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I'm coming up on a decision..one of those life altering ones.

I'm getting ready to close the site I'm at now, we're down to the last six airframes so I have to decide whether I'm going on to the next site at Davis Monthan or I walk away from a six figure job..one that I don't work very hard at.

On the surface, would seem to be an easy decision. Winter in Tucson or New England? Keep making really good money or live on my retirement dollars (which are more than sufficient to cover my expenses)? Work the A-10 doing some interesting stuff or sit on my ass?

Fact is, I don't have to work. My only extravagances are my BMW which is paid for, a run to the casino from time to time and a low end patron of the arts. My mortgage is laughable but I won't pay it off because I've already paid all the interest and I make more keeping the money in a money market account. Kids are on their own though Dad's still good for an occasional big $$ loan. Of course, the word \"loan\" implies a pay-back at some point..hasn't happened yet.

I gave my boss a verbal last week that I wouldn't be staying beyond this site; he called me a \"snot sucking $hit bag\" to which I replied \"Hey, I don't suck snot\". Since it was only a verbal and he asked that I think about it some more, it's not a decision in stone.

So the survey question is this: Am I out of my freaking mind?

OC

I wish I had your problems. I do see your dilemma though. Are you under a contract at the job, or can you just up and say \"Fuck it\" if you feel like it?

I'd keep the job until it's no longer enjoyable. The first day you don't look forward to going in, eject-eject-eject.

OC, it's truely a difficult question to answer. I guess it all depends on what you find important in your life. I had a simular decision to make recently and decided to stay here in Georgia despite the fact that there is no need for an aircraft mechanic in the local area and what jobs are here pay considerable less money. However, the plus side is I work an 8 hr day... period.. if they ask me to work OT I simply say no, if they ask me to work on weekends I say no, and I have absolutly no repsonsibilites except for getting up and going to work.

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Faugh ah Ballaugh ~ Clear the Way

Hang in there Jack, it'll get better. Seems like not very many years ago there was always more month left at the end of the money..which, by the way, is one of my problems. I vividly remember those days and don't ever want to live them again.

In answer to your question, no, I'm employed \"at will\" so there's no contract. I can walk at any time but if I do that, I go home on my dime.

OC

I'm with Jack. As long as you are keeping your mind active, having some fun and still managing to draw down some serious cash, hang with it.

Personally, for that kind of scratch, I'd be willing to walk through hell and personally kick Satin in the ass. But then, I've been married to his sister for more than 20 years.

I'd guess the question you should really ask yourself there Chief, is what will you do with your time if you quit? Just hanging round the house will get old quick.

BTW: If you don't need the cash, I know of a couple of good charities you could donate to.

The Ice Pirate Benevolence Fund and Jack's Kids.

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Slow is Fast, Fast is Slow
Violence may not be the best option, but it IS an option

My dad sold his store and semi-retired about 2 1/2, 3 years ago. He took some well deserved time of doing absolutely nothing, but after a while it began to cause problems. Had nothing to and it really strained everyones relationship with him. Since then he's bounced around from a few different 3/4 time jobs (not quite part time not quite full time, just enough to keep him occupied) and things are getting better.

I'm oversimplifying things, there's alot of complicated background to that story I won't get into, but my point is you NEED something to do, even if you don't realize it.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Seriously. But the instant you don't feel like keeping this job, walk. Put down your shit, pick up your car keys, and walk the fuck outta there. No 2 weeks notice, no nothing. Like Scarface in Half Baked - "Fuck you, fuck you, fuck you, you're cool, and fuck you, I'm out!"

Thats a tough one Chief, (I had No Choice at the Plant they we're putting me out anyway) But I did have the choice In the USAF , I said
\"I'm doing it for the Family, the Girls are starting school etc...\" I'm leaving at my 11 year mark.

But the real reason besides all the \"BULL SHIT\" and the Politics ?

I was Burned Out, it wasn't fun anymore, What they said was \"Urgent\" I laughed at. Their was no \"Tanks coming, No CAS needed ASAP!, SAR, ICT's, Hot Pits, Red Balls on a \"Live Load\" .

It became \"Red Balls\" for \"Coffee pot not working\" No Box Nasty's, Comfort Pallet dirty, Fleet Service Didn't clean the \"Shitter out\", ARTS Bitching about the Active Duty, Active Duty Bitching about the ARTS, Then there was the \"Deployed in support of Desert Storm Group\" in Germany for 8 months coming home to $20,000 per diem checks

So I always said \"If I get Burned Out, Its time to Bail Out!\" it doesn't do anyone doing a job that is \"P.O.'ed\" about and always saying \"Big Whopp'dee Shit\" and \"WTFO\" or \"F-YOU!\" Get it yourself, \"Walk You lazy munch of \"Bastards\" You'll get the Run Sheet When \"I'M DONE\" , tell the Capitan \"I brief Her \"When I know WTF is going on so she can tell the Old Man at Stand-UP\"

So that was my standard, You know Your Lucky you have a choice Chief , alot of Folks don't But You earned it, enjoy being in the Drivers seat, Make them \"Sweat\"

You can always say \"WTF\" Why Not, or like they said before, just roll over in the bed when the alarm goes off and turn it off, pick-up the Phone and say \"Hello (Who Ever) and say its the \"Chief\" take this memo down please to my \"Bosses \"


FUCK-YOU!!!!!!!!

Go back to sleep. let them have your stapler, etc... you already \"acquired\" everything thing you need to Open your own Staples.

Good Luck

Goose

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\"Live Free Or Die\"

That really is a tough question, it is one of those things that you may just have to end up following your heart. If you truly don't need the money anymore and would just love the time to spend with the family i say go for it. You can't get younger so why put yourself through stress that is unnecessary.

As for the thoughts of retirement, i can't say that i wouldn't want too....but seeing how my birthday is in 2 days and i'm going to be 26...i would say i've got a long ways to go.

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\"I dream of a better tomorrow, where chickens can cross the road and not be questioned about their motives\"

Thanks for all your input, it's amazing how close your comments reflect my thinking.

I still haven't made a concrete decision though I'm leaning towards heading home..we'll see what the next couple of weeks bring.

OC

How about sit on your ass and be an A-10 consultant here!

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\"Those who hammer their guns into plows
will plow for those who do not.\"
- Thomas Jefferson

Where do I sign?

OC

Crap OC I wish I had your \"problem\". All I can say is do what your heart tells you.

Time for an update. After burning up my cell phone battery, I caved. Here I sit in the local Days Inn just outside the main gate at DM.

There's some loose ends here with aircraft belonging to units that have already been SLOS'd/BLOS'd and the team has moved on. Told the boss I'd clean them up and then cash it in. It's a good compromise for all concerned.

The up side is where we're working..the AMARC facility, which is smack dab in the middle of the bone yard. To get there, you drive through literally miles of mothballed aircraft. There's still a few BUFF's, some Bones, two lines of T-37's that seem to go forever as well as a gaggle of F-4's.
Lots of Navy stuff as well. Jayhawks, gobs of P-3's and S-3's and a lot of helos..guess the Hawg isn't the only thing getting beat up in this war.

Speaking of the Hawg, got to see what they're doing about the wing cracks. Two slots down from us they're doing the test repair. It's only a temp fix until the new wings are available but it looks like it will get a lot of Hawgs back in the air. The jet we're working right now has NO wings..sure makes it easy to get the B-4 stand into position though I do have to keep reminding my sheet metal guy not to jump off the top of the fuselage onto the wing..it's a long way down.

OC

Thanks for the update Chief. Sounds like you're keeping busy for the time being. There are times I really miss DM. Do you get up into the mountains on your weekends at all? I used to love climbing and rappeling up around Windy Vista, and backpacking up in the Wilderness of Rocks.

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Slow is Fast, Fast is Slow
Violence may not be the best option, but it IS an option