Quoted By:
Got off the tug a year ago, this month.
Used to post in these threads, but have been avoiding them since I miss it.
In the last year, I went from $320/day to $26 as an apprentice, to $22/hr as a boat mechanic
>got into the Ironworkers union
>spent at least 2 hours a day in traffic
>went from 200 lb to 168lb
>did this for 6 months
>in chronic pain, unhappy, recognizing ironworking as a meat grinder, and watching my savings go down
>got offered a job boat dealership as a mechanic for $22/hr with a 2 mile commute
“Fuck it. Pay cut, but shorter commute, and I’ll be happy working on boats again.”
>have to spend probationary period training in the city, driving 2 hrs a day
>don’t see any promise of good pay or a career
Basically worked myself broke in the last year, between rent, bills, and gas. My old lady (who pressured me to get off tugs) has been buying groceries because I can’t afford it. Pow, right in the machismo.
I went from being able to pay all the rent bills, buy groceries, go out on dates, etc to a paycheck away from homelessness.
Weekly... for months, I think I’ve bitched to her about the financial stress, or ever seeing a stable financial future with my current route.
Made a couple calls today.... captains want me back.
