A question

[Draggar]

OK, the jb I'm in right now has given me exactly what I needed in my resume a little while ago, a long term commitment in a technical position with a company (its been about a year and a half).


The job is going good, I work for one of the top two wireless providers in the coutry. Pay is lower then what I'd like, but with very little commute, and its almost brainless, so its not too bad.

I see a position open for a network operations construction (literally putting up new towers)with this company. The raise would only be between $2,600 to $5,000 a year. Its a 2.5 hour commute every day, and a hell of a lot of driving on my car (it has over 120K miles on it, and I can't afford a new one right now)...

I'm not entirely sure that is where I'd like to go, but could be a positive move.

What do you guys (and girls)think?

[kato]

I hope that's not 2.5 hours one way. But even if it isn't, that's a lot of commuting. With the condition that your car is in, the raise in salary will be a moot point, because you're going to spend quite more a bit in gas, and maybe repairs since you'll be stressing your older car a lot more. or maybe using that extra 3k a year to pay for a new car.

So the determining factor seems to be is it something you really want to do? Will it also boost your resume if you work it for a year or so and help you get your ideal job? Are you ready to give up your appearant comfort zone with your current job to have things shaken up a bit.

I probably wouldn't take it, that 2.5 hours would be the main thing for me. You figure that makes your work day 10.5 hours, not even counting how long your morning routine is.

[Draggar]

[quote]Originally posted by kato2274:
<strong>I hope that's not 2.5 hours one way</strong><hr></blockquote>

According to mapquest, its an hour and 45 miutes each way.

Now, thats without traffic. I'll have to drive through the WORST traffic area in the world (and yes, that is offical, between exit 117 on the GS Parkway and exit 127 on the parkway).

So I could be looking at 5 hours commute. I just also checked again, the payraise would be at least $5K.

[Mr. Pickles]

Trust me, five grand isn't worth it.

If what you have now is working for you, you enjoy it, and you get by, I wouldn't make the change.

5 hours a day in a car would suck. Figure, you are only awake for roughly 16 hours a day. That's nearly a third of your waking day in a car going to and from a job.

[Draggar]

I don't want to toot my own horn, but where I am I am somebody. I feel I've made an impression that spreads across the whole company at my level.

I deal with techs from Boston to Talahasse, and form New York to San Diego. Some of the people I still work with have been promoted to management positions, trainers, and Senior techs. I still keep in touch with them.

Now, I'm looking to transfer to florida next year. Would I make the same impression in the new job? I don't think so, I probably wouldn't have the time. I'm already rated as one of the best in my market (New York Metro), I'm wondering would all that disappear when and if I move on, or should I go for something where I can still make a difference to the others in my position, like training?

I like making a difference. In my spare time, I write documents (including a "tech bible"), email out communications with others. Now, I've had a lot of spare time, and I'm glad that I can give back to others in the field who may not have the time to research the issues I'm able to get answers out.

(Hmm, maybe I should seriously, OK more seriously, look into technical writing with this company?)

[cc_penguin]

I agree with what alredy has been stated, the commute isnt worth the money. I used to work about 1.5 hours away, and all I could think about was to get a job closer to home. I absolutly hated the drive(right through the middle of town, argh)

[mustangjenni]

By applying for the position, it show if anything your determination to better yourself. Yeah the job is 2.5 hours waay one one. Just because you interview, does not mean you have to take that position. Next time something comes up, some one is gonna remember the guy who drove in 2.5 hours just for the chance. Sometimes it is not what you say, but how you say it.

[Spaceman Spiff]

Try to look at it this way: You're working roughly 250 days a year, so a $5,000 per year increase amounts to about $20 per day. Is the loss of time and additional incurred expense due to the long road trip worth $20 per day? Let's factor in gas costs to get a handle on the "additional incurred expense": assuming you're commuting 2½ hours a day at an average of 60 miles per hour, then your trip distance is 150 miles. Also assuming that your average gas mileage is 20 miles per gallon at an assumed cost of $1 per gallon (yeah, that's low), then each day's trip costs you $7.50, not to mention additional costs due to added auto insurance or wear-and-tear on the 'ole flivver.

Looking at it another way: If you are using this job change as a step to another, more lucrative job in the not-too-distant future, then it is probably a good move. Otherwise, you won't really be making any extra money... :(

[MacGyver]

I had to drive yesterday morning, which I normally don't, and it was awful. Snowstorm. Bumper to bumper traffic. Accidents everywhere. It took me almost 90 minutes to go 25 miles.

And this through the busiest section of highway in North America: Highway 401 between Highway 400 and Yonge Street. 500,000 cars and trucks use this section of highway every day. Here's a pic: http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/traveller/compass/camera/pictures/loc20.jpg
An explanation of the above picture: this is an express/collector configuration, however unlike some highways in the US, there are express lanes for each direction of travel; that is, there isn't one set of express lanes that reverse with traffic flow like those in Seattle or Dallas. At this point, the 401 is 16 lanes wide; at it's widest point, 26 lanes. And you thought your commute was bad!

I'm glad that my home and work are relatively close to subway stations!

[kato]

[quote]Originally posted by mustangjenni:
<strong>By applying for the position, it show if anything your determination to better yourself. Yeah the job is 2.5 hours waay one one. Just because you interview, does not mean you have to take that position. Next time something comes up, some one is gonna remember the guy who drove in 2.5 hours just for the chance. Sometimes it is not what you say, but how you say it.</strong><hr></blockquote>


just to play devils advocate: He could also be seen as the guy who wasted 30min-1hour of the interviewers time. :D

[Draggar]

I'll agree with Kato and Jenni (BTW- Jenni I did submit the JIR).

Spiff - I already factored all that in.
Gas, maintenance, tolls, raise, lost OT, etc..

I'll end up pocketing an extra $100 every paycheck (paid every 2 weeks...)

[Radical Dreamer]

I say stay where you're at, besides the wear and tear and gas, you also have your time getting there, so even though you will be making that extra $100 per check, you have already drove the hours that you could have been working and paid paid for your gas, so you really got nothing.

[+Daemon+]

if you need the money I saw go with it. If you want the job go with it, if you really dont care then dont go for it.

[gxavier]

Could ya move closer?

[KINGofBLEH]

Not worth it. I would not settle for anything less than a $10k raise. If you took that job, your car would be toast. You are looking at a new car w/ at least $5k/yr in payments.

I would only settle for the $5k if they gave me a company car/truck that I could take home. Plus the company would have to pay for a maintenance/service contract up front so you don't have to pay out of pocket for oil changes, tires, etc. It would be cheaper for them than giving you the additional $5k and you get to keep your ol' beater a few more years.

[DiR[ëctory]]

[quote]Originally posted by Draggar:
<strong>

According to mapquest, its an hour and 45 miutes each way.

Now, thats without traffic. I'll have to drive through the WORST traffic area in the world (and yes, that is offical, between exit 117 on the GS Parkway and exit 127 on the parkway).

So I could be looking at 5 hours commute. I just also checked again, the payraise would be at least $5K.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I would actually make the drive. Mapquest told me that it would take 3 hrs and 45 min to get somewhere... it took me south then west then north east. major backtracking...so i looked at a map and got there in 3 hrs.

just a thought

[Can't Catch Me]

I would look at your enjoyment of the job. If you think your going to REALLY like this new position, then go for it. I would rather work a low paying job that i enjoy then a high paying job i hate.

I would atleast go to the interview and see if i could squeeze more cash out of ehm to offset the travel time. Also is there the possibility of taking public trans?

[Draggar]

[quote]Originally posted by Majestic:
<strong> Also is there the possibility of taking public trans?</strong><hr></blockquote>

Well, form where I am to there, if I were to take pub trans, it would cost me about $8K-$10K a year and would up my commute time to about 4-5 hours each way...

Right now I'm seriously looking into working in "The City" (New York). The commute would be about the same time to this network job, cost would be about the same, but I could take transit into the city and the train station is only about 10 miles away form where I live, no stress on my car.

I'm going to look into those jobs today, and talk to the Senior tech for the whole area today (who I'm in good with). Maybe something is "about to be open" and if I can get a $10K payraise, I'll go for it!