The other rmchrgr got a job!!

Just thought I'd post an update on how things are going with me at my job.

Seems I'm bent on making every terrible mistake that a tech can make in the first two months of work. Though I doubt this is how it works, I hope I can get these gaffes out of the way now and not have to go through them again. Yeah, right.

I'm still employed though, so I guess I must be doing something right. To recap:

1) Left lug nuts loose on a car. Customer came back, heard a 'noise' and 'felt like the wheel was loose, to please check it'.

2) Broke a VERY expensive bezel during a radio R+R, like $700. None found in the lease return parts bin.

3) Left an oil pan drain plug loose, customer came back because of dripping oil but luckily engine didn't blow up. Dealership accountant!

4) Lowered the bay door with a remote while someone was driving out, just didn't see what they were doing. (driving really fast inside with the hood up) Cherokee hood met descending garage door. Loud noise, screeching brakes, stunned looks. Dent Wizard!

5) Backed a Commander into a Hyundai on Monday. Narrow lot, Hyundai parked by customer in my blind spot. Even checked the navi system backup camera which was clear and didn't beep before impact. Told the guys the R.O. said customer states 'does not feel safe in little shitbox' so I decided to test the structural integrity of the Hyundai's door skin to make sure the car was structurally sound. Failed test. Commander = 1, Elantra = 0. Not something Dent Wizard can fix.

Again, I am still employed at this place. Not sure how or why but dosen't matter. I have not hid from any of this stuff. I showed remorse and promised to be more careful.

The guy I work under said mistakes happen, most have a crashed a car or two in their careers. Told me a story of how the service manager TOTALED an Eagle Talon on a 'test drive' several years ago. Amazingly enough one of the guys in the prep dept. crashed a brand new Liberty into a brand new Challenger IN THE SHOWROOM today as well, so my little fender bender pales in comparison. (sort of) Luckily this is not an independent shop or I'd probably be out. Mistakes seem to just get folded into the cost of doing business. Not saying ALL places are like this.

On the bright side, I am learning a ton of stuff. The thing I need to work on though is how to assess a car quickly and make money on it and learn to separate the cars that are time wasters - several little complaints that add up to nothing but grief. I'm still hourly and will be for a while but I need to learn this particular skill to eventually make the real money.

I'm also learning how to work within a system. Not easy. Service writers and grumpy parts managers can be the bane of my existence some days.

Lastly, I'm learning how to work efficiently/smart. I need to remember I can't do two things at once. And I can't leave my tools from a brake job in the cart while I'm doing a transmission service.

Whew! Still glad to be working though, definitely. Time goes by quickly so I am enjoying it when I'm not crashing cars in the parking lot. Like today, I felt I was able to work well, kinda just came to me after two days of agonizing and self-doubt. Banged out a bunch of jobs in succession without issue, felt good! Learning is tough, the object is to get back up when you get knocked down. Do it enough, you get good at it!

Not sure if I should be posting this stuff here on the internet for all to see especially since I said where I worked earlier in the thread but I thought it would be entertaining to read.

Rock and Roll,

- Greg