It can definitely be an unsettling experience. When Freightliner laid off all but one shift at the Cleveland NC plant back in June, it was the first time since I joined the Navy back in '77 that I'd been without a job or the immediate prospect of one.
Fortunately for me, growing up listening to my grandparents and parents describe what they'd went thru back in the 30's, instilled in me the practice of some old-fashioned economics - in other words, I lived within my means. Only things I've ever went into debt for have been cars, land, and a house - anything else, if there wasn't cash on hand to pay for it, forget it.
I'd seen the signs of what was coming at Freightliner for a year or so beforehand, and had warning of how bad the economy could get from a friend recently retired from one of the major banks. So when Freightliner gave us the 60 day death notice (required for layoff of more than 500 at one time), I was already well positioned to handle it - land house and vehicles paid off, over a year's takehome in the bank, navy retirement still coming in, resume already refurbished and ready to roll. And it didn't hurt being an old confirmed bachelor as well.
In the end, Freightliner ended up recalling most of us at the end of August when the Class 8 truck market had settled out at a new lower level. But the intervening months and job search were an enlightening, and overall I'd have to say positive, experience.
In short, I learned I'm in a heck of a lot better shape than a lot of other people out there. And from the responses and job offers I did get, I have confidence that with my training and experience I'll be able to find something more than adequate if Freightliner shows us the door again. That in some parts of the country (Texas in particular) being retired military still carries quite a bit of heft, and you could feel the respect level go up a notch or two when they learned you were a veteran.
And during the 3 weeks I was in Texas checking out the job market and staying with some old Navy friends, I learned just how much their 9 year old son (my "nephew") thinks the world of his old "Uncle Mitch". That alone was enough to make the experience worthwhile.
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Just say "NO" to Ethanol - Drive Diesel
Mitchell Oates
Mooresville, NC
'87 300D 212K miles
'87 300D 151K miles - R.I.P. 12/08
'05 Jeep Liberty CRD 67K miles
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club
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