Should I be a Ferryboat Captain?

You should have a certificate degree or higher and share these traits:

A. Independent: You enjoy flying solo and doing things your own way.
B. Logical Thinker: You take a step-by-step approach to analyze information and solve problems.
C. Detail Oriented: You pay close attention to all the little details.
                                                                                                                              www.insidejobs.com

Last Friday, I hurried into the eatery on the ground floor of Fox News, and saw a long line in front of the food area where you place your order. I knew right away that there was a problem. I grabbed a yogurt and a couple bottles of water, and headed to the register. I asked if the main grill guy was out, but the scene ahead answered that. I have watched this short-order chef work magic on the grill morning after morning, not only serving up great hot grub, but also moving food items around in a way that gets everyone in and out in a flash.

In his absence, three guys attempted to fill-in and work in tandem but could not get the job done, (there is no app for that). Now, in this day and age of tepid job recovery and sky-high college tuition, much has been made about young people skilling a higher education and learning a trade. While it is true, you cannot outsource a plumber, it is also true that the greatest job growth in areas with the fattest paychecks will require a college education.

However, the aspect missing from this debate is a lot deeper. I think the issue at hand, is that there are people who work hard and have pride in what they do at their jobs in order to earn a living. While an overwhelming majority of people dislike what they do; there was a time when unhappy workers did not allow a position or frustration to compromise their pride and professionalism. Now, doing a lousy job can be a badge of honor, and no longer a source of embarrassment. Maybe this was inevitable as artisans lost their jobs to conveyer belts and modern manufacturing. Perhaps, a disconnect occurs from pushing buttons rather than hammering things out.

Nevertheless, it has gotten to the point where modern-day artisans, like a short-order cook in a busy restaurant, are actually looked down upon, while some high-frequency trader running computer algorithms making tens of millions is looked up to, (although with less respect now compared to a month ago). This is where I join with those in the debate, that not everyone has to go to college and no one should be embarrassed for working a hard and noble job, which requires an incredible amount of skill and dedication.

I just think the idea of drawing a line in the sand, and suggesting that the future of America is hitched to churning out more plumbers is flawed. The future of America is hitched to churning out people who are passionate about doing a great job, no matter what their vocation, or even if they like that vocation.

A Few Degrees and Tragedy

As the death toll mounts from the capsized South Korean ferry, Sewol, we are reminded once again how something we might see as an easy job, is actually intricate and difficult. I have gotten on the Staten Island ferry in New York numerous times, and never once considered it could actually sink. It seems like a straight shot over a defined, but short stretch of water that has been done over and over again. Simple, right?

Sewol Ferry: Length: 479 feet Capacity: 475 people Capacity: 150 vehicles

However, when you think about it, it seems like there is at least one major ferryboat disaster each year, but it is always "over there," and while tragic, the news simply does not resonate. Then there is always the notion that it is happening in a third world nation, where an overcrowded ferryboat just sinks from stress. Nevertheless, it was not a rickety craft which sunk in that third-world nation.

These disasters are more ubiquitous than we know, and some of the most famous ones have occurred in western nations, although the more infamous ones were a long time ago:

1876- River Dee, Aberdeenshire, Scotland (32 of 70 passengers dead)
2011- Bulgaria (122 dead)
2012- Bangladesh (32 of 250 dead)
2012- Zanzibar (140 of 290 dead)
2013- Philippines (55 of 300 dead)
2013- NYC (85 injured)

What is more intriguing is the news out of South Korea that the captain bolted from the ferry before any passengers. I suspect when he read the job description that his interpretation of "independent, logical thinking, and detail-oriented" meant something else.  As it turns out, it appears that it was a novice, who had given the command to turn the ferry sharply, which resulted in its listing, and the unfolding horror.  Ferryboat captains may be seen in a greater light after this latest disaster.

Going Down with the Ship

The sinking of HMS Birkenhead in 1852, saw the captain of the ship proclaim "women and children first" and began the noble Victorian protocol for behavior at sea. Heretofore, the captain was seen with the power of God on long voyages, and the feeling was that anyone that did not make it off a doomed ship was just unlucky. Lee Joon-Seok was not commanding on a long trip, but he must have thought highly of himself to head for the nearest lifeboat, along with crewmembers as his ferryboat toppled into murky waters.

Like the captain of the Costa Concordia, Captain Lee was arrested, and maybe justice awaits him soon.

In many ways, elected leaders are like captains of vessels. In that sense, many people must have felt hung out to dry when they learned of the high federal tax rates for the people that advocate socking it to the rich, as a universal elixir sure to cure all that ails the nation.

Obama paid $98,169 in taxes on $481,095, or 20.4% (and got a $19,000 refund), while Biden paid $96,378 on $407,009 in income, or 23.7% (it is clear they need to borrow the President's accountant). The mayor of New York paid an even lower federal tax rate. It would seem to me that at the very least, people who are willing to cripple the nation by going as far as taxing of assets would step up to the plate, and fork over the maximum. Go down with the ship, after all!

No wonder so many people are simply disillusioned.

We are at a difficult point in this nation's history. Our country is listing, and it is on the verge of capsizing. We have lost our moral compass, and rookies are running the show. It is a slow motion disaster, and that is the great news - because it can be diverted. We must rekindle our spirit and revolve in the kind of pride that comes from doing a great job. No occupation is too small, even if it pays a minuscule amount. Being great has its own rewards including promotion, or introspection, and pride in the fact that you can make it happen.

We cannot let that float wait for this nation masked by a false pride from having food stamps, or free phones. Our ship gets upright when everyone has oars in the ocean, and pulls their own weight, and then some.

 

Comments

DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW EARNINGS COULD POSSIBLY STAY LEVEL OR INCREASE WITH THE CONTINUED INCREASE IN ENERGY COST... NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT IT... $1.79/GALLON WHEN FACIST WAS ELECTED... OVER $4.00 NOW.. THAT AFFECTS EVERYONE & EVERYTHING... JACK GREGORY on 4/21/2014 2:14:59 PM

Too many people are entering the work force with expectations (many false), not enough of them show a passion that makes them a good candidate. We are a manufacturer. We don't need your degree, we need your passion. Kevin Ten Haken on 4/21/2014 2:52:22 PM

I was born in the mid 20s - along with 4 brothers - we didn't have anything to save - many yrs. we didn't have a lot to eat. We went different directions - one a plumber - another an electrician - a trucker - a chiropractor & the writer a salesman. We didn't know how to invest because of our backgrounds - but we all saved - and we all chipped in to bury our parents. Now we are pd. next to nothing on what we have saved - our gov't tells us inflation is only 2% if we don't eat or use any energy! However, with inflation running 5/6 % in 5 yrs. we will have 25 % less purchasing power - this will be "helping" (lower) the middle class that they speak of wishing to help! The housing mkt. should collapse as our purchasing power diminishes - the banks will have "mucho dinero" but no one to lend it to. The wealthy will still be wealthy & the spread between them & the middle class will be steeper. The student debt must be resolved - the people can't buy houses & pay them off @ the same time. Kind regards Gordon Henspeter gordon henspeter on 4/21/2014 3:49:30 PM

I totally agree with you and most, if not all, of your subscribers do as well. BUT, how do you fight a party that is "buying" votes with a lot of hand outs and "aids"? This country will not see a true recovery until this problem is nullified. Connie H on 4/21/2014 4:00:27 PM

Your poll results are very encouraging, but possibly mostly reflect the attitudes of older, more mature folks who have been there and done that. Terri Hemings on 4/22/2014 10:54:40 AM

A INDIVIDUALS' future is tied to that INDIVIDUAL serving his/hers wants & needs by serving the wants & needs of others.Don't need a socialist ivy education learn that. F.L. on 4/25/2014 11:33:01 AM

I do think that the pride taken in one's job is definitely waning. I do not support mediocre performance - at all - but I do understand what drives the behavior. There is no loyalty from a company to its employees anymore. Zero. People in the past(myself included) let the job define them. The pride you felt and the subsequent performance you provided for the corporation were linked to who you were. You always tried to do better. This generation learned that it is not worth it to sacrifice your life on the corporate altar. Can't disagree. Connie H on 4/30/2014 4:12:43 PM

college schmollege---passion and hard work and square dealing wins all timsymons on 5/2/2014 11:04:21 AM

I was thinking it was Mr Varne who asked why kids don't take summer jobs but I think now it was you. I believe I know the answer. Pot and parents. Pot to make them feel happy and steal their motivation and parents to build up their self esteem and support them for ever financially. My students were saying it was important to legitimize drugs. I asked if you were given the money and asked to go purchase some pot, is there anyone who could not find it to buy. That was a stupid question they thought cause of course anyone could get it. It's not a question of who is doing pot. It is who isn't. And that number is extremely small. Can't stop it. Future will be interesting if nothing else. Talk about the gap been Rich and poor. It can't but grow more and more. It will be a new world. We need all to pull together. Pot robs the motivation from many. Fran Touchette on 5/4/2014 8:18:51 AM

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