We arrived here on Saturday in time for the meet & greet with our representative, Alison from Amazon.com. The meeting was informal and went over some of their expectations, answer our questions, get schedules and take a competency test. I hate test but inspite of myself I passed! The test reminded me of a psychology test where you identified pictures. We also received our schedule and to Paul’s disappointment we did not get nights so our schedule is W-Sat. 7 am till 5:30 pm with a 30 minute lunch and two 15 minute breaks.
Sunday was our first day of training and then our first day on the floor was today. They also have a program where as senior employees we can only work 1/2 days our first week and 3/4 days the second week. Paul and I decided we would see if we needed that. Unfortunately, as seniors we also are not to be pickers who walk up to 15 miles each shift! We get to have the jobs where you stand and scan or pack items for shipping – boring!!! Apparently they have had problems with seniors making the quota’s or quitting!
Anyway our first day was sort of slow and they moved us from shipping where you stand and put books in envelopes and add labels to Vendor returns where we get to pickup bins of old merchandise, count them, scan them and put them into boxes to ship back to the vendor. Once the box is sealed we get to walk it to the pallet where we stack them. Not much walking here either but everyone seems good with the job except ME! After lunch at 11:30 we get our next break at 2:30! By 1 pm I was ready for that next break – should have gone home at lunch like they offered!
So, at 2 pm, there was a big lull in the busy work and Paul tells the supervisor that we are opting for the 3/4 day this week as my back was starting to pain me! I feel like such a wimp BUT my back was starting to spasm which it has a couple of times since my fall last summer. So, being the youngest of these seniors again I am shown up by men and women (some who look like they have not exercised in years!). How do they do it! I am thinking Valium!! I’m not taking drugs but a few cocktails may just what is needed to keep me going through this current situation. Sometimes when I get a moment to not concentrate on what the screen or scanner is saying I will think happy thoughts of some of the adventures we have had this year.
Enjoying the ocean breeze with our friends Connie & Charles near Pacific Grove
Paul standing infront of one of my favorite beaches
Charles & Connie - Brrrrrr....
Besides working I am hoping to get to golf a little however this week the temperature was not even 50 degrees! The golf course is right here within walking distance of the RV park and the rate (according to a nice gentleman in the sales office) is $20 riding for 18 holes! I keep telling Paul, let me golf 4 days a week and I will get way more exercise than standing in front of a screen and scanning! No luck yet, but I am not done working on him!!!
Fernley is in the desert and the scenery around here is pretty baren. Yesterday we took a short drive and found the Carson River with the most beautiful trees that were just beginning to turn fall colors.
Fall colors on the Carson River
Fall is just beginning but the temps say Winter!
We work the next two days and then we get 3 off! I sure hope I can stand the pressure and not think about the golf course just waiting for me!
So wish me luck for the next several weeks while I see what my body (and mind!) can handle.
This is what Paul considers when he is standing there scanning or just anytime!
Hmmmm.....