I need to vent. (Knives ARE mentioned!)

the4th

the4th

Joined
Mar 20, 1999
Messages
1,163
Hey everyone!
I think I have set some sort of personal record. I got fired from my new railroad job after only 3 days. Thank God I didn’t quit my other job yet! I was called to the carpet this morning and told, "We don’t think you are going to make it with our company because you just don’t fit in." I asked what that meant and was given the following.

You brought knives to work.
You ask confrontational questions. When I asked what that meant, I was told, "The instructors feel like you are asking questions designed to make them look stupid."
Your unwillingness to supply your social security number so the steel mill could make you a gate pass.
There was no explaining my side of the story, just a "Turn in your gear and we wish you luck in your endeavors."

Here is a partial copy of what I am sending to the company president, shareholders, board of directors, mother-company, and whomever else I can think of.


1) Yesterday, my wife dropped into the hotel where we were training and surprised me during our lunch break by bringing me a package containing 2 knives that I had received in the mail. These weren’t some cheap wannabe knives. One is a $179.00 Bob Dozier custom and the other a collectable Blackjack Trailguide. I showed them to one of our executives who is a retired LEO from Pennsylvania and a fellow gun and knife enthusiast. (The guy even owns some Class III stuff!) I then went to the empty meeting room and sat ALONE looking at the Blackjack. One of the supervisors popped his head in the door and said, "The company has a policy against carrying guns or knives onto railroad property, if [the operations manager] sees you he’ll fire you, put that away." I put the knife away immediately. A) I complied with the policy as soon as I found out about it. B) We weren’t on company property. When I left for work this morning, I didn’t even take a small pocketknife or one of my ever present neck knives.

2) I have never worked on a railroad. I know NOTHING about the business. If I can’t ask the instructors to answer a question, whom can I ask? And if my questions make them feel stupid, is that MY fault?

3) On the first day of class we were told that we had to do anything we were asked unless it put us in danger of injury or death or was illegal and that NO ACTION would be taken against us if we refused such a request. The catch phrase was "Comply now, complain later." Yesterday, when I was told that the steel mill wanted my SSN for a gate pass, I asked my operations manager if my SSN was really necessary. He said, "Yes, the mill REQUIRES it." (That’s illegal, they can’t require a SSN.) As I filled out the form (complying) I frowned, he asked me, "What’s that look for? What’s the problem?" I told him that someone had tried to steal my identity at one time to which he replied, "I can appreciate that, but the mill will guarantee your privacy." Nothing further was said. I figured I’d complain later.

I showed up this morning and got the shaft!

Oh, I almost forgot. After I got canned, I ran into the knife nut executive. I told him that I was going to write a letter to the company explaining my side since no one else around seemed to care. His reply was, "I would appreciate it if you didn’t tell anyone you showed those knives to me." I was stunned. What a sheep! This guy was a blood and guts former Army Special Forces and LEO. Screaming Eagle? More like Squeaking Weasle.

Maybe it’s a good thing I don’t fit in.



Thank you for listening. I guess I just needed to vent a little and let someone (ANYONE!) know my side. Have any of the rest of you folks been knocked hard for your love of knives?
 
I guess I have been lucky, I have not worked for anybody who would fire me over a knife. I have been kidded about it a time or two. Your situation unfortunatly is just a sign of the times. I think it is the "in thing" to show fear in the presence (sp) of anyhting that can possibly be considered a weapon. I hope your letter does some good, but I seriously doubt it will. Take care.

Richard
 
Just be glad that you found out what kind of company it was as soon as you did. A job like that isn't worth your time. You were looking for another job when you found that one anyway...Too many jobs out there! No knife store's in your area hiring?
smile.gif





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~Keith~
"War to the knife and knife to the hilt"

 
The hospital I've worked at for almost twenty years also has a weapons policy.
I carried a small inexpensive pen knife (a knife that looks like an ink pen, not the other kind) for years, even using it a few times, to cut tubing during an emergency etc.. never had a problem. Except for being teased a few times.
As far as I know, if it's their place they can make their own rules. You know the old saying "don't have to like it, just have to do it".

By the way, didn't you have to put your social security number on your job application for tax purposes. I think it's legal for your employer to know your SS#.

Everything happens for a reason, good luck!

------------------
"May you live in interesting times"

AKTI - A000389




[This message has been edited by Kingknives (edited 30 September 1999).]
 
Actually, I WASN'T looking for a job when I found this one. I was (and am) satisfied with Wal-Mart. The job was offered to me on the spur of the moment. I decided to take it because the money was incredible and the benefits even better. I guess the grass isn't always greener.


As far as the railroad knowing my SSN for financial reasons, that was fine. The steel mill that the railroad services doesn't need my SSN. It is ok for them to ask for it and ok for me to give it, but not ok for them to REQUIRE it for ID.

[This message has been edited by the4th (edited 30 September 1999).]
 
Hi The4th

I don't know what railroad you worked for but
I doubt it was worth working for. If it was the BNSF, The rule for pocketknives is no more than Three inches, this I know because I made sure to look it up as I usaully carry two or three. As for the instructer he probably was stupid. I just finished my apprenticeship and I know that half the people I learned from were stupid, didn't know the job let alone wanted to teach it to anyone. We have an imployee number but for some reason they want to use our SS number also. I think you should fight this and I hope things work out for you
Ray
 
Vent away, you've got a sympathetic ear here!

Sorry about this situation, what a bummer!
frown.gif


Knives are normal and acceptable - these folks don't have a clue! Sounds like a pretty stiff necked group to me. I'll bet they have a whole mine field of policies and procedures with built-in gotchas just waiting for the unwary. You're better off marching to your own drummer and not two-steping with these morons.

Hope that helps a little.
smile.gif
 
Whatever you do, just don't let what happened and what you think they think of you in any way mold your way of thinking or who you are (you can tell I'm a professional counselor, eh?). Sometimes crappy stuff happens to the best of us. Just a theory, but there might've been some unmentioned and completely unrelated-to-you reason that they let you go anyway.

When I was in the eighth grade, I was suspended from school for carrying a folder in my bookbag; some teacher or student saw me cutting something open in my locker and ratted me out. Though it shaped peoples' opinions of me throughout the rest of my high school career, including those of guidance counselors and peers, I went on to graduate near the top of my class, attended college and grad school, and now am performing my dream job. Everybody gets canned at least once... don't let it get to you and best of luck with whatever you choose to do. Like my grandfather used to say, "screw 'em, and bring me a beer boy."
 
Sorry 4th.Just remember,when one door is closed another one opens.My grandpa worked the railroads his entire life and died a bitter angry man.Maybe losing this one is a blessing.

troy
 
I bet this cr*p made you feel bad. I guess other people can't appreciate knives like we do. They have been politically incorrect for years regardless of their usefulness as a tool. As more people drift into complacency the situation will not get better. And I feel sorry for your wife who was only trying to make your day...

jeff
 
Joel,

I hate to hear you are the victim of the attempted castration of our society by businesses (large and small) that have liberal sheeple in charge of policy making and won't put up with those of us that refuse to be complacent and ask questions and carry tools because we choose to be self sufficient! (That, by the way, is the longest run on sentance I've ever written
smile.gif
)


Sorry to hear it Joel!

Somewhere out there is the right place for you! Don't give up the fight!

Chris Canis
 
Sorry to hear about this kind of #rap. You didn't deserve that; but they are probably right, your not their type - they're looking for sheep.

If its any consolation to you one of the flock now gets to explain why you were taken onboard in the first place. A herd of others will probably work in conjunction with a nationally knowned consulting company to revamp their hiring practices to ensure that this doesn't happen again. And, after the horrific experience that these trainers just went through I'm sure that the next training session will feature metal detectors and security guards (or at least an ill spirited 400lbs secretary with an attitude).

Corporate America, can't live with it, can't live without it. Just don't take it personally, and good luck.

[This message has been edited by not2sharp (edited 30 September 1999).]
 
Aw geez... I feel sorta responsible for this mess. I was the one who sent those two knives to Joel in trade for a camera. Man, I hope you find something else soon. That stinks.
frown.gif


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Kelly

SenatorsPlace.com
AKTI Member #A000289

Deo Vindice


 
Stray-good point. Geez, here's a gal who's so cool she BRINGS the knives to you so you can see them, and look what happens. I think the whole thing blows. I guess I'm kinda lucky-in our office, everyone knows that I have many blades, with more coming every day. Heck, even though we post the "no firearms" sign, my boss has no problem with me and my partner cleaning our .45's on the blueprint table (well, at least he never SAYS anything to us...). In the john are copies of Combat Knives and Combat Hanguns, Brownells and Russell catalogs. Even though there are days when I hate the job, at least they let me be me. Good luck, and don't look back! That job wasn't for you!
 
That's a shame man...though, I'm sure you know...it wasn't meant to be. They are looking for weak, uneducated, sheeple type people who will work their @ss off their whole life with nothing to show for it. YOU my friend...are not that type of person! You'll find something else soon bud.
wink.gif
Something...meant to be.

-AR

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- AKTI Member ID# A000322

- Intelligent men, unfortunately, learn from fools, more often than fools learn from intelligent men.


 
Hey! What doesn't kill ya' makes you stronger! Hang on there, i'm sure you'll find a better job with colleagues who are more understanding! I'm sort of lucky, the place where i work seems don't mind cause they know they need someone like me around!
(BTW, I just sent off the knives you bought today cause i wasn't free for the pass two days, sorry!)
 
Hey All!
I appreciate the kind words and support. I was in such sour spirits that I almost skipped church tonight. I am glad I went. The pastor knew nothing of my situation before hand but gave a wonderful message on things not working out to OUR wants and wishes but to God's plan. It was a real lift to hear a message just for me. (Not really JUST for me, but maybe especially for me!)
After church I was talking with one of our deacons and he got canned years ago for not fitting in on a job too. He kept walking away when someone wanted to tell him a dirty joke or the group got into a discussion about the local stripper bar. (Same as I was doing!) The boss just told him, "You don't fit in around here." He told the boss, "Good, I was hoping I didn't."
The bonus to end my day well was coming home to find all your wonderful messages and emails. I feel a little bad now for feeling sorry for myself. I think of how bad off I could be. I still have a job, I still have my wonderfull (pregnant!) wife, I still have my 3 beautiful children, I have all of you, I have my health, my faith, and most important, God is still in control and I still have him.
I know some of you don't believe the same way I do, but it is nice to find that common ground, common belief, common thread that runs through all of us. Most of the folks on here seem to genuinely care. I can site example after example of gifts, charity, prayers, best wishes, monitary compensation, etc, coming from forumites to others.
Several passages were read tonight during the service that struck home. The best one was Galatians 6:9 "And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Sound familiar? I think it's the King's English (King James circa 1611) for "Keep doing the right thing, hang in there, you'll get your reward later!" Maybe some of you guys are more Biblically minded than you'd like to think!
Lastly, I have used this passage for years as a "sign off" when writing close friends or family members. I'll use it here too.

Philemon 1:4 "I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,"

PS - Senator, you aren't to blame. The sheeple are! "Deo Vindice?" - Yes, he will.

[This message has been edited by the4th (edited 01 October 1999).]
 
You are most definately someone to look up to...and to be admired. You have been a great friend to me in my time of need...I only wish I could say the same for myself. Stay sharp my friend.
smile.gif


-AR

------------------
- AKTI Member ID# A000322

- Intelligent men, unfortunately, learn from fools, more often than fools learn from intelligent men.


 
Start your own business - the only way to go. Nobody ever gets anywhere working for someone else. All you get by working for others is the chance to make them the bucks, while you get handed the spare change.

If your dead set on working for others, don't worry - there's a world of opportunity out there. No lack of money, only a lack of ideas. I wouldn't want to work for an outfit that treats their employess like they treated you, anyways.

That's my opinion, for what it's worth.
 
I am not surprised by your experience with the railroad company. While working in US I had to sign many ridiculous statements about my (future) working behaviour. No knife related stuff but crazy as ....

On the other side (after my return home) I found job at local SW company (5 min. walk to work) and about 1 month later I discovered that one of my colleagues was our country champion in throwing knives and other people are interested as well. I always carry at least one fixed blade and folder with no problems at all. I guess I am just lucky.

All that suff reminds me not too distant communist era in our country - when not being the "crowd" person was very very bad.

David
 
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