The freeper has left the lab

[Brewman_Jax]

At my job in the evaluation lab, we normally obey the rules of polite conversation. So, politics is normally not a topic, but from I've gathered, most lean to the right, but aren't flaming freepers--except for one. Younger (mid-30's) family man has had various posters on his office door, which the boss has had to talk to him about on occasion. He's toned down over time here in the lab, but I'm sure he's back in full freeper mode once he's gone.

We had a farewell lunch of sushi last Friday. One of the noted equipment manufacturers (Cisco) has made him an offer he couldn't pass up and he left after 12 years. He's going to train in NC for 4 months and then become a Sales Service Engineer (SSE). If past experience with the various ones I deal with is any indication, he's going to spend a lot of time on the phone and on the road working on his frequent flyer miles. The extra added work and away time can strain a family, esp. in this case, he has 4 kids all under 10 years of age. I know of a couple guys who have returned to my company because they got tired of the road time and late-night phone calls.

So what does this have to do with the price of tea in China? If that freeper entitlement attitude kicked in and he got annoyed that he didn't get advanced (promoted) in the last round because he thinks he should, and gave up a stable regular hours position for more money and a lot more stress, well, more power to him. :patriot:

[TwoHandedLayup]

1. traveling for a living is hard

I do tech work and travel 2-3 days a week. 2 kids under 4 and barely enough time to see them. They would have to pay me a bunch of money to do what the SSE's do for Cisco. I've known a few and it either consumes them or they quit.

It is always good to get rid of the Freepers. We have one who can't admit anything ever done wrong by any Republican because Rush says so.

Good luck and good riddance.

[Brewman_Jax]

3. True

freepers are always a pain, esp. in the workplace where you can't always avoid them and have to tolerate them.

Rumor has it that he's looking for "growth potential", i.e. the big corner office. If he wants to make the jump, he can go for it. He may decide later that quiet stability wasn't so bad after all.

It came in handy for me. My parents have had major hospitalizations over the past 3 years, and my brothers didn't have the work flexibility I did, so I was available and did most of the work. The job wasn't a worry while looking after them. There are other family issues, but that's better left for a Springer show.

[Ian David]

2. You know what would be really, really mean?

Find out which clients are in his area, and conspire with them to make sure all their service calls are late night "emergencies."

[Brewman_Jax]

4. Won't have to

the life of an SSE is hard in general, as TwoHandedLayup will verify. The travel and road time and late night calls will come anyway. An angry wife will be worse than anything I, or anyone else, could come up with.

Like the saying says, be careful of what you ask for, you just might get it.

[Ian David]

5. Some man should make it a point to spend quality time with his wife. n/t

[Brewman_Jax]

6. With 4 kids under 10 years of age...?

:rofl:

[Brewman_Jax]

7. The silver-er lining

Since it isn't likely his position will be backfilled anytime soon, his duties most likely will be distributed between the remaining three. Since my product line is legacy (old established) technology, this could be a good opening for me. I'll talk to the boss after the long weekend.