Thanks Traversant.
Yesterday was a "little" frustrating. Not the beginning though. I started my day a little late. And apparently I was on the afternoon ticket to work at the base which started at 17:30. So I was told just come in early for noon or one.
It's been a little while since I did applications en mass. I actually didn't even get to ULM or Badlands or GoldSpur! Sanjel had emailed me a response back right away for the driver/operator position and had forwarded me the "real" application. So I completed apps for Sanjel, OMI Diversified, and 2 trucking companies going through Williston Job Services considering people with 0 experience.
Sent some supplemental stuff from my packet with them as well.
Between filling everything out, printing documents, and all that stuff, then mailing them at the Post Office.... it was 15:30! I thought no worries.... I'm on the evening work ticket. So I went to PowerFuels.
FINALLY!!! The manager and I were both there at the same time! I tried to sneak the app in my packet so he would look at everything.... nope. He just took out the company app and looked at that. I was curious I had all this information. He replied, "If there are any skeletons in your closet we'll find them in the background checks."
(Mr. T: I'm squeaky clean foo!)
I had led in with "no experience," "not the norm to hire such people," etc. He named several people they hired with none. Then these odd questions came... at least they seemed that way to me.
I forgot the second one, ironically it's the one he ended with, "I know. It's a dumb question." He was going to send my app to Watford City. Apparently he's only a gatekeeper.
They only do their hiring from Watford. That's what I learned from another post a while ago... it just seemed different when speaking with people in person.
So then I go to the mall and check my voice mail. I had sent an application to CR England. It's an OTR company I thought I might use to "get experience." They seemed all excited to bring me on. I explained my financial situation, as I had just missed the "free tuition" special. She said I only needed $50 for administrative fees!
Then we got into finer details. Apparently there was some confusion on my app. They thought my CDL was through MA not AK. I also said I was in ND right now with intentions of staying. She needed to speak with her director. As it turns out they don't have enough freight going through ND to make it a "home base." They don't do anything in Alaska either so I can't use that. I have to go back to Massachusetts... the place I left after ... many years. I could get on then after transferring my CDL there.
What the....
Well time to go to work. Started at the base a little after 17:30. For such a short distance it sure takes a long time to get there. Not to mention the speed limit on base is excessively slow... 15mph at the gate, 30 mph inside. I was partnered with an ex-special forces guy. I guess I have earned some trust and respect from the foreman through my work. The two of us were allowed to stay late.
I was excited. It would be nice to get stuff done. No people in the way. We could just plow through things. We kept a good pace and definitely put a dent in things. But it is amazing how much work is required to setup and furnish a room.... and how expensive it is for the Government.
It was a different experience. I met another special forces guy in Tony's Bar in Kodiak, AK. Both of them were very nice people. But I find it hard to relate to them. All they know is violence and killing. So I heard a lot of stories... records in killing, injuries sustained and given, all the schooling and training he went through. We got along... and I think respect each other. I can't really participate in a conversation like that. My experiences are the complete opposite. So I just listen. We shared our stories. Then he shared more death and violence. Then 2am arrived. We had unwrapped many dining room chairs, setup desk chairs, and moved a bunch of furniture around. Mission Successful.