Do House-Jobs Make You Old?

[UncaBuffalo]

Just testing a theory that putting up with all the politics, etc in a house job ages you. 

(Probably  ALMOST as quickly as raising kids!) 

[SloGlo]

hadda go with the traveler routine,  but i ain't traveled fer while, 'n i ain't house neither.  sew whatsa full time emloyee offa contracting firm supposed to due?  why, take da munny, duh!

[Chimera]

Let's see . . . speaking only for myself (and as an ex-house tech), being a house tech doesn't make you old, but, if you let it, it might make you fat and bitter (laughing).  As a house tech, you get to go home every day and eat regular and you don't run around as much in between outages while at work.  And if you don't remember that is only your job and not your life, taking everything personal can make you bitter.

I'm firmly convinced that "getting older" is more attitudinal than anything else, so I always guard my attitude.  You gotta remember to laugh a lot and enjoy your time away from work.  Don't take your job home.  Heck, I know a lot of road techs who take their jobs home and get bitter, too.

I work for a paycheck.  The paycheck let's me enjoy my life.  Heck, staying out of debt let's me enjoy that paycheck, also.

[darkmatter]

Just testing a theory that putting up with all the politics, etc in a house job ages you. 

Oh Yeah. Since going house my hair has thinned and turned gray. Just the other day someone asked who was that guy on my picture badge with the full head of dark hair?
Also, I have noticed that in twenty years of Rent-A-Teching I only recall having to call in sick (for real) a couple of times. Since going house and putting up with all of the **** I've had more sick days then I can count.
Now I do tend to take the stairs instead of the elevator and can still run up several flights of stairs. I have noticed that those co-workers who take the elevator along with their donuts tend to slow down a bit and expand.

The worst part about going house is the type of co-workers who are more interested in climbing the corporate ladder instead of getting the job done. I always thought teamwork meant working together with a diverse crew to "git r done". I found out that a certain kind of house defined teamwork means "do what I say"

And by the way Kids don't age you, they keep you busy doing the things you almost forgot about.

[alphadude]

climbing the ladder is a job

[Gonzo]

Just testing a theory that putting up with all the politics, etc in a house job ages you. 

(Probably  ALMOST as quickly as raising kids!) 

actually, noooo...  house jobs only make you feeel older...     as for raising kids, nothing is more fun than to put them in a grocery shopping cart with a wet diaper and then passing off the cart to the next shopper...

[ageoldtech]

Being a traveler doesn't make me feel older; it's raising Teenagers. It's like nailing Jello to a tree.

[stormgoalie]

Kids, ex-wives, and money worries, those things make you old.  Hobbies, "lovin", and friends are the things that keep you young.  Finding the proper balance of all things is the trick. 

Cheers,
Jim Rodgers

[Mike McFarlin]

Not old just ugly.

[Imaginos]

...nothing is more fun than to put them in a grocery shopping cart with a wet diaper and then passing off the cart to the next shopper...

Man, you gotta get out more...

[Mike McFarlin]

Been out too much!

[UncaBuffalo]

Okay, the poll numbers seem to be reinforcing what I thought I knew...

Here's the story behind why I asked:

Late '90's...stuck in a house job for WAY longer than I'd ever been anywhere...started seeing grey hairs...and started losing my keys or wallet about once a month...wondering if I was getting Alzheimer's or just getting stupid(er?)...   

2001...back on the road...haven't lost my keys or wallet since...and NO grey hair now!   

Purely anecdotal, I know, but...   

[illegalsmile]

I'm old and mostly bald. I've been commercial and DOE road slut, house tech and operator.....I think living has made me old.

[UncaBuffalo]

Late '90's...stuck in a house job for WAY longer than I'd ever been anywhere...started seeing grey hairs...

2001...back on the road...and NO grey hair now!   

Purely anecdotal, I know, but...   

AAAAAAAAAAAGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been back in a house job for barely a week now...and just saw not one but TWO grey hairs!!!    These are the first ones in 5 years!

[Mike McFarlin]

House jobs have very little to do with gray hairs appearing. Its whats at the house that causes them. Personal experience!

[Gonzo]

settle down unc, settle down...  no need to panic...   if you start seriously losing your topknot just call Bruce...   I know you still have his number...  it's in your subconscience somewhere and he's always there for you...

[cbramsey]

I have been on both sides of this fence.

I just took the voluntary separation package Fermi offered at the end of September and have never been happier. 

[grantime]

The poll just asked for those over 30.  I'm betting that many(most?) of us are over 40 if not 50.  That may have more to do with grey or bald than anything else.  Lucky for me I've still got most of my hair and it hasn't changed color yet even after 23 years of house tech work one place or another.  But like someone else said my weight has changed a bit.

[UncaBuffalo]

settle down unc, settle down...  no need to panic...   if you start seriously losing your topknot just call Bruce...   I know you still have his number...  it's in your subconscience somewhere and he's always there for you...

Took your advice and hit the highway again a couple months ago...and NO grey hairs now!!!

[JessJen]

actually, noooo...  house jobs only make you feeel older...     as for raising kids, nothing is more fun than to put them in a grocery shopping cart with a wet diaper and then passing off the cart to the next shopper...

At the toddler stage they make you break even karmicly for that type of act...sure you got the other person...but you never realize you have 10 cans of salt free corn in your groceries until you get home and start unpacking.  It's so much fun when they help you shop!

[Brett LaVigne]

Things that make you old...other than time.

Bad relationships, money problems, jobs you hate to go to, kids growing up and beginning to explore the world, drugs or alcohol in excess, smoking and watching too much CNN.

The Fix:

Improve communication with your spouse or get rid of them, sell some of your stuff or get a better job, find a more satisfying job, let your kids know you love them and talk to them about everything, moderate your substance use, stop smoking, turn off the damn TV and find something to do outside

Now you are happy and aging at an appropriate rate.

[rlbinc]

In my experience, house jobs contribute to boredom, career stagnation, paranoia, and poverty.
From doing repetitive tasks, with little promotional opportunity, modern managerial charm and all for massive hours of unpaid overtime.

Besides that, house jobs are great.

I still have red hair and I'm 50.

[randyman56]

Do house-jobs make you old.  NO.  i started as a house tech then hit the road for 20 plus years and now have been a house mouse for 6 years.  i don't feel old (well maybe a little) and i don't look old. 

i am not a recruiter but those of you that have been on the road for 20 plus years and are looking to settle down, you should look at Hanford.  this is a great place to retire from.

randyman56

[UncaBuffalo]

Oops...here I go again! 

Start the clock on that 'grey-hair-watch'...  :/

[UncaBuffalo]

Oops...here I go again! 

Start the clock on that 'grey-hair-watch'...  :/

AAACK...here come the grey hairs again...