(no subject)

[i_id]

It's been a busy two weeks, here. Two weeks ago, Tcha, the HR manager at the Washington State Ferries, called me, inviting me to participate in their 2009 new hire orientation. Well, of course, this phone call caused me to run around in jubilant circles, but once I settled down into my adult persona, there have been a great many hoops to jump through.

1. A drug test:
   

   This, of course, was simple and a foregone conclusion. Though I will never put skilled at peeing in cups on my resume.



2. A basic physical test of strength, agility, and hearing:
   

   Also easy. I donned a claustrophobic survival suit, climbed a rigid ladder, climbed down a rope ladder, put on and took off a safety harness, dragged 75lbs of fire hose 200', carried 50lbs up and down a flight of stairs, and finally donned a heavy firecoat, airmask, and tank, and crawled through a pitch-black maze without bumping into too many walls. I passed with good marks, through the examiner gave me a stern lecture on lifting from my knees with ease. The hearing test got surreal, after a while, trying to hear those tiny tinny sounds over the beating of my own heart.



3. Applying for my TWIC:
   

   No fewer than two five-page forms to fill out, each with stern warnings about honesty and potential jail time. Fingerprinting, photographs, three separate pieces of ID. $132.50



4. Applying for my Merchant Mariners Certification (MMD):
   

   All of the above, along with the results from my physical and drug test, and an oath sworn in front of a Coast Guard official in Seattle. $140.



5. Orientation: If I'm late to one day of this, all of this goes to waste.
   

   June
   17th - Everett (8-5)
   18th - Seattle (7-4)
   19th - Everett (8-5)
   20th - Bainbridge Island (8:30-5:30)
   21st - off
   22nd - Everett (8-5)
   23rd - Bremerton (8-5)
   24th - Bremerton (8-5)
   25th - Everett (8-5)
   26th - Everett (8-5)
   27th - Bainbridge Island (7:15-4:15)
   28th - off
   29th - Seattle (8-12)

Summer schedule starts 21 June, halfway through my orientation period, which is (according to the veteran ferry parents) strange, and may result in me being on-call all summer, instead of getting a permanent temporary position. Which... pro: More opportunities for overtime. con: No regular schedule. We'll see how it goes; there's nothing I can do to change it.

Comments

[canismajor3.livejournal.com]

If you need a place to crash, let me know. I'll clean up and let you hide in my couch. ^_^

[i-id.livejournal.com]

I was going to ask, actually, when it got a little closer. Could I impose on you the nights before the Seattle dates?

[canismajor3.livejournal.com]

Sure. Just remind me a few days before (calling works best) so that I don't forget. :) I will. I promise. ^_^

[i-id.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Will do!

[skylanth.livejournal.com]

Odd how peeing in a cup has become so difficult. I suppose that we've been so enthusiastically trained to use a toilet that it takes a good deal of willpower to pee anywhere else. Very cultural, very odd to me.

Yes, I hope you can stay in the Seattle area for your training - Anacortes isn't quite a five minute saunter down the coast.

Oh and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to YOU. :D