After my camping trip last weekend, I had to fly home. The plane was packed, and I was in the last 15 or so people to board. There were some scattered openings up front, but I was really dirty and stinky, so I hoped to find a more open spot in the back of the plane...it's not as convenient for me, but I really didn't want to force anyone to sit next to me in my unhygienic state. As I got to the rear of the plane, it became clear that there were no better options in the "inconvenient" section.
So I approached the opening available between two dudes in the very last seat on the plane and gave the universal, "Ist hier noch frei?" gesture (aka can I sit here lol). They both looked clean and professional...much unlike myself, covered in mud, blood and sweat, wrapped in an alpaca wool poncho. The dude in the aisle seat gave me the "hop on in here!" gesture, and the dude by the window told me he was saving it for someone. I was honestly shocked someone would try to pull that shit on the far back seat of a packed flight, and my shock must have showed up somewhere in my expression as I looked back at the line of travelers I would have to fight through to get back up to the front. No doubt I would also have to have an awkward exchange as I try to squeeze past whoever the seat was being saved for. He must have seen it and thought for a second just how much he would hate to be in my position, because he quickly changed his mind. "No, you know what, I don't like him that much anyway!" He laughed and told me to go ahead and take the seat. I gave him one last chance to hold his ground: "You sure? I really don't want to trouble you." (Especially when I'm this stinky and gross, I thought)
"No, no, I'm sure - go ahead and take a seat." As I moved into the open seat, trying to keep my arms close to my sides, he gestured to his traveling companion to take whatever seat he could get.
I never slept more than 3 hours in a night while I was out there, and I would have an hour and forty five minute drive home after we landed, so I just wanted to shut down, mind my own business, and fall asleep for the flight.
The dude to my left, as soon as I closed my eyes and laid my head back, tapped me on the shoulder. "Where you comin' from man?" he asked. I told him about our annual camping ritual and gave a few limited details, but I didn't want to go nuts and make him regret asking. He asked several questions about our gear and what kinds of wild life we encountered during the trip, and next thing I knew we were having a full on conversation. He told me about all of his camping and hiking adventures, and gave me some great tips on recommended gear (I told him how my old army sleeping bag takes up my whole huge-ass ruck sack and weighs way more than a sleeping bag probably should).
Somewhere around halfway through the flight, the conversation shifted to work. After asking me what I do and talking about that for a bit, I returned the interest and asked about his work. The more he told me, the more fascinated I became. The guy is what's called a longshoreman - and not only that, but he's the vice president of the longshoremen's association he works for!
So I'm all grub-a-dub, nasty as hell, talking with this high ranking professional dude, and we're just totally getting along awesome, as if he's completely unphased by my...disheveled...ness? lol
As the plane begins its descent, I commented - completely honest and truthfully - that his line of work and the way he engages with regard to it was completely inspirational, and that I was going to look into this when I got home. He pulled out his wallet, removed a business card, and said: "Here, I'll write down the steps you need to take to get started." I watched as he wrote:
He told me once you've been approved and have this clearance card, I'll show you around the hall, get you introduced to everyone, and get you set up to get started. He had already told me about the pay and incentives, and sincerely, it sounds like an opportunity too good to pass up.
During my lunch break yesterday, I set up the appointment for the TWIC card application process. I scheduled it a week or so out from then to give myself time to collect all the necessary documents and artifacts. After work I had to take my youngest daughter for a scheduled appointment with the dermatologist, but as soon as we got home I went and located all the things I would need for the application process. They are currently sitting in a folder in my backpack, so I'm all set for the appointment.
Applying for the TWIC card costs $125, which is pretty steep for me, but it sounds like it will be a worthwhile investment. Basically, it sounds like I can join the union and then pick up shifts when I want, or not pick up shifts when I don't want. So I'm going to stick with my current engineering job, but will work a few nights/weekends here and there for extra money - and this was actually how he recommended I get my start. He said flat out: "I think you should keep your current job for now, and just treat the longshoreman work as a side hustle. Once you're familiar with the job and you've seen the freedom and pay it gives, you'll probably want to switch and make a career out of it, but this way you're not burning any bridges if it turns out it's not for you." ...so I'm going to do exactly that!
I guess that's all for now, pretty inconclusive story but I'm really excited to tell my Hive journal that I may be doing some cool new stuff in the semi-near future! I'll of course share updates once I know more and have experienced this work for myself, but for now I guess that's it - just remember, your next opportunity is always right around the corner, you just have to stay open to possibility, and engage with the world around you!
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