Paradise Part 16

A few days later, it struck RB that his manager may know Bill Dawson.  Matt came to customer service from the maintenance base and Bill Dawson’s title indicated he was part of that division.  He asked Matt when he saw him the following day.  Matt made a face which RB could not translate then plainly said he knew him.  RB was uncertain what to think.  Was Matt hiding something?  Was he not pleased RB wanted a different job?  Perhaps sensing RB’s conflict, Matt said, “Bill’s a good guy.  I think you’d like him as a manager.”

“Thanks.”

“Let me know if you want any help with the interview?”

RB thought with the number of interviews he had done, he didn’t need practice.  Then again, he was still in the same job.  He probably needed all the help he could get.”

“Thanks, again.  I know how to do the STAR interview but you can never get enough practice, right?”

“Right.”

Since RB knew little about the job, he realized he should investigate it.  He knew one person who worked in the same office.  Imagine his surprise to learn she was a supervisor in Equipment Scheduling.  RB sent her an email confirming her title and if she still worked there.  Once Barbara sent an affirmative reply, RB advised he would soon be interviewing for an open position and requested a time to visit and observe the job. 

Based on his job handling complaints, it seemed to RB the company did more wrong than right.  Following his time observing Barbara, RB came away believing things could be a lot worse.  RB was amazed to learn the complexity of the operation.  The Equipment Schedulers constantly monitored the operation and coordinated operations in hub airports when a flight delay could be minimized or eliminated.  Also, they continually worked to move maintenance work that may be lost whenever airplanes were swapped.  RB plainly saw for every action required to keep the operation running smoothly today, most of which customers never see, twice the work was often needed to set up a plane into a maintenance base tomorrow or later. 

When the day of the interview finally arrived, RB tempered his excitement.  After such a long string of disappointments, there was no reason to believe this would be any different.  When it was finished, only a few things stood out:  first, RB was certain Bill Dawson knew the work his people did.  Second, RB was happy to learn there were three positions to be filled since that improved the odds.  Third, this job was very different than handling complaints.  Fourth, RB was surprised only Bill Dawson conducted the interview.  It was only the second time during his time at the company one person did the interview.  The first was for his first job at the company.

While driving back to his office, RB replayed a moment that would stay with him forever.  Bill had just explained the job and hours.  The shifts were 12 hours per day.  He would work three days and then be off three day.  Then three more followed by four days off.  When your day is over, you turn everything over to the person relieving you.  Then Bill asked, “Would you have a problem working a schedule like this?”

RB thought about his current job.  He always began the day before his scheduled start time.  He normally left late.  Ten hour days were normal.  Eleven hour days were common.  RB did have twelve hour days from time to time.  He did this five days per week.  He wanted to laugh at the question but knew he needed to state it in a positive manner.  Still, he couldn’t help himself when he said, “Well, I typically work 10-11 hour days five days a week.  Three twelve hour days should be no problem at all.” 

He hoped that didn’t sound too smug.  The fact of the matter was RB knew this was a great opportunity and wanted to sell himself as the best candidate but he didn’t want to appear too anxious.  As he parked the car, RB remembered the position had the opportunity for overtime.  The thought of just the chance for extra money was too much to be true.  All of it was too much to be true.  As RB walked back into the building, back to The Bad Place, he knew he was back to reality.