October 24, 2005

Rip Van Winkle

Corn Shocks near Millersburg, Ohio

"Tell us about what you did at XYZ Freight Co"
"Imagine a world where there was no PC's no internet, and every other trucker was your competitor. Everything was done by hand so the paperwork, labels freight bills of Lading, manifests all customs docs were prepared by hand..."
"so how many loads did you average...."
"40 trailers, and 125 intact containers, for an average of 200,000 cft per week"
"Hoku, did you sleep?"
"No, not much, and I dont want to work that hard ever again..."

You wouldnt believe what I have been through these past few days as I contemplate returning to the International Shipping business again. When I got the call last friday for the group of interviews today I was filled with apprehension. Then I pulled up their website and frankly I felt like Rip Van Winkle. Ten years ago the firms that merged together to form my potential employer were competitors that wouldnt colaberate for a million bucks. Everything that I did by hand, is all automated and done via the internet. 10 years ago I was the freight's mother going out to the dock to view it, late at night, worry over its safety and timely arrival over the highway and railroad..., today, should I get the job, I am one thousand miles from the cargo's port of entry, and managing its travels via the information superhighway. This place is a gleaming building in the newly developed business park, not a dirty warehouse, dark and cold, or stifling hot...

I have awakened 10 years later to find the dreams of my fellow account reps realized in the information age... and it scared me. Why would anyone want to hire this dinosaur? Well there seems to be an intrest. I had three interviews by three different teams at a freight logistics company this afternoon, and I think each of them went very well... so stay tuned... Seems that God has a plan that I hadnt really given much credit.

Woody received some bad news. The man he saw in Springfield wasnt very impressed and doesnt want to hire him. Youd think that driving 250 miles for an interview would earn you some points. I think its his weight that is at issue. There is another job fair tomorrow and we both plan to attend. Im not counting on anything and Woody isnt giving up...