O/T Add me to the list of unemployed.

Yea I know they own ya. I worked as track worker. Small shortline where 7 miles of track was laid by hand. 10-12 hour days. All weather conditions. On call 24-7. It's hard work. Loved every min. of it till we got laid off. Now onto the next railroad.

If railroads stop, America stops!

 

Wouldn't it be wicked if a bunch of those unemployed fabricators from all over organized?

Every location would have 4 or 5 guys in their own company, all incorporated under one Nationwide corporation!

Add a website with samples, and all folks would have to do would be to request a quote via the site (or call one of those fancy 800 numbers that routes you to your nearest location like AAA has), and the Mad Fabricators in your area would bid the job out!

Just an idea. Good, bad, whatever... it was free.

If it was run as a non-profit, EVERYONE would have to be paid their cut out of the total profits. And there'd probably even be enough guys to get group insurance.

~Jason

 

My saw is an Echo 650 EVL model; got it from a farm sale because I was tired of typical newer McCulloch, Poulan, etc; this is an older saw definitely better made than them throwaways. I had JUST taken off a 16" bar and replaced it with a 20. (they showed it would take up to a 27", but the 20 was as big as they had in stock) made 3 or 4 cuts thru the trunk that was still across my driveway (my cousin came over the previous week end to help me down it with one of those Poulan "wild thing" saws, my 16 incher was not long enuf to get thru it; the tree was ~30" diameter, his did, but was way underpowered and tempermental, had a fight keeping it running. Mine was only the 2nd time it was ever used but I think he threw it away shortly after.
As far as how I got hurt, I was cutting the stump down, I had to get it to < 8" from the ground for the stump grinder that I had ordered from the local rental yard for the upcoming weekend. (meaning I only had to cut, another 4-6" off of what was left in the ground. I "cut around" the stump (cutting horizontally) and with only a very short ways to go til it was done, the damn thing decided to kick back. I had the whole bar engaged within the stump, not just the tip; I dunno whether I "cork screwed" it, thereby putting the tip in a bind, or what. (I had "one spot" where I had to use the top of the bar, that's when it bit me.) I just used that saw for the 1st time since I got hurt, while my teenage son was off on Christmas break. My Mom had a tree uproot and fall across the driveway. I actually thought I'd be more jittery/scared, than I was. I did not know if it would even run as it still had the leftover gas in it from the day I got hurt (9 26 07) but it did. I did find that I was "catching myself", while "limbing" it, speeding up like the guy on TV with the Ginsu knives (or so it seemed; maybe it was just an over reaction, due to what that saw did to me the last time I had used it) and forcing myself to slow down with it.

That said sorry for the thread jack from people being outta work; it does kinda relate as that is WHY I am outta work; back to our regularly scheduled post. Can u forgive the newbie to the forum for the "jack"?

 

Again, stayed awake all night praying for all of us without jobs or insurance! I'd like to see that 'change' that was being talked about during election happen real soon. I think that bailing out the big industries is wrong. They have so much $$ already, and besides, why keep them in business when we can't afford to buy anything because we have no $$. The rich just get richer! And in Michigan, the welfare! People having more kids to get more welfare! I never had kids, but I can't get any help BECAUSE I don't have kids! Again, may God help all of us!

 

I was laid off the same day, what a coincidence. 10 years of promises and then nothing.

The "laid off" count on this thread so far is roughly 37...Good luck!

 

Love my old carpel tunnel maker 630 MAC, got a 610 too. Picked up a Stihl 064T the other year and am Amazed at it's power with the 33" on it. Wicked fast with the 20 on. Have a handful of old Homelite 32cc 12"ers I pick up cheap and keep caniblizing for climbing work. Gotta respect your tools. My dad sliced his knee half off with a kickback over reaction. I'll Never forget having to drive him to the hospital at 11yo over all the fear of the injury, pretty inexperienced at driving and insane adrenaline! Pretty scary day... I never want to repeat that or even see it again.

 

Anyone in the south Puget Sound area: I do know one company that hires people with good mechanical skills. Must be able to perform a wastewater test (YOUR wastewater) and pass before even being considered. This isn't a guarantee, just an opportunity if you're interested. And just like everywhere else, this could dry up too...

PM me and I'll pass on the info for ya!!

(chainsaws should be better regulated than four wheelers: they kill much quicker and easier...I gotta get off this safety rant)

 

Damn now Chrysler is gonna be laid off another week they put the date back to 1/26 i'm getting bored out my brains here!!

 

Hate to step on this chainsaw thread, but the local tv news just mentioned the census bureau is hiring a bunch of people for the new census. $10-up an hour, but of course, it's temp. with no bennys, but.........

 

I fell for all you HAMBs,Yes I to was layed off last month,One of 1500 in nascar in 2008 and it looks bleek trying to get another job.so keep the chin up the USAis still the best place in the world to live.
The kiwicowboy..

 

went through this myself and i just thanked God for my family's sake that i had kept all my stuff and was able to turn stuff into cash for bills. i just put stuff into perspective and decided in what order things went. now im broke but still have my 56 ford and wifes 55 f100. what we did to is we all got together in the town and traded labor for a while so sevices didn't kill us. try it. vaya con Dios

 

Thank you for the support guys, this is the average attitude here these days. Its a far cry from what this country was founded on and forged by our soldiers.
Mateship and compassion.

I feel it is wrong for me to take anyones money, its not a pride thing, its moral. You guys have a hard enough time without supporting my ass too. I have been hitting the job trail pretty hard and do have some leads. I don't know if they will pan out but its all worth a try.
As of today, I have accommodation for one month. I think my soon to be ex-house mate took pity on me there as he was going to leave at the end of next week, leaving me out on my arse.
Thanks again guys, the support realy helps.
Doc.

 

Doc, that's what friends are for. We can help each other thru these hard times and then look back someday and be glad when it is behind us.

 

Paul, you are without doubt one of the greats of the HAMB. Thank you so much.
Doc.

 

[ A global game of King of the Mountain, knock off who is on top.Just another $.02.[/quote]

"YOU CAN'T MAKE THE LITTLE PEOPLE BIGGER BY CUTTING THE LEGS OFF THE GIANT" ....Abraham Lincoln

 

That is what friends are for. Well said. The offer still stands Doc if you need it.

 

It's not pride, it's moral? Bullcrap, if you were at the top of the pile, would you reach back and help someone up? Damn right you would, THAT is what "mateship" is all about, mate.

 

I know how you guys feel I have been laid off many times in my life. Changed careers 4 times so far draftsman, machinist, auto body , industrial maintenance. I have been back to school many times to get retrained. Look at this as an opportunity to start over, look into getting a government grant or loan to go back to school. All you guys are skilled look at the cars you build the tools you own use them to do side jobs, start your own business. The people on this website are so talented it makes me try harder to get to your level of skill and knowledge. I'am 54 years old and looking at starting my own business the opportunities are endless

 

Australia has one of the most generous social welfare systems in the world. People who work and pay taxes pay for it, same as anywhere else.

These philosophical choices were made by a generation that earned that freedom of choice like my GRANDFATHER and 4 of his brothers that never came back.

In the present day, Australia's economy is not even 10% as screwed as the USA (......YET!), and we are seeing NOTHING like the lay-offs you poor guys are suffering in the states, and I pity you all!

If Doc NEEDS a job IN AUSTRALIA (there are still quite a few - spend 20 mins on SEEK.com.au Also, the Aussie government PAYS medical professionals to come from other countries due to the MASSIVE SHORTFALL in labour for the medical field), I have some contacts with executives in large JAPANESE multinationals that operate in Australia...how do you think he will go in the interview????

 

Like I said idiot, READ THE WHOLE THREAD.
How don't you understand limitations that injuries have in employment?
I have mentioned it.
Have you many nursing contacts in Queensland too? If you did you would know that a few months ago Queensland Health reduced the number of agency nurses they are employing, in fact they will only use us now in 'emergency fill ins', ie when there is no other choice at all.
I am one of a LOT of people now in this situation.
Yes they pay for medical professionals to come here, even in Queensland. The problem is they are looking for REGISTERED Nurses, I am only an Enrolled Nurse. Not much call for us. I have even mentioned that in this thread.
Even in rural areas, I have been looking out there too as it is almost impossible to get younger people out there. There is still no positions for an EN.
You have an answer for everything, the problem is you are working with assumptions and a simple lack of knowledge.

I thank your Grandfather and his brothers for their service and sacrifice for this country, I am ashamed that the linage of such great people can lead to fools like you. But then again, I guess no one in my family ever served the country either? Maybe if you read the whole thread you would know if that is true?
I remember my grandfather who raised me after my father was killed in the service waking up screaming in the night because of what the Japanese did to him while being their prisoner.
But you wouldn't know or care about that, the Japs are your benevolent benefactors aren't they.
Doc.

 

My dad just became redundant (6 months before retirement, but with 47 weeks of unused holidays racked up).

He went to the CES (employment service)...their first question?

"Are you willing to be retrained?"

They even pay for your course....OPPORTUNITY.

WHO exactly classes you as "Permanently...Incapacitated"?

WHO is paying for your "twice weekly" lawyer?????

Have you ever worked in a telephone call centre? ZERO physical effort.
I've done it for a while....it SUX...but they pay a wage!

So do you want me to get you an interview at that Japanese company or not?????? I work for an American company....I DON'T NEED the Japanese benefaction...Im offering it to you since you have come on here and expressed the utterly desperate situation that you are in!

My Grandfather came back from the war...his 4 bros didnt...and yes....he also screamed in the night at the horrors he saw....and DID!

He was VERY happy with how I turned out!

And my grandmother was VERY well looked after by Aussie VA after he passed away.....SIXTY YEARS after he served.....so PLEASE don't bad mouth MY government to Overseas spectators with JUST your stories.

And please....name-calling on the internet is as tough as New Kids On the Block!

Answer away!

 

Well- Im always open to taking applications for guys (or girls) who are good at fabricating and bodywork/paint. You never know when I may need to add someone on or change the scope of my shop to include someone else.... The only downside guys seem to see is that you would need to live near Boston- which can get expensive.

Hope this helps

 

Mark and Doc..you two need to kiss and make up..if you want to keep pushing at each other do it with the PM's

think about the other HAMBers who may need this thread to sound off..it will not be here for them if you two keep pushing each other around on here..

now dont you 2 start with me ok..im just letting you know how fragile this thread is on here..and you have your points..but keep it civil and play nice..or go to your prospective corners and knock each other out privately...ok?

Doc. my offers still stand and my compassion for your situation has not changed

 

I had gone back to work in 1981 after a recovery from a serious injury and was still on some pain killers, prescription of course. I was hired under some "hire a gimp" program to get people back into the local work force. I had a couple of restrictions on what I could do, which they were ok with.

I did take a pee test, but that was to screen for diabetes only. My doctor disclosed what I was taking for medication. That took about 6 weeks to clear up and I did agree to stop taking the pain killers and was weaned off them in that time.

I suppose it depends on what you are doing at work and this was a military sub contractor, so they had zero tolerance for that. But I do wonder what people are on sometimes. if you keep it mum and are already a member of the staff, you could be popping almost everything from Prozac to crack.

Bob

 

Ok, so does this mean you now believe in my situation?
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
Your father was made redundant, yup it’s nowhere near as bad here but its well on its way.
Again had you read this thread you would have understood my situation with VA and Centre link (CES here in Qld). I will re cap it for you as it edges in on another of your questions.
Centre link wont help me because I am TPI, they say that as being such I am the responsibility of VA. VA took my pension off of me and has slugged me with a second $10,000 debt recently.
The last one I payed off, this one I was paying off until my money ran out even know I don’t owe them as I have not received a cent from them in years, since before I was told I had the first debt. This is in the lawyer’s hands (I will get to that too) I will hopefully be returned what I have paid so far.
<o></o>
Now TPI, that is a Government Classification. To be classed as such (Against my wishes, I WANT to work) I had to see three doctors, a Veterans Affairs doctor, a Government appointed Spinal and Neuro surgeon and my own doctor and they all had to find me incapable of effectively working. They did so the government has classed me TPI.
Had they not done this I would now be Senior Custodian to the Shrine of Remembrance, that is managing and running the facility.
Read back in this thread for a list of my injuries, add to that PTSD, I get to enjoy nightmares too.
<o></o>
Now your Grandfather was taken care of by VA, however it took more than 20 years post WWII for any of that to happen. It also took a great number of people fighting the government for their entitlements to run so smoothly. What you saw was the end of a long struggle for them.
Even today many Viet Nam vets are fighting VA for their entitlements.
I wish I were a rare example of a vet that fell through the cracks. I am not, there are many others like me in the system. Next ANZAC day watch for people wearing orange ribbons. It is a protest against VAs treatment of us younger guys. Even do some web searches and you will find an incredible amount of dissatisfaction with VA.
My car that you so desperately wanted to see? I sold that to fund my best mates wife’s fight against VA, he was in my patrol and died while serving in fact I was the patrol medic, he died in my arms. Try to deal with that alone.
Now VA wont pay his family their entitlements, he isn’t even eligible for a service medal for the country he died in as he was not ‘in country’ long enough to qualify for it hence the reason they wont pay as they too say he was not there long enough to qualify for the full benefit. You know, that’s what mates do for mates and their families. Your mates come before everything, you will not understand the bond between fighting soldiers but I don’t expect you to nor hold it against you.
VA is not a benevolent organisation, they are uncaring, do not employ ex service people so really have not concept of what we do and above all are trying to cut outgoing money. They do so by not paying us veterans. I recall the last time I talked to an Australian in VA, that was 4 years ago.
<o></o>
Then, who is paying for my lawyer? No one, its that simple. I go through Darcy’s Lawyers; their sole business is fighting VA on service people’s behalf. Yes it is bad enough that an entire law firm can be sustained by only taking on VA issues. This must show you that VA is not a good organisation.
As they understand the situation most of us are in they work pro-bono, you do know what that means I hope? So I will only ever pay out a maximum of 7% of any settlement I get and this will be my ONLY payout, if we don’t win they don’t get paid.
Unfortunately my mates did not know of Darcy’s when she started the fight so she is paying the firm she uses as she goes, hence what little support I could give her.
<o></o>
I am open to any employment opportunity I can find. In fact today I have applied for a government grant to be re trained. I have also applied for two scholarships through Queensland Universities and Tafe so I can re train.
I have applied for traineeships through Ergon Energy, Queensland Ambulance Service, and mature age apprenticeships.
I have joined three job search agencies, one of which will pay for some re-training after you have been with them for three months.
Had you read about my situation you would know what physical disabilities I am dealing with. Even know there is no way I would turn down a job answering phones I still need to be able to leave my workspace every 15 or so minutes to move around otherwise my back cramps.
The hospitals I have worked for understood these limitations and were good enough to still utilise me.
I do have to be selective in what job I apply for and inevitably take. Me taking a position that I will not be able to fulfil my duties in, is an inconvenience to the company and also to someone else that could have taken the job without such problems. That is a reputation I do not want.
Since leaving the Army and loosing my pension I have worked in a panel shop, taught first aid, driven dead bodies around for the state coroner, done racetrack medical response at Sandown and Phillip Island racetracks and worked in nursing.
I am willing to do what I can.
<o></o>
Should you feel fit to line me up with a job interview I will attend. My personal politics has little bearing on my work ethic. If I take a job I do my very best regardless of whom I work for or what I do. You called me a bigot, maybe but I am far from a stupid one.
<o></o>
And finally I restrained myself in what I wished to call you here. Had we meet in person I would not had such restraints, I have a strong enough character to back up what I say in person. I learned that in the greatest fighting unit in the world.
Doc.

 

PS, keep the questions coming. I have not been idle, I feel confident that I have most bases covered so far.
Sorry, I was writing the above while you posted VonRigFink. I will be happy to answer anything else Mark, pm me.
Doc.

 

...sounds like the VA is the same no matter where you go. Just last year in the U.S. they finally recognized Agent Orange as a debilitating injury for Vietnam vets.

Too bad my father in law died from it eight years ago...

 

You guys in N.E. Ohio looking for mechanic's jobs there aqre two listed for the State of Ohio at the Ohiojobs website.

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%" align=center summary="This table displays a list of available jobs." border=0><TBODY><TR><FORM name=frmSort action=http://agency.governmentjobs.com/ohio/default.cfm?&promotionaljobs=0&transfer=0 method=post><INPUT type=hidden value=-1 name=CategoryID> <INPUT type=hidden value=0 name=SearchIn> <INPUT type=hidden name=find_keyword> <INPUT type=hidden value=-1 name=MetroID> <INPUT type=hidden value=-1 name=minSalary> <INPUT type=hidden value=-1 name=DaysAdvertised> <TH class=currentstyle scope=col width="30%"> Position <INPUT type=image height=13 alt="Sort Descending" width=13 src="http://agency.governmentjobs.com/images/sort_down.gif" border=0 name=btnSortTitleASC> </TH><TH class=currentstyle scope=col width="20%"> Agency <INPUT type=image height=13 alt="Sort Descending" width=13 src="http://agency.governmentjobs.com/images/sort_down.gif" border=0 name=btnSortDepartmentASC> </TH><TH class=currentstyle scope=col width="15%"> Emp. Type </TH><TH class=currentstyle scope=col width="20%"> Salary <INPUT type=image height=13 alt="Sort Descending" width=13 src="http://agency.governmentjobs.com/images/sort_down.gif" border=0 name=btnSortSalaryASC> </TH><TH class=currentstyle scope=col width="15%"> Closing Date <INPUT type=image height=13 alt="Sort Descending" width=13 src="http://agency.governmentjobs.com/images/sort_down.gif" border=0 name=btnSortDateASC> </TH></FORM></TR><TR><TD class=jobtitle>Automotive Mechanic 2 </TD><TD class=jobtitle>Transportation - District 12</TD><TD class=jobtitle> Full-Time, Permanent, Bargaining-Unit</TD><TD class=jobtitle noWrap> $16.09/Hour </TD><TD class=jobtitlelast> 01/21/09</TD></TR><TR><TD class=jobtitle>Automotive Mechanic 2 </TD><TD class=jobtitle>Transportation - District 12</TD><TD class=jobtitle> Full-Time, Permanent, Bargaining-Unit</TD><TD class=jobtitle noWrap> $16.09/Hour </TD><TD class=jobtitlelast> 01/21</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

http://agency.governmentjobs.com/ohio/default.cfm

I Just spent 5 hrs on the net searching for a job.

Iam looking for designer/draftsmen mechanical 3-D CAD

 

Retail is shrinking fast--I'm a vendor at Home Depot--2 months ago got my hours cut to 32 from 40--today got cut to 12 hours a week---lost all benefits--Time for a new carreer if I can find one--also have two rods for sale--food comes before cars

 

Today in Kroger's there was a line of people waiting at the Coin Star machine....waiting with jars of pennies, nickles, dimes...it is a damn shame.