Leaving AM General...

[astroracer]

Well, after 6 years at the General it is time to move on. Haven't gotten a raise in 5 years and working 40 hrs the past two years has drained my savings to zip. I'll be heading back into GM the 18th of this month. Working in advanced chassis and hopefully getting a bit of O.T. so I can get caught up. Wish me luck! I will be checking into what it takes to get into the showcar stuff... THAT would be excellant!
Mark

[MIKE67]

Hope the new job works out. Keep working on the van. You are getting close to getting on the road.

[astroracer]

Thanks Larry, I worked in Advanced Chassis before I left in '04. I sure will be glad to get back into Chassis Design! Am General was okay but there wasn't a lot of real hard design work to be done.
I hope to have more time to put on the van after I get back to the Tech Center. Part of the reason I am leaving AMG is they took away our flex time. I drive 65 miles one way and, working 7:30 to 4:15 just shot a huge hole in my day, let alone dealing with the stupid ass traffic both ways. At GM core hours are 6:30 to 3:00 so that gets me in AND out ahead of the rush hour idiots... Should be good.
Mark

[CreepinDeth]

Damn , no raise in 5 years is basically getting a pay cut every year for the past 5 years.
Inflation and the Cost of Living adjustment is what I call them.

Good luck with GM.

[Todd in Vancouver]

Good luck with the new job and hope it works out better for you. Work life balance is a lot bigger than many employers realize. With the upcoming shortage of skilled workers many employers are at risk of losing some key quality employees. I'm writing a paper to my current client employer group discussing what they need to be looking at to keep their key players.

Keep us all in the loop and keep going on the van so I can meet you and your project at a future event.

[astroracer]

Thanks alot guys! Yes, the upper (mis)management just doesn't get it... They will let the good talent bleed away until all they are left with is the deadwood...
My last day was supposed to be today but I made yesterday my last. I went up to talk to HR and they didn't even know I was leaving!!!! My "boss" hadn't told them.... O.M.G.! It was time to go. I will be getting my 3 weeks of vacation time in a check so that will be some cash for the van!
GM will be good! good work, back into the chassis and suspension stuff and alot better pay for my effort.
I worked on a few things for the van this morning. :) I'll post up the work later.
Mark

[astroracer]

Well, it's good to back at GM. I am working 6 to 2:30 and can usually be home before 4pm. I can actually do 5:30 to 2:00 so I will probably ease my way into that after a few weeks. Depend on OT but it looks like that will happen. I guess I can bank hours during the week also... Work four 9's and get out at noon on Friday... Sounds great!
I've been scheduled for an NX8 Sketcher class. Things have changed big time in the modeling world here since I left. Most of the suspension motion files are sketcher based as well as frame and cradle files so I need to get up to speed.
I have actually gotten work done on the van a couple of afternoons and even set myself on fire Wednesday nite!
Things are looking up in my world, hope it stays that way.
Mark

[astroracer]

Just an update. I have been working 10's for the past three weeks and it's not to bad. Of course I won't turn down the money but starting at 5am and getting out at 3:30 is a world apart from what I was doing at AMG. I am home almost before I was leaving from there... Usually home at 4:40. Can't complain. Been working on some interesting stuff also and that makes the days go by pretty quick!
Mark

[trapin]

Mark.....what building are you in? Engineering Center or VEC?

Direct or Contract?

I work at Design Center in the studios. Welcome back.

[astroracer]

Hi Tony,
Thanks, good to be back!
I am in AVD in the vec (Podium), 1st floor, red area. I am a jobby scum...

[trapin]

I don't get over there often but next time I do I'll look you up. ....scumbag. LOL!!!

[astroracer]

Do that! Ping me if you think about it...

[astroracer]

How about a job update? Back in June my manager came around looking for volunteers to go to Milford for a new program they were bubbling up. I had my hand up before he was done asking the question.... Moved out to Milford the end of July and have been living the good life! Lots of good work and the drive is less then half! 33 miles one way compared to 70 to Warren. Starting at 5:30 still, getting out at 2:00 and I am home about 2:40 every day. This has been a life changer for me and I hope it continues. A little bit of OT thrown in is always appreciated and going from spending 22 dollars a day on the drive to 9 dollars was a bit of a "pay raise" also... Not including the extra "daylight" I now enjoy.
That's what I'm doing.
Mark

[srh3trinity]

Sounds like an upgrade!

[ih8z28s]

I know how you feel, we got our first raise this year since '08, they let so many good people slip away, I get plenty of OT because of that, they can't find qualified people to come to the middle of nowhere to work!

How are you liking NX8? we are using NX7.5, lot of things I don't like, but still overall one of the best programs out there.

[Kenova]

Mark, your post reminds me of a fellow I worked with far too many years ago. His attitude about his job was summed up with his favorite catch phrase "Easy Money!"

I think it applies in your case LOL.

Ken

[astroracer]

Thanks guys, I guess my job is easy. I know I love what I am doing so that makes it easy in one aspect. Shortening the travel time was the big change, I actually enjoy going to work now. It just isn't the huge hassle it was for so long. I did what I had to do I guess and now, hopefully, I am getting a bit of a reward. That is how I am looking at it.
NX8 isn't bad. It has it quirks like any software program. There are a lot more button picks now to do simple stuff like adding a line or measuring two points but, if that's the way they want it done, it all pays the same to me... :)
Mark