its been really slow
most of my work derives from decom projects. Last week for instance I had zero timed trouble tickets and zero provisioning orders . Do I mind ? Tough to say.Ive been doing this a very long time .The writing is on the wall. Legacy wireline is done and my job can be done with little or less skill. Sorry don't mean to offend other techs.Im just not ready to retire and Verizin in a sense pidgeonholed me into this job. I have no little skills outside of Vz. A package is the only way im leaving.Whatever is about to go down I do with all the best.
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I am a COT in Northern NJ and all I can say is that there is ALWAYS something to do. Between the latest ISP, people out on disability, backfills, airport nonsense and FIFA I have no problem filling out 8 hours on a timesheet.
@bs that's bs. You don't "lose" it, you freeze it.
@ef Wireless huts /cages aren’t CEVs.
@cf Fiber cut isolation?! Believe it or not some cot’s actually know how to use an otdr and have been locating the distance to open fibers for years. So that’s nothing new. As for working in cev’s, in our area you’re supposed to purge and vent a cev following manhole safety protocols. Is the company going to put a trailer hitch on my sedan and have me tow a manhole unit?! I’m calling B$ on that!
@dy I can understand your frustration. Especially being micromanaged by people that probably have never done the job. They want quick results and there’s no denying that maintenance techs are whipped and abused. The company and their “metrics” are responsible for the horrendous condition of the outside plant. Guys simply change pairs instead of fixing the plant because of the extreme pressure they are under to meet the metric on the timed ticket. All that being said don’t be too quick to paint every cot with the same brush. I came into the cot title after over 25 years as a construction splicer. Spent a lot of time in cold muddy splice pits. Back and knees were deteriorating so I “ went inside “. And there I too sit, waiting for a surplus offer. Did many miserable years as an operator too. So I’ve paid my dues and I’ll leave when I’m ready on my own terms.
@OP I’m a cot as well. Out on disability and going back soon. There’s no work say my peers. Yet they are concerned with time sheet gaps etc. It’s school marm nonsense. It’s their job to load us work and they can’t. So we do “ self created tickets “. It ki-ls them to think we might be sitting at our desks because there’s no work. Now they have to make it look we actually need to be there! They could operate with far less people and cover the off tours with an “ on call” person. I’ll sit there and take there money if they don’t want to surplus me.
Not to sound like a dou--e but I work in The field, I go to savages houses everyday as soon as I finish a job I get another and I’m micromanaged to death. Nothing annoys me more of people crying doing nothing and begging for a package when people who actually work for a living can’t get anything.
@bh I built this company to what it is today . Worked 24x7 365. More ot than you could ever imagine. Yeah I would say pigeonholed.Back then I felt obligated to get the job done.Not that im complaining. I built up a nice savings and sent 4 kids to college.Have 2 homes and mult cars and collectables.I didnt say I was stupid. I made good investments and smart moves with my earnings.Im educated but my degree is useless at this point. That was 40 years ago, Im just not ready to go.Im not gonna go work for 15 bucks an hr. My point was Im not skilled to do much of anything but co work. Look I have no animosity towards non union. Theyre the ones who should be building a resume and taking advantage of the tuition assistance or online programs available.Well anyone hired after 2000 really.
@cf I’m fine with the wireless stuff but no way am I going in peoples houses
Cots will be taking care of VZW hut work soon. And I’d expect VZ to follow FTRs model. Have you do Ethernet installs, ftth trouble isolation, fiber cut isolation, etc.
Not sure where you work or what orbit you are in but quite the opposite me, backfilling and some forced overtime assignments here
@bs ummm,it was never said to move to management. Many transfers appear to different departments. When you have a cushy job in an air conditioned building and no one watching , you don’t wanna give that up! You know, make a little workout room some where, have a room with a couch and tv. It’s ok, but don’t complain now
@bv Yes, I will let my supervisor know I'm interested in the supposed September package to be offered in August. I hope he doesn't get laid off in July.
Eisp in August off payroll in September, according to people I have spoken to, let your supervisor know your interested.
@bh move to what position? He's union with good benefits. If he moves over to management he will lose his pension, is at risk of RIFs and has less benefits. Plus anyone who switches from union to management is ALWAYS the first head on the chopping block when RIFs come around.
@OP do not feel alone bud,! I know guys with 30+ years of seniority and do not know how to cable an equipment power supply, do not know how things work around them, never want to get anything done by themselves, always complain that they do not know and therefore cannot do a type of eork...They hide behind the union thing...Those guys do not stand a chance in the real job matket....if this was a merit based environment like any other co. Out there, they wouldn't had a chance.
So you enjoyed the laziness of being a COT for years and never tried to expand your skills or move to a different position and you blame VZ for “ pigeon holing “ you? Hilarious