and plan my trips to visit every DZ in Cal & Nevada On expenses while Im on the road Cons of Sales Job: Volitile/Unstable industry I HATE driving and have a road rage problem I don't like hotels Retirement plan not as good They can change my commission structure Pros of Railroad: Extremely Stable Great opportunity to be promoted to high levels and make tons. Easy to be promoted Great retirement No Social Security tax Home every day Union Seniority to fall back on Cons of railroad: High stress Backwards thinking Random Drug testing The higher you get promoted, the worse they treat you and the less time off you have. Basically, anything above me is on call 24/7. Working holidays, nights, weekends Dealing with idiots for 12 hours a day Money being the same (it is close) what would you do? This is the biggest decision of my life so far...... Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Zeemax 0 #2 February 5, 2003 new job. Change is good Phoenix Fly - High performance wingsuits for skydiving and BASE Performance Designs - Simply brilliant canopies Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #3 February 5, 2003 >Basically, anything above me is on call 24/7. >Dealing with idiots for 12 hours a day Sounds like the majority of IT jobs out there and we deal with it Just an FYI you did see American Airlines asked to cut 2-4 billion from its budget next year right? All its unions are being asked to take at least a 300 mil cut. Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IronMike 0 #4 February 5, 2003 QuoteJust an FYI you did see American Airlines asked to cut 2-4 billion from its budget next year right? All its unions are being asked to take at least a 300 mil cut. This company, since being sold by AMR 6 yrs ago, has tripled in sales....Wonder why AMR is going bankrupt?????? Keep the money bleeding unit and sell the profitable ones. I get non-rev passes on Delta and American right now so I could care less who I work for...... Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jfields 0 #5 February 5, 2003 Mike, A couple of sincere questions. Not trying to bust on you... QuoteNo Random Drug Testing Is this a major issue? Is that inhibiting some aspect of your lifestyle that you'd like to explore? Or is it just the nuisance factor? QuoteI HATE driving and have a road rage problem This sounds like as much of a downfall with the new job as you have with the current one. Looking at pretty much everything on your list of pros for each job, it basically boils down to stability vs. flexibility. You worked at the potential new place before, but left because things changed. If you switched now, there is nothing saying things couldn't change again. Are you willing to take that gamble? The other thing to think about is that these two jobs are not the only possibilities. If you are patient, you could take the important pros of both jobs, and try to find something that had most of them, without the major drawbacks. Personally, I would stay put, but that is because of my life situation. Yours is probably different, and you didn't expound on that in your scenario. I have a wife and baby girl to support, so I am not willing to risk changing jobs right now. If you couldn't live on the base salary alone, don't take the job. The commissions are probable, but not guaranteed. Take that info consideration when evaluating salary risk. Whichever you choose, good luck! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhillyKev 0 #6 February 5, 2003 Depends...do you have to know how to spell dilemma for the job? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IronMike 0 #7 February 5, 2003 QuoteIs this a major issue? Is that inhibiting some aspect of your lifestyle that you'd like to explore? Or is it just the nuisance factor? I just hate holding my breath or leaving every time someone fires up a joint. All the railroaders say we are going to smoke a bowl the day we retire.....Lets just say I'd prefer the option the next time someone passes one to me. It should be legal anyway. Im single and have no bills and a great savings....I can live on McDonalds wages if I had to.... Mike Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jfields 0 #8 February 5, 2003 QuoteLets just say I'd prefer the option the next time someone passes one to me.... Im single and have no bills and a great savings....I can live on McDonalds wages if I had to.... Well, it sounds like you need to weigh your dislike of driving against the benefits. Be thankful you have the freedom to make the choice without worrying about family obligation. That makes it a lot easier. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rhino 0 #9 February 5, 2003 Man life is too short... One thing I have allways been good at is changing things if I am not happy.. Don't get stagnent.. If you are unhappy with your current job, and the new one will expand your contacts and get you out and about.. Go for it.. What it really sounds like is you are asking yourself if YOU can do it. Maybe not having the confidence in yourself that you wish you had because you have become complacent in your current job.. I say you can do it.. Take a chance and make the change... Rhino Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mattb 0 #10 February 5, 2003 Quote Just an FYI you did see American Airlines asked to cut 2-4 billion from its budget next year right? All its unions are being asked to take at least a 300 mil cut. Railroad unions are a whole different catagory of union - possibly more protected than government jobs. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
falxori 0 #11 February 5, 2003 must admit that i haven't read all of you post nor the comments. Quote I hate my job now though. thats enough for me to decide. go for the new one and good luck O "Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #12 February 5, 2003 Quote I can live on McDonalds wages if I had to.... You know the dz store is hiring, dontcha Mike? Paid travel (there's lots of dz's in that territory), in an industry you love and the money's livable with a chance of becoming very livable... if that were my choice I'd take the new job. They wouldn't happen to need more than one person, would they? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wmw999 2,517 #13 February 5, 2003 Take the job. No job is perfect, and you should enjoy what you do 8 hours a day. You can plan when you do your driving to avoid road rage a lot of the time, and probably choose your vehicle also. You're maxed out where you are, and you don't particularly like it, and you like the other internal options there even less. And if the new job doesn't work out, you can still change again. Wendy W.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fudd 0 #14 February 5, 2003 Take the job. Going to work every day, and hating it is no good. Go for whatever makes you happy... There are only 10 types of people in the world. Those who understand binary, and those who don't. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #15 February 5, 2003 Sales! You liked working for them before, and the benefit of sales is you reap what you sow! Sales is cool! Go watch "Glengarry Glenross" and sell, sell, sell~~! So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Michele 1 #16 February 5, 2003 Quote Go watch "Glengarry Glenross" and sell, sell, sell~~! (as shivers run up my spine....) I don't sell. I matchmake. I am a house yenta. Ciels- Michele ~Do Angels keep the dreams we seek While our hearts lie bleeding?~ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VivaHeadDown 0 #17 February 5, 2003 Be a Loader! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VectorBoy 0 #18 February 6, 2003 No don't leave us, what will shotgun do without you. Honestly selling parts in the aircraft business is NOT aviation, I think you know this. And like someone posted before railroad careers are better than gobment jobs. You are at the age now where your retirement bucks are really kick'n ass in a field that pays that benifit properly not justs promiss's to. Unless you are going to get some big inheritance I say build your future where you are doing it now, loaf later. You have long days off, and you are single so you can visit any DZ ( even outside Nevada) that you want too. You know better than I how this other business is topsytervy at its best. There is something to not really liking what you do and hating your co-workers is it that bad? Its your decision but I think and others that know you personnally will say you got a good lifestyle and some good friends too. glen Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
