Don't think I could do it again

37chief · Jan 6, 2014

Dad stopped farming in the early 60's, and sold off most of his ground. To continue farming was out for me. I started working in a small factory, Joined the Navy, in 64 got out in 68. I was driving through a industrial area today. I could see people walking around during their lunch time. Then go back in to the mother building never to see light of day again until quitting time. I was the same way. I didn't go outside for lunch. I spent 8 1/2 hours inside. I did this for 36 years for one company. I had a good job doing machine repairing, and machining work. Like I said don't think I could do it again. That is why I like my mowing, and discing job in the spring. I don't make anything near what my factory paid, but I am happy doing it. Stan

Anonymous-0 · Jan 6, 2014

Stan, can't blame you, I wanna be in the fresh air, I wanna be free, I gotta be me, as the song says. I don't make much money, but man I have good times!

Texasmark1 · Jan 6, 2014

I too was 36 years with one company after 9 years in the uncle's employ. Really loved my work but at the end I was ready to go. Now 24/7 I am my own man, in the fresh air if I want, running my little retirement farm. Life is good. Payback time.

Mark

Allan in NE · Jan 6, 2014

I hear ya Stan,

Working for someone else has always been absolute he!! on earth for me.

Allan

donjr · Jan 6, 2014

Stan, I retired with 30 years with Ma Bell, and if I had known I could have pulled the pin earlier, I would have. And I've never looked back....

JayinNY · Jan 6, 2014

Sounds like my father,spent 33 years in GE Schenectady, he'd call us during the day and ask what it was doing outside, rain, sun snow ect, he never saw daylight were he worked in the building, I think he said the building was a 1/4 mile long. He would go out sometimes during lunch, I worked for a hvac company for a month and a half, after having worked on 2 horse farms, quit that place and never ever would work in a factory/shop again, and I'm still at the farm! Lol

730 virgil · Jan 6, 2014

i tried that factory bs i couldn"t do it.
somebody looking over my shoulder all the time then second guessing if they thought you did something wrong even if it was what you were told to do.
then you had the guy that had worked there forever(because they couldn"t do anything else) and wanted to tell everyone around them what you were doing wrong even if they didn"t have a clue.

cole in mo. · Jan 6, 2014

Same as yours, das sold the farm in 64, I got a job at a factory, working second shift, loved it. Worked on cars and trucks till time to go. Worked hi line, and hi way construction, it was days, but it was outside. My last 27 years was at a power plant, I had seniority, but stayed on the midnight shift. that way I had all day to put up my hay, help the neighbors do theirs, and run my shop fixing tractors. Retired in 07, don't miss the night job, but still do everthing else that I did.

Fawteen · Jan 6, 2014

I graduated HS in June of '68. I was 17. I worked at whatever I could get (stockboy type jobs) until I turned 18 in October, whereupon I immediately went to work for the Oldsmobile plant in Lansing, Michigan.

Night shift. Hood and Fender line running a punch press. 8-10 hours 6 days a week doing the same thing 60-odd times an hour.

Good money, but when my recruiter called and said he had an unexpected opening the following February, I was gone so fast I darn near left a sonic boom.

Never done piece-work since, don't expect to ever get that hungry.

RandyB(MI) · Jan 6, 2014

Well I did it just the opposite . I couldn't wait until I learned enough at local Auto body shop so I could go it on my own. At 24 I paid cash for a small shop and did just that and never looked back. Along around age 52 I had slowed down some and had no retirement so THEN went to work in the "factory" as paint shop supervisor for next ten yrs. Worst ten of my life both mentally and health ( breathing diesel exhaust/paint fog all day) but paid good and good 401K and a job I could keep even at my compromised speed. The inefficiency and politics of factory life are enough to drive a former business owner insane. Do what you like while you are young and do what you have to when you are old because all the money in the world won't buy back your youth. RB

nybadlybent · Jan 6, 2014

Spent 26 years in the classroom with students. It was a good job but when I retired I never looked back. That was 22 years ago and I have not worked for anyone since and never will.
If you think you had someone looking over your shoulder all the time just try teaching. It is the school supervisors, the parents, jealous teachers and those who think they could do your job better even though they weren't even able to teach their own children manners.
No, I could never do that again.

VicS · Jan 6, 2014

I just worked at a factory for less than a year. I had a good job working on Moline tractors.since 1963 it was 1968. I thought the dealership would close it did about 2 yrs later. Thats when I went to the factory that made car parts, waterpumps fuel pumps etc. The work wasn't to bad but your mind would go to sleep! They went on strike and got a job delivering LP Gas in winter and spraying and spreading fertilize in spring and summer. Liked it. Then was offered a job selling and delivering diesel and gas, for a independent. The more I sold the more I made. The only trouble with this job was they paid me to much and I couldn't quit! One thing I learned is if you want to sell a farmer (or anyone else) just stop and loaf once a week, not to long. They can't help it they will start buying from you. I tried to always carry oil grease etc on the truck. Finally worked up the courage and quit after 27 years. Bought a semi and trailer and hauled grain till last march. Finally retired and just help my son farm. Oh pull old tractors and ride horses. I tried to have fun every day.

37chief · Jan 6, 2014

About 2/3 of my factory time was nights.Either swing, or graveyard. Loved the days off, but missed out on a lot of sleep. That is when I started my mowing business the last 15 years on second shift. I had a real easy job.No one looking over my shoulder all the time. No bosses around, come quitting time they were gone, like the wind. stan

Spook · Jan 6, 2014

Spent about 35 years working in factories, tool & die, engineering. Spent way too much time in those plants. We had about 10 acres under roof, and we were one of GM's smaller plants. Factory work is a dying way of life, few factories, fewer workers, every single one I worked in has been closed.

showcrop · Jan 6, 2014

Working for someone else has always been he!! for whoever I worked for.

Old weldor · Jan 6, 2014

33 years at John Deere most of it under a welding helmet. The light at the end of the tunnel kept me goin. If that light had went out i would have been long gone!

NCWayne · Jan 6, 2014

As what appears to be the youngster of this conversation thus far I only spent around 12 years working inside and/or for others. The first 6 was aboard ship for the US Navy. Even though I was on a surface ship, I was in the engineering dept working down in the engine room. Because we were basically below the water line, and worked such long hours, there were times I wouldn't see daylight for weeks at a time.

Once I got out I got into fabrication and worked indoors so we always kept the doors open in the summer. I absolutely hated having them closed all day during the winter. From there I got into industrial maintenance, but the majority of that time was for a concrete company so most of my work was outside, which I loved.

Finally got into doing equipment repair full time around '98 to where I was working outside and for myself, and I loved it. Granted working for yourself has it's moments, but I wouldn't trade the freedom for anything. Several years back I was forced to go to work for someone else to make ends meet. Great company, great bunch of guys, but as hard as I tried, deep down I absolutely hated having to work for someone else. What made matters worse was to have to stand there and watch mistake after mistake being made by management and others, many of which made my job harder, and keep my mouth shut because it wasn't my place to say anything. Ultimately I discovered exactly why I enjoy working for, and by myself so much, and am glad to be back at it once again.

Hay hay hay · Jan 6, 2014

Jay, Where in NY? what kind of horses?

T in NE · Jan 6, 2014

I worked for a fly-by-night contractor for a few months then went to work in a warehouse when I was 20. At the time city life was OK, but I never could see myself being there for very long. Then I went and ran dozer for dad one weekend and my arms burnt, it was the first time since elementary school. Went to driving truck, first three years were good, the last 5 years I was stuck on the east coast. Worst 5 years I could ever imagine.
Between those 2 driving jobs I talked to some harvesters, but it was a dry year and they said it wouldn't be worth my drive. I should have treated the second job as a temp and put applications in with harvesters for the next spring.
Been 4 years out of trucking, and 3 1/2 back in farming, could make another 15-20,000 a year trucking, but it's not worth the headache of dealing with the general public and dispatchers. And after the severe burn-out of running the east coast for 5 years, I'm finally starting to get to where I like to hop in the old Dodge and go for a ride now and then.

Dan T in MO · Jan 7, 2014

I taught school for close to 20 years. I used to hate being cooped up on a beautiful Spring day. My classroom had windows, but that was torture being able to look out and see.

Yesterday and today, I started regretting my decision to get out of teaching. While I was bundling up to tend to the hogs, I knew all my teacher colleagues had another day off and were snug in bed or enjoying a leisurely cup of coffee.

Thanks for reminding me of one more reason I wouldn't go back.

sms · Jan 7, 2014

I have a degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Clarkson U worked at it for less then 2 years in a 10x10 cubicle never saw the light of day couldn't stand it quit they offered more money said NO. I have been building houses and commercial buildings for close to 30 years and on the coldest or hottest days still do not regret that decision.

WalJohn · Jan 7, 2014

(quoted from post at 19:48:38 01/06/14) Stan, I retired with 30 years with Ma Bell, and if I had known I could have pulled the pin earlier, I would have. And I've never looked back....

I went 34 years with C&P/Bell Atlantic/ Verizon. Mostly in the Washington Suburban, Northern Virginia areas.

JayinNY · Jan 7, 2014

Eastern NY, we raised thoroughbreds. About 35 miles from Saratoga. They had stallions, mares ect, and foaled about 120 foals a year. The place I'm still at only had a few mares left.

Hay hay hay · Jan 7, 2014

I lived in both Glens Falls and Delmar (outside Albany) many years ago. Love the area. Used to go to the races at Saratoga every year. Now I train mostly at Keeneland.

Daughter went to Williams College in Williamstown, Ma. so we spent several years driving thru the area while she was on campus.

Retired now, I breed, own and train a few of my own race horses. Won one last week, cheap claimer,(2 yr old filly broke maiden at Turfway Park) New Years Eve...4 hours before she became a 3 year old.

Which farm are you on? I have been to many over the years. I thought NY farms were bouncing back...with the incentives?

Edd

JayinNY · Jan 7, 2014

It was Highcliff farm until it closed in 2012 after the owner died, I still cut the grass there, but all the horses are gone. The wife of the owner kept 1 stallion named Cosmonaut . I miss being able to work there. Good luck to you.

Don't think I could do it again

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