Out of work.

[Maxmosbey]

Right now, I'm sitting in my office, the window is open, and it is raining outside. I'm eating lunch, and watching "hanger talk" and "spin zone" move ever so slowly. Four years ago I retired from the police department after twenty-nine years. I planned on just taking it easy for six months, then go find something else to do. Instead, after a week, I started turning wrenches on airplanes, which is what I was doing when I became a police officer. So I worked on planes for a few years, then I got offered a job as a probation officer. It paid a lot better than turning wrenches, so I took that job. It didn't take long for me to figure out that I am not wired to be a probation officer, but I gave it my best. I had heard that there was a recession, so I thought that I would be foolish to give up a good job just because I didn't want to go to work every morning. Then there were rumors about layoffs, then there were rumors that we were hireing, and this and that. In February one of my clients comitted suicide, which bothered me a little. Not that I thought that I had anything to do with it personally, but more that I didn't see it coming. Anyway, I went to Mexico in February, did a lot of soul searching, and I turned in my resignation the day after I came back. After next week, I am offically out of work. That is OK with me, and I promised my wife that I would not look for a job until after Labor Day, although I did say that I might fix planes on the side. We compromised with I wouldn't go back to working regular hours somewhere. Financially we are good, so there is no pressure there. It is just that I've had a job of some kind since I was fifteen years old. It is going to be strange, not having an identitiy.

 

[steingar]

Your job your identity is not.

 

[wabower]

You'll get over it. When they ask you what you do, just say "not much, and I'm really enjoying it so far. How about you? You still got your nose to the stone?"

 

[jesse]

Your job your identity is not.

+1...

 

[wbarnhill]

+1...

+2. I'm sure you'll find something you love.

 

[CJones]

My father-in-law was the same way. He has had and left (on his own terms) at least 5-10 jobs since "retiring" from a 25 year career as a Navy Corpsman 10 years ago.

This past year they bought a nicer camper and a truck that could actually pull it and went to Louisiana and Texas for the winter. They are staying with us this weeked on their way back up to Iowa. He actually said last night that his life-long goal has been to get his PhD, but after chillaxin' this winter, he's decided to give the retired life an honest try.

 

[SCCutler]

Your job your identity is not.

Oh, Jedi not you are!

 

[fgcason]

Welcome to the real world.

You've forgotten who you are if your job title is who you are.


After working for way too many years without even a day off then getting laid off for a second time, I passed on a $50K/yr job that was handed to me and opted for a real life for the first time. Never looked back. No regrets. I'm not sure what tomorrow will bring however it will be fun and will pay and it'll be on my terms, not some angry self centered manager type. I'm self employed now which is hard work however it's on my terms.

 

[Jeanie]

You'll get over it. When they ask you what you do, just say "not much, and I'm really enjoying it so far. How about you? You still got your nose to the stone?"

~~~~~~~~~~~
Or, when they say "What do you do?" you can say - pretty much whatever I want...

I know a lot of "retired" people who keep very busy doing lotsa different interesting things. Maybe take some time when you are "in between jobs" to carefully consider what you really like to do and then go do that.

 

[Everskyward]

I know a lot of "retired" people who keep very busy doing lotsa different interesting things

Seems like I know more and more people these days who seem happy and busy in their "retirement".

 

[Steve]

You're never out of work.

Sometimes you just get paid in something other than cash.

 

[Maxmosbey]

Your job your identity is not.

That is the thing. I have always had a job, and my job has always defined who I am. I know what you are saying, but that has always been how it is with me, especially when I was a police officer. It wasn't necessarily my choice either. Just move into a neighborhood and it doesn't take long for people to know who you are. Pretty soon the neighbors wear a path to your front door to tell you about something they think the "cops should know." When new neighbors move in, people don't say, "Oh, Max lives over there", it is always "the cop lives over there, so you better watch yourself." I agree that it shouldn't be though, especially at this stage of my life. It is going to be nice.

 

[CJones]

That is the thing. I have always had a job, and my job has always defined who I am. I know what you are saying, but that has always been how it is with me, especially when I was a police officer. It wasn't necessarily my choice either. Just move into a neighborhood and it doesn't take long for people to know who you are. Pretty soon the neighbors wear a path to your front door to tell you about something they think the "cops should know." When new neighbors move in, people don't say, "Oh, Max lives over there", it is always "the cop lives over there, so you better watch yourself." I agree that it shouldn't be though, especially at this stage of my life. It is going to be nice.

If it makes you feel any better, I know you personally and tie you to airplanes, not cop stuff.

 

[Maxmosbey]

Seems like I know more and more people these days who seem happy and busy in their "retirement".

See, I've been busy all my life. I don't want to be busy anymore. I'm going to work on the camper and the house this summer, but I'm not going to be busy doing it. I plan to have a lot of free time.

 

[Maxmosbey]

If it makes you feel any better, I know you personally and tie you to airplanes, not cop stuff.

Thanks, and I appreciate that. But you met me after I retired.

 

[Everskyward]

That is the thing. I have always had a job, and my job has always defined who I am. I know what you are saying, but that has always been how it is with me, especially when I was a police officer.

I can see how that might be the case with a police officer. Through no fault of your own it colors other people's perception of you. I find that to be somewhat the case being a pilot, so many times I don't tell people, although I'm getting more comfortable about it in my old age.

 

[Everskyward]

See, I've been busy all my life. I don't want to be busy anymore. I'm going to work on the camper and the house this summer, but I'm not going to be busy doing it. I plan to have a lot of free time.

Although I've been employed the whole time, last year was a slow year for us and I had a lot of free time that I never had before. I began to enjoy that, getting up, reading POA, drinking tea, goofing off, etc. I think I shocked my co-worker when I told him I could easily get used to being retired. Recently we have become busy again and it's another adjustment. What? I actually need to go to work? What's up with this?

 

[rpadula]

Your job your identity is not.

But you are what you eat.

 

[ScottM]

Your job your identity is not.

Ain't that the truth. It is important to know that.

When people ask me what I do for a living I answer, fly, scuba, bike ride, play music, etc. Then they ask where do I get the money to do that stuff. That is when I tell them what I do for a job and stress that living and work are not the same thing.

 

[rottydaddy]

Your job your identity is not.

Damn straight.
If you are in any position to work only when you feel like it, only doing something you enjoy and do well, I'd say you are very lucky!!

If you get bored or feel you should be doing something "useful", try some volunteer work. Easier to find than an employee situation.

 

[Jay Honeck]

I'm self employed now which is hard work however it's on my terms.

The worst boss you will ever have is that guy staring at you in the mirror.

If anyone else treated me like this, I'd sue...

 

[Geico266]

That is the thing. I have always had a job, and my job has always defined who I am. I know what you are saying, but that has always been how it is with me, especially when I was a police officer. It wasn't necessarily my choice either. Just move into a neighborhood and it doesn't take long for people to know who you are. Pretty soon the neighbors wear a path to your front door to tell you about something they think the "cops should know." When new neighbors move in, people don't say, "Oh, Max lives over there", it is always "the cop lives over there, so you better watch yourself." I agree that it shouldn't be though, especially at this stage of my life. It is going to be nice.

Life has a way of opening doors to new opportunities.

Nothing wrong with turning wrenches, taking it easy, chasing the wife around. You have earned a rest.

Build an airplane! RV-12!

 

[kevin47881]

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do/not do. You planned well and now is the time to do what you want, when you want.

 

[bbchien]

Oh man, i am so ALMOST there........

 

[fgcason]

The worst boss you will ever have is that guy staring at you in the mirror.

If anyone else treated me like this, I'd sue...

I can't argue that one at all.

Caractacus Potts insists that I work a few thousand hours this summer..around the clock on demand..without pay..and no guarantee of a paycheck afterward either. Wouldn't trade it for a desk job and reliable paycheck though, no way, no how.


Self employment is the intimidating No Exit scenario. I walked out the door without hesitating.

 

[weilke]

Do what all the NY cops seem to do when they retire: Move to Florida, work part-time for some small-town department.

In addition you can still turn wrenches.

 

[ApacheBob]

My brother worked as a probation officer for most of his life. He retired last year. He went to Korea and taught English for nine months. It was an interesting job.
I think it is good to be active with something. Turning wrenches sounds like fun.
My brother had many experiences as a probation officer. It sounds like the problem with your troubled probationer still upsets you. As hard as you try, you can't save everyone. Stop blaming yourself for not reading his mind!

 

[colomtnflyer]

Well, if you are really jonesing for something to keep you busy.... maybe the MC here needs another moderator..... That way you can continue to use your cop and probation officer training... lol

Enjoy the time off!

 

[Keith Lane]

I work for and with a few people who literally live to work (at least I'm pretty sure). I got a bit of criticism once for not reading railroad periodicals at home.
I stated that I (unlike my critic) work to live, not live to work. Hmmm, I did not win any points there.
Enjoy your retirement. At the rate I'm going I'll be right behind you, in 20 years or so, at age 74.

 

[Keith Lane]

Oh man, i am so ALMOST there........

Doc, I just cannot see you in a retirement that involves a lot of down time. You have to be the hardest working, most engaged person I've ever heard of.

Don't get me wrong, you deserve down time. You have earned it.

 

[Jay Honeck]

I work for and with a few people who literally live to work (at least I'm pretty sure). I got a bit of criticism once for not reading railroad periodicals at home.
I stated that I (unlike my critic) work to live, not live to work. Hmmm, I did not win any points there.

It's interesting -- I've come full circle on this argument.

When I was in the corporate world (newspapers) I separated myself completely from my job. *This* was me, *that* was work.

Then, I met a self-employed guy who became a close friend. It seemed like he worked ALL the time, and I thought he was nuts. One day, I told him so.

He gave me a confused look, and said "If you love what you do, it's not 'work'." That was 25 years ago, and his words have always stuck with me.

I'm now starting my fourth business. I don't separate "me" from "work", because it's all one in the same, when you love what you do. When your "work" is also your "fun", life becomes very fulfilling. (Not that I don't relish a nice vacation from time to time!)

I can't imagine ever "retiring". Retire to what? From what?

 

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

FWIW - the word "retire" does not appear anywhere in the Bible.

 

[steingar]

FWIW - the word "retire" does not appear anywhere in the Bible.

Neither do cigarettes or coffee. So?

 

[bbchien]

Doc, I just cannot see you in a retirement that involves a lot of down time. You have to be the hardest working, most engaged person I've ever heard of.

Don't get me wrong, you deserve down time. You have earned it.

Keith, here's my take. I am able to retire. However, I have this $$ pastime which involves 24 spark plugs and two propellors.

The Great Unc. in DC is going to cut 25% out of Medicare. That means, practices which already refuse to take new Medicare patients, are simply going to stop seeing them at all. But they are saying, under this plan you have to take care of everybody (we already do now, the idea is to take care of them earlier). But since there's not enough to cover my STATE mandated liability nut, it amounts to another underfunded federal mandate. I mean, if it costs me personally to turn on the lights.....I'm not stupid.

I can't take care of folks that way.

One day, I will be midway through the office, and a little gear will click. I will tell the ladies to send out the letter(s) and I will assist them as best I can to find new employer(s).

Then it will just be aeromedicine. No hospitals, no committees, no insurance companies, etc etc etc. Scheduleable time. And some time off. It really is true that I am the hardest boss of myself of all.

 

[weilke]

One day, I will be midway through the office, and a little gear will click. I will tell the ladies to send out the letter(s) and I will assist them as best I can to find new employer(s).

Then it will just be aeromedicine. No hospitals, no committees, no insurance companies, etc etc etc. Scheduleable time. And some time off. It really is true that I am the hardest boss of myself of all.

Wouldn't you be able to live completely on the areomedical thing by now ?

Allways seemed to be the an attractive option for someone in the trenches of primary care: AME + immigration physicals and some occupational medicine: the perfect crime

 

[flyer]

Right now, I'm sitting in my office, the window is open, and it is raining outside. I'm eating lunch, and watching "hanger talk" and "spin zone" move ever so slowly. Four years ago I retired from the police department after twenty-nine years. I planned on just taking it easy for six months, then go find something else to do. Instead, after a week, I started turning wrenches on airplanes, which is what I was doing when I became a police officer. So I worked on planes for a few years, then I got offered a job as a probation officer. It paid a lot better than turning wrenches, so I took that job. It didn't take long for me to figure out that I am not wired to be a probation officer, but I gave it my best. I had heard that there was a recession, so I thought that I would be foolish to give up a good job just because I didn't want to go to work every morning. Then there were rumors about layoffs, then there were rumors that we were hireing, and this and that. In February one of my clients comitted suicide, which bothered me a little. Not that I thought that I had anything to do with it personally, but more that I didn't see it coming. Anyway, I went to Mexico in February, did a lot of soul searching, and I turned in my resignation the day after I came back. After next week, I am offically out of work. That is OK with me, and I promised my wife that I would not look for a job until after Labor Day, although I did say that I might fix planes on the side. We compromised with I wouldn't go back to working regular hours somewhere. Financially we are good, so there is no pressure there. It is just that I've had a job of some kind since I was fifteen years old. It is going to be strange, not having an identitiy.

Im in the same situation, been out of work since March 15th. All my jobs have been in the aviation industry since I was fifteen, so I cant say Ive been employed since I was fifteen, the jobs are too unstable. It seems most aviation maintenance jobs only last about 3 to 4 years then dry up. Having worked in aviation for so long I cant say the same about being financially good, lol. So I have to fond another job which isn't looking too good right now.

 

[Ghery]

Then it will just be aeromedicine. No hospitals, no committees, no insurance companies, etc etc etc. Scheduleable time. And some time off. It really is true that I am the hardest boss of myself of all.

Sounds like my AME. That's all he does. AME stuff.

 

[Maxmosbey]

My brother worked as a probation officer for most of his life. He retired last year. He went to Korea and taught English for nine months. It was an interesting job.
I think it is good to be active with something. Turning wrenches sounds like fun.

My wife has talked about moving to Mexico where she could teach English. She has a masters in English. Right now though, she is Vice President, and part owner, of an E-training company. They have lots of customers, some investors who would like to get their money back, and fourteen employees who depend on that company to pay the bills, so she does not feel like she can just drop out and leave. She also makes pretty good money, likes what she is doing, and is quite a bit younger than I am. So unless someone knows someone else who has a couple mil, and wants to buy en E-training company so that my wife can retire too, I'm stuck here.

 

[wabower]

Local AME decided the immigration work wasn't worth it. Now he does only FAA stuff and spends more time in Santa Fe.

Wouldn't you be able to live completely on the areomedical thing by now ?

Allways seemed to be the an attractive option for someone in the trenches of primary care: AME + immigration physicals and some occupational medicine: the perfect crime

 

[jtheune]

My work is a huge part of who I am but my job is not. I'm a geek and I like it. Now I would really like to find work in the aviation field but for now I cannot give up the money I make in technology so I have a somewhat split personality. My plan is to continue in the the tech field until I can retire and draw a pension ( 2403 days, not that I'm counting ) then work as a flight instructor when I really don't need to make a living. I figure I can make 15-20K a year and it will keep me busy enough to not go crazy. It's a plan at least.