A life of interruptions

[BDK]

I hung it up at work six months ago. I told them for years that "you're gonna miss me when I'm gone", they'd smirk and roll their eyes. Now they're in the depths of busy season, nobody knows how to work on the equipment I took care of for years. I tried and tried to get others involved, but was rebuffed time and again. Now they're calling me, begging me to come back. I have declined so far.

My secret? All I did was RTFM, and apply the written instructions, and learn from it. Evidently I was the only one who could do so. I worked with a bunch of hammer jockeys.

PS RTFM means "read the manual".

Hence, when you start billing them as a consultant

[Weetabix]

There's an older guy in my office. He's technically the office manager, but there's not much to manage.

He comes to me for computer help. "How do you do this?" "How do you do that?" "How do you find this file?" We do about half of our work via RDP on a remote server. He can never remember when he's on the remote server and when he's on the local network. Same monitor, I guess, right?

I've written down step by step instructions for the infrequent stuff. I mean, like, open this program. On this screen, go to this menu, click this item. Literally, step by step. And he forgets he even has them. "Can you show me how to....?"

But BE's right. It pays the bills.

[Rich]

Sounds like either a mild case of Alzheimers or he never had anyone teach him how to use a computer.

Back around the late 1950's, the Air Force experimented with sending trainees directly to their units instead of going through tech school, and they were a lot like that.

[Odahi]

The Mighty Mouse shirt wouldn't be subtle enough, I work with smart folks. Maybe Underdog? But it's a good feeling to be the go-to guy. To know that people trust my knowledge and experience, and count on me to make things happen. Sometimes it's a bit of an imposition, but the good feeling overwhelms that, at least most days.

[Darrell]

I hung it up at work six months ago. I told them for years that "you're gonna miss me when I'm gone", they'd smirk and roll their eyes. Now they're in the depths of busy season, nobody knows how to work on the equipment I took care of for years. I tried and tried to get others involved, but was rebuffed time and again. Now they're calling me, begging me to come back. I have declined so far.

My secret? All I did was RTFM, and apply the written instructions, and learn from it. Evidently I was the only one who could do so. I worked with a bunch of hammer jockeys.

PS RTFM means "read the manual".

Hence, when you start billing them as a consultant

The thought has crossed my mind. It would cost them well north of $100 an hour, plus per diem, hotel, travel, etc., etc. to bring in a tech from the manufacturer. I really don't want to go back, though--it's a madhouse there, typical busy season is bad enough, but they're downsizing at the same time. I left for a reason. I suspect they'll be history in six months, anyway.

[TheArmsman]

I hung it up at work six months ago. I told them for years that "you're gonna miss me when I'm gone", they'd smirk and roll their eyes. Now they're in the depths of busy season, nobody knows how to work on the equipment I took care of for years. I tried and tried to get others involved, but was rebuffed time and again. Now they're calling me, begging me to come back. I have declined so far.

My secret? All I did was RTFM, and apply the written instructions, and learn from it. Evidently I was the only one who could do so. I worked with a bunch of hammer jockeys.

PS RTFM means "read the manual".

I kind of like reading manuals. Usually finding several new things every time.

[HTRN]

I really don't want to go back, though--it's a madhouse there, typical busy season is bad enough, but they're downsizing at the same time. I left for a reason. I suspect they'll be history in six months, anyway.

So squeeze out what you can, tell em 80 bucks an hour plus expenses. And remember, you're, no longer an employee, youre a contractor, so you have no reason to put up with their shit, the minute they start with their nonsense, walk out the door.

[Greg]

The Mighty Mouse shirt wouldn't be subtle enough, I work with smart folks. Maybe Underdog? But it's a good feeling to be the go-to guy. To know that people trust my knowledge and experience, and count on me to make things happen. Sometimes it's a bit of an imposition, but the good feeling overwhelms that, at least most days.

One downside of being indispensable, is that you can never be promoted.

[slowpoke]

I really don't want to go back, though--it's a madhouse there, typical busy season is bad enough, but they're downsizing at the same time. I left for a reason. I suspect they'll be history in six months, anyway.

So squeeze out what you can, tell em 80 bucks an hour plus expenses. And remember, you're, no longer an employee, youre a contractor, so you have no reason to put up with their shit, the minute they start with their nonsense, walk out the door.

He said they'll likely be gone in six months. So $20k retainer then $80/hour four hour minimum per call even if he walks out in 10 min. Retainer ensures you get paid.

[Weetabix]

One downside of being indispensable, is that you can never be promoted.

Or have an uninterrupted vacation.