ironpony Posted November 3, 2020 Share Posted November 3, 2020 I work for a company on a temporary contract which is ending in December. But there is a new position where they will extend for 5-6 months they said. However, it involves a lot of highway driving, and overnight stays in hotels. The worry I have is, is driving on the ice in the winter, and I don't like to go too far, because it's not safe to drive in those conditions, often. But they will want me to drive long enough for overnight stays, so it will be long of course. I also have been having insomnia problems, which I have been able to semi-fix so far, but I feel that hotels would just make it worse, since it's new beds to get use to each time. So I wonder, should I take it because it's an easy position already in the company? Or is my worry and concern for unsafe driving conditions a legitimate one? 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Foxhall Posted November 3, 2020 Share Posted November 3, 2020 I suppose the job is ok in the sense that you have no one looking over your shoulder really, just a matter of getting enough items delivered on a day, Do you feel tired when driving? if so perhaps better to say No, if you dont mind driving and have a good capacity for staying awake then why not give it another six months, I would'nt be familiar with your extremes of weather- can you build in a clause no driving if conditions treacherous. I imagine it is a job that would grow tiresome doing it for too long though. Link to post Share on other sites
Author ironpony Posted November 3, 2020 Author Share Posted November 3, 2020 I would say I am tired because of the insonmia while driving, but I am tired all the time, because of it, so I guess it doesn't matter if I am driving therefore? Or does that matter, since it's driving, as oppose to other work? I didn't think whether or not someone watching over my shoulder was a big deal, but does that make a difference? Link to post Share on other sites
Foxhall Posted November 3, 2020 Share Posted November 3, 2020 well I am bringing my own quirky nature into the thought process- that issue is a deal breaker for me but perhaps it is not a big deal for other people, I suppose the main issue- well as someone who had a car accident due to being tired, I would advise strongly against taking this job actually- based on what you say there driving frequently appears not to be such a good choice for you. Link to post Share on other sites
Author ironpony Posted November 3, 2020 Author Share Posted November 3, 2020 (edited) Oh okay. I haven't had any accidents so far, so I could also just be too negative or too much of a worrier though, since other people drive in their jobs? Edited November 3, 2020 by ironpony Link to post Share on other sites
Happy Lemming Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 12 hours ago, ironpony said: The worry I have is, is driving on the ice in the winter, I also have been having insomnia problems, which I have been able to semi-fix so far, but I feel that hotels would just make it worse, since it's new beds to get use to each time. As far as ice, I used to keep a set a tire chains in my trunk, when I lived in snowy/icy areas. They worked great and I never got stuck. As for the insomnia, nope I don't have a fix for that. I was going to suggest benadryl, but that will leave you groggy in the morning. Link to post Share on other sites
Author ironpony Posted November 4, 2020 Author Share Posted November 4, 2020 Oh okay, can you drive with those chains on the highway? I didn't think they worked well for the highway. Link to post Share on other sites
Happy Lemming Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 27 minutes ago, ironpony said: Oh okay, can you drive with those chains on the highway? I did... I did have to keep my speed down when I drove on chains, I think like 45-50mph, but I had no problem with them on the highway. The chains will wear out prematurely if you drive on dry pavement with them, but all in all they did well for me (during that time of my life). I did keep one of those cheap $20-$30 hydraulic trolley jacks in the trunk, so I could quickly jack up the car to install the chains. I found it easier and quicker to jack up (utilize the trolley jack) each side when I had to put on chains. I understand they also make a "roller" style cable chain that is supposed to be easier to use on the highway, but I've never used them. They're for sale on amazon. You might want to research them. Link to post Share on other sites
Author ironpony Posted November 4, 2020 Author Share Posted November 4, 2020 Oh okay. Well a friend of mine told me to drive slower too, but the job wants you to be a certain places at certain times, so would this be a problem for them if you drove slow on ice? It's not a problem with them now when I drive because I make all the deadlines on time, but it's not icy now. It will be if I take the new position in a month though. Link to post Share on other sites
Happy Lemming Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 7 minutes ago, ironpony said: Oh okay. Well a friend of mine told me to drive slower too, but the job wants you to be a certain places at certain times, so would this be a problem for them if you drove slow on ice? It's not a problem with them now when I drive because I make all the deadlines on time, but it's not icy now. It will be if I take the new position in a month though. You are never going to be able to fly down the highway in the snow or ice. I don't care what vehicle you have, anything can slip and slide on the ice. Chains give you a fighting chance at traction on the ice, but they aren't perfect. The key to winter driving in bad conditions is to take your time and be safe. If your employer expects otherwise, then that is unacceptable. I'm sure the company adjusts the route and times for bad road conditions. If this concerns you, you should ask before signing on for winter driving for this employer. Link to post Share on other sites
Author ironpony Posted November 4, 2020 Author Share Posted November 4, 2020 Oh okay I haven't done a job for them on ice yet, so I will ask. But even if driving slow, I am still scared to go on the highway psychologically though, even if slow. Is this a problem therefore? Link to post Share on other sites
Happy Lemming Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 Just now, ironpony said: Oh okay I haven't done a job for them on ice yet, so I will ask. But even if driving slow, I am still scared to go on the highway psychologically though, even if slow. Is this a problem therefore? I was never a fan of driving in the ice or snow... Side road, highway or otherwise, I always dreaded it. Some people it doesn't bother, but others "white knuckle" it if there is a just a snow flurry on the road. You know who you are and how you handle stress. If you don't think you'll be able to handle snowy highway driving, then don't sign the extension. Look for something else. Me... personally... I hate the snow/ice. I hate everything about it, especially driving in it, thus I moved to the hot dry desert. No snow here! 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Author ironpony Posted November 4, 2020 Author Share Posted November 4, 2020 Oh okay... Well I already applied for the job, because I had to before the deadline, but should I tell them before they announce who got the job, or should I just wait till after, if I decide to decline? Link to post Share on other sites
Happy Lemming Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 4 minutes ago, ironpony said: Oh okay... Well I already applied for the job, because I had to before the deadline, but should I tell them before they announce who got the job, or should I just wait till after, if I decide to decline? Just wait until your first snow storm and see how you do... I'd do some reading & research on different style tire chains. Maybe you'll like driving on the cable style chains. At this point, a job is a job and you need income. Nothing is etched in stone. If after your first snow storm you realize this is just not going to work for you, then let them know. Turn in 2 weeks notice and leave. In the meantime, I'd be sending out resumes to see if I could find a desk job close to home. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Author ironpony Posted November 4, 2020 Author Share Posted November 4, 2020 Oh okay, it's just that even though this current job is temporary, they may hire me again next year when they need people again. But if I take accept this new position and quit if there is too much icy driving, would they still rehire me for my current position right now, for next year, then? Link to post Share on other sites
Happy Lemming Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 10 hours ago, ironpony said: would they still rehire me for my current position right now, for next year, then? It's hard to say... Personally, I would never drive my own vehicle at break neck speeds in the snow/ice for anything, but I HATE driving in the snow/ice. I hate everything about snow, ice and cold weather. Only you can assess what your "skill set" is, what jobs are available to you and the likelihood of you finding work. I don't how the pandemic has affected businesses and jobs in Canada, but I imagine there are a lot of people looking for work, right now. I have no idea what is going to happen next year. Things could be better, but they could be worse. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
notbroken Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 What happens if you don't? Do you need the money? Personally, I'd take the job until I had something else. Link to post Share on other sites
ShyViolet Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 Don't act as if this is your only option. Look as hard as you can for another job, and just keep this as a backup option. Link to post Share on other sites
elaine567 Posted November 4, 2020 Share Posted November 4, 2020 15 hours ago, ironpony said: I already applied for the job Have they said they will give you the new job? Link to post Share on other sites
Author ironpony Posted November 4, 2020 Author Share Posted November 4, 2020 I will know by Friday, but want to know if I should say yes or not, if they say it's mine. Link to post Share on other sites
Author ironpony Posted November 4, 2020 Author Share Posted November 4, 2020 6 hours ago, notbroken said: What happens if you don't? Do you need the money? Personally, I'd take the job until I had something else. Oh I guess I just thought that if I took the job, then decided to quit, they wouldn't renew me for the current job I have now in the company next year, when contract renewals start. But would me quitting the new one if it's too icy in the winter, cause them to not renew the contract for next year for the current job? Link to post Share on other sites
Author ironpony Posted November 5, 2020 Author Share Posted November 5, 2020 Well another thing is, they do i have to put me through a couple of weeks of training at least, maybe more, for the new position so is it bad if I were to quit on them if I did not like the road winter road conditions of the job, it turns out later on and quit it, even though the job is only six months, and they put me through training for it? Link to post Share on other sites
Happy Lemming Posted November 5, 2020 Share Posted November 5, 2020 Can you purchase a different car (hooptie) for the winter?? Years ago, I had a busted up old Datsun pickup that I used as my "winter beater". It already had dents and rust holes and the paint job was "rattle can". So, I didn't really care if it got covered in salt or ended up in a ditch, as it was already UGLY!! Link to post Share on other sites
Veronica73 Posted November 6, 2020 Share Posted November 6, 2020 Two words. Snow tires. I have two sets of wheels and tires for my car. I put the snow tires on towards the end of fall, and switch them to summer tires at the end of spring. They make a huge difference in ice and snow. Link to post Share on other sites
Author ironpony Posted November 7, 2020 Author Share Posted November 7, 2020 Oh okay, it's just in my experience they do not seem that huge and still seem like you can slip. I've driven with them before. Link to post Share on other sites
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