| Author |
Message |
Sandra Thompson (Workingstiff)
| | Posted on Friday, September 28, 2001 - 12:37 am: | |
Thank you Kile! |
Kile Anderson (Kileanderson)
| | Posted on Thursday, September 27, 2001 - 11:37 pm: | |
Sandra,
Point taken. Diplomacy has never been my strong suit. Should we ever meet on the road, dinner is on me. And don't worry, I will leave our server a big tip. |
Sandra Thompson (Workingstiff)
| | Posted on Thursday, September 27, 2001 - 8:26 pm: | |
Kile,
We are in complete agreement regarding the overtime pay for CAT adjusters. CAT adjusters agree to do work for a fee bill on a per claim basis. We can work as much or as little as we want, but we didn't sign on for a 40 hr week and, therefore, do not deserve overtime. In MY opinion. I see that it is your opinion, too, and I agree with it.
However, you write in a very demeaning manner about others and their chosen careers or professions. This is where I have an issue with what you write. You seem to speak in an "us" and "them" when you write. After what happened at the WTC I feel we need to be much less divisive and prejudicial. All the jobs you and I have mentioned are necessary to run this country. And Jim Flynt brought up some very good points. How can those of us who were once "blue collar workers" suddenly be "professionals". We are all professionals at what we do if we do a good job and take pride in it. I don't think being responsible for writing a check makes me more of a professional than the person who properly puts the roof on my house. A check can be reissued. My Great Aunt's heirloom Stradavarius violin that was damaged when the rain came in because my roof wasn't properly installed cannot be replaced. I would have insurance. I would be compensated. But that item cannot be replaced. Especially since it was played by one of the greatest artists the world has known. Which of us has the greater job responsibility?
I am grateful to those who turn screws (so that my digital camera stays together properly), those who sweep floors (so that when I take my cat to the vet I know he won't get some weird germ from filth that no one would sweep) and to ANYone who flips a burger. If it weren't for burger flippers I would be starving while on the road. And the same for waitresses. I went back to college in my mid-thirties and I had 2 waitressing jobs. I worked at a high dollar restaurant and made more than most people in an office. I did not consider myself "better", but the people I served would certainly let me know that they considered me "less". I laughed all the way to the bank. But I don't consider it "less" of a job than what we do. Your tone implies that you do.
Bully for you that you went to college because you didn't want to wear a paper hat and ask "do you want fries with that"!!!! If one works hard and does one's job correctly and with honor then one does NOT deserve the derisive comments made by you.
I am not offended that these people have tried to put me in a category of deserving overtime. I am offended by the fact that these people, I feel, are trying to get something that they don't deserve when they knew the rules walking into the game. And "know before you go" is very applicable here. Ignorance of the law is no defense against it.
I agree with what you say about the litigants. I am appalled by the way you insult honest labor in presenting your viewpoint. That is all. |
Kile Anderson (Kileanderson)
| | Posted on Thursday, September 27, 2001 - 6:20 pm: | |
I'm sorry if I insulted you Sandra, that was not my intent. Let me point out to you, however, the examples you used to illustrate your point, waitresses, secretaries, and blockbuster managers, while all honorable forms of employment, they don't share the level of responsibility that we do. I would not exactly call those types of jobs profesional. They are jobs, not careers.
I see our role much closer to management than labor. We make decisions on payment and application of coverage. We interpret policy language, settle claims and write cheques. We don't sweep the floor or flip the burgers or turn the screws. We don't get paid by the hour. We get paid a fee, as independent contractors, to provide a profesional service.
Why don't we tip our doctors? Why don't we tip lawyers, or teachers? Because they are profesionals and it would not be appropriate. Tipping is meant to be a gesture to reward superior service, profesionals are expected to provide superior service at all times. It is the same with overtime. I don't expect it and don't deserve it because I am not in the category of worker who gets paid overtime. When I was very young I realized I didn't want to wear a paper hat and ask "You want fries with that?" That's why I went to college and why I've worked so hard to get where I am. If I wanted overtime I would have gone a different route. |
Jim Flynt (Jimflynt)
| | Posted on Thursday, September 27, 2001 - 2:55 pm: | |
Si, Senor Ghostbuster, es verdad, tengo mi cojones laton.
Ghost, if you think about it, these ARE the good old days. (But you have to think ahead to see that).
Real cars.
Real men.
Real adjusters.
There are still a few of those and us around.
Believe it or not.
And once again folks, if you don't share my views or agree with my philosophy, you have the right to tune out by not opening and reading my posts. (BTW, it's the same principle wise parents use in protecting their tender children, by blocking mature adult television channels from undeveloped minds too small to understand or comprehend). |
Ghostbuster (Ghostbuster)
| | Posted on Thursday, September 27, 2001 - 2:25 pm: | |
Jim???? Do you mean to say you still have your 'cojones'? I recall back in the good ol' days, when men were men and women appreciated us, how having the afore mentioned appendages was not uncommon. But, that was when real cars had lots of chrome, tailfins, and push button transmissions, too.
Now-a-days, my wife makes me keep mine in a small pickle jar up on the shelf.
What this has to do with our chosen profession shows just how much we need to be out on a storm, instead of sitting around irritaing each other here in the CADO playhouse. I found out this morning that the school districts will pay $75.00/day for substitute teachers, and you don't even get a free lunch, even if it is laced with salt-peter! |
Jim Flynt (Jimflynt)
| | Posted on Thursday, September 27, 2001 - 11:56 am: | |
Wouldn't it be fair to say that most roofers would be considered blue collar workers?
Wouldn't it be fair to say that most construction workers would be considered blue collar workers?
Wouldn't it also be fair to say that a sizable proportion of cat adjusters are ex-roofers or ex-construction workers?
Well said Sandra. Well said.
And for those readers who don't share my philosophy or agree with my views, just remember one thing: at least I have the 'cojones' to use my real name when posting, instead of hiding some insignificant mediocre man behind an anonymous character-less screen name. (Ghostbuster excluded) |
Sandra Thompson (Workingstiff)
| | Posted on Thursday, September 27, 2001 - 10:35 am: | |
Thanks GB, for putting this discussion where it belongs.
I, for one, am insulted by the following post on the bulletin board:
Comments By: KileAnderson on 9/27/2001 - 00:07
All I see are a bunch of people trying to get something for nothing. You agreed to do a job for a set fee. A lawyer comes along and sees that he can make a buck by stiring the pot and gets a few people worked up and this is the result. Overtime is for blue collar workers. We are profesionals. We make our own schedules and work at our own pace. You should be insulted that someone would put you on the level of a worker who is entitled to overtime. Go flip burgers if you want time and a half.
Overtime is for many more than blue collar workers. Secretaries (without whom we could not function) are paid overtime. Restaurant workers (couldn't do without them when we're on a storm - whether it's fast food drive through or the once every other week sitdown dinner) are paid overtime. My son, who is a fulltime college student and assistant manager at Blockbuster Video, is paid overtime.
My father was a white collar, insurance industry manager. He did not get paid overtime. But he never felt himself "above" the "level" of a blue collar worker or any other worker, for that matter. I am not "insulted" that someone put us in the category of the overtime worker. I am insulted that someone is so lazy that he/she is trying to work the system to get something for which I do not feel I, personally, am entitled no matter what the law says as I agreed to do this job regardless of time spent working vs. pay per file.
I am not "insulted" that someone has tried to put us in the "blue collar" category.
Kile, can you say "backbone of this country"?
Let's try to be a little culturally sensitive when we post. Many of us probably have or had blue collar and/or overtime workers in our families. |
Ghostbuster (Ghostbuster)
| | Posted on Thursday, September 27, 2001 - 9:39 am: | |
Here is the proper thread for the Bulletin Board quetion. Please use it in good health! |
porchclimber2
| | Posted on Wednesday, April 19, 2000 - 10:50 am: | |
I don't understand why so many people keep saying California law, this is a federal law and covers the US and its territories. I have been in the same spot (on a much smaller scale) and beleive me the federal folks tell you what is going to be paid for the hours of overtime.
If the Pilot folks get off for less than 60 million it will suprise me. |
Adjusterwandering
| | Posted on Tuesday, April 18, 2000 - 1:09 am: | |
Ghost, do they still serve cold beer at the store in Luckenbach? Not too far from Blanco. A couple of decades ago + a retired Texas judge served cold beer to his favorite pet rooster and some friends on the stoop of the store. A couple of his buddies at the time wrote a tune about it, and then sung the darn thing on the rididio. Sancho is correct. I had forgotten the local sancho usage. A lot of certification stuff out there this year. Should keep some of us off the post for some of the time (that could be good). Maybe Luckenbach (or Blanco) would be a good pre-cado convention site. After an upcoming certification in San Antonio. The masked adjusters and masked vendors could swap friendly, and even informative yarns about how it usta, coulda, shouda been. Where is my burro, got to hit the road. Work is calling.
Bueno Suerte! |
ajackson
| | Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2000 - 8:28 pm: | |
To: Mr. Lewis Watts;
Thank you for your enlightening comments. I started to Law School so that i could get out of this business and start a family. For those of you who know that's kind of hard to do when you do not work in the same zip code as your wife much less the same state.
However, during my Law School Career, I have worked storms whenever I could. The School does not share my love for storms and helping people. Several companies offered me jobs for when I finaly got out of school. I turned a blind eye and deaf ear to them all As I see the light at the end of the tunnel, I am having to make some tough decesions concerning my future. I discoverd, THAT I REALLY LOVE THIS BUSINESS.
I want to stay in it and maybe make a diference. maybe I can keep a pilot etc.. out of a class action lawsuit. Who knows. I just do not want to leave. Yes, my posting for employment brought a few offers and opened a line of communication with several vendors who really want to make a change. They are just unsure how to go about it.
If you have any ideas, post them here. We need to start a new discussion. How to make the Industry better or Where did we go wrong.
P.S. It was every CO that worked the EQ that messed up. However Pilot was the only CO to get called on the carpet.
LET'S ALL QUIT BEING SO NEGATIVE. LET'S ALL WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE A CHANGE.
Thank's to everyone that's e-mailed |
Ghostbuster
| | Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2000 - 5:44 pm: | |
Thank you for the unsolicited compliment. Mark Twain was indeed the barely disguised pseudonym of Samuel Clemens. It refers to riverboat soundings along the Mississippi and other midwestern waterways.
The Don and Sancho relationship as I see it is one of friendship and less of a paycheck. While ol' Don has his vision, Sancho, not being plagued as such, views the adventure from a pragmatic level. For example, I have a very close friend whose life is like a series of country/western songs. While accompanying him thru his adventures of life, my function, like Sancho, is to provide moral support, free impersonal advice, and logistics as needed, (i.e. cold beer). I'm sure we all have close friends like this. And they also are there for us during our travails. After all we're just bi-pedal, carbon based , more or less sentient beings. That is to say, human!
Of local cultural interest, in this neck of the woods, the term Sancho refers to your wife/girlfriends lover. In the feminine gender, the term is Sancha for your spare lover.
In closing, to bring us back to the subject of this topic, metaphorically, just who is Don Quixote and who is Sancho in this suit against the Pilots? Is Larry Babinski in the role of Don? Are the windmills the Pilots? Are we in the role of Sancho? Will the Quest of Don Quixote bring we Sanchos any pesos for our trouble? For many of us, those windmills aren't worth the trouble of going up against and that is we signed up for the 'free' money in the settlement. And if we don't get, so what? It didn't cost anything in the first place.
(Please excuse my verbosity. The cold beer just loosened my tongue.) |
Adjusterwandering
| | Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2000 - 2:54 pm: | |
Ghost, your word skills are enjoyable. Literary acuity too! Sancho (correct) or the Don, who was the brightest? Sancho stood with his friend no matter what? Loyalty, stupidity, or the paycheck? Share your skilled satire to this question? Much like present day human relationships? Wasn't Mark Twain a cover name? |
Ghostbuster
| | Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2000 - 2:11 pm: | |
Lewis,
Other than just plain vitriol towards Alan, I am not comprehending the reason for your gall. What is it that Alan has done to offend you? All I can see is that his feelings were offended and then he came back up on the radar looking for a job. If a storm doesn't break soon, I too, will be looking to get a haircut and a real job! (Just saw an ad for cemetery plot sales, (Honest, Dignified, Lucrative).)
Adjusterwandering,
It wasn't Sanchez, but rather, Sancho and he rode a burro. |
Lewis Watts
| | Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2000 - 9:33 am: | |
AJACKSON:
Thought a few weeks ago you were leaving the forum for one of those lying, I mean lawyer's jobs. Couldn't you find a firm that would make you at least a librarian for them? Then, a few days ago, I noticed you wanted a management job with an insurance company or vendor. HA! Had any calls? BS doesn't sell well, does it. Now you are back trying your same BS. Why don't you go crawl back under the rock you came from?
I would help you get on someplace but you would probably want more than you had coming there too. That is the reason a vendor or company does not want you either. Think instead I will let one of those VPs hire you for storm duty which is some more of your BS. Try to impress someone that doesn't know better.
By the way, I used my own name and when you come down to earth, I wish you success in whatever you findly find to do. |
Adjusterwandering
| | Posted on Saturday, April 15, 2000 - 12:53 am: | |
Alan, Ghostbuster, and the rest ... you are great. Like the entertainment of intelligent bickering. Bring on Don Quixote and his buddy (Sanchez?). Coming to tv, today on the cadoforum. It is great. Tired of tv. The battle must be fought for the good of all. Both of you keep on tilting at windmills. As said in a previous post, the independents are too independent to team up, and the employers pay the bills. The bureaucrats have their own axe to grind. Hopefully we all survive with some dignity. Sometimes life does require the need of a cover for survival. |
Ghostbuster
| | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2000 - 9:35 pm: | |
Good Lord Almighty, what I have done here is reopen the Pandoras box! Just look at all these entries!
Alan, my pearls of wisdom are the same whether I use my "Superman" identity or my "Clark Kent" identity. Using a pseudonym is a shield not only from those vengeful souls but also from friends and loved ones. The price of notiriety can be expensive in both directions.
(Please know I am not trying to be superior to anyone. I am merely using an illustration to make the point. I quit being Superman after seeing my first porn movie and realized my shortcomings.)
Our using a psuedonym as an identity actually says something about our celluoid heroes, such as: Flash, Paladin, Phantom, and mine, Ghostbuster. Using a psuedonym is not a detriment to our craft as long as the words do not drag our dignity into the sewer of shame. |
older than dirt
| | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2000 - 9:20 pm: | |
There are always those with a gripe and those who are dissatisfied. I did work for Pilot and (as with every company I have worked for) I have been paid. i do not want what I didn't earn. I choose the hours I work. Next storm in California we may find ourselves restricted to working 8 hours a day. I don't travel many miles and leave my family except to make as much money as I can, while still provided a good work product. To those who jump on board, enjoy your riches, I decline. |
ajackson
| | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2000 - 9:09 pm: | |
To: Phantom & Dirt
As vocal as I have been, I still get calls and Job offers from IA'S and Insurance Companies. These offers come from V.P.'S & up. They have all commented about my postings. I have never hidden behind a screen name. It must be easy, knowing that anything you say can never be traced back to you. If you are going to speak, be men, real men and sign your name. Your work has to speak for it's self. If you are good, anything that you say here will only entrench you into the cat community.
I speak to you as a brother in the business, step forward and be counted. Not as Dirt or the Phantom, But for you. |
a.jackson
| | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2000 - 8:56 pm: | |
RESPONSE HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING
Please hang on, I'll get back to each and everyone of your e-mails. It looks like the " SILENT MAJORITY" has spoken.
TO: Older than Dirt & Mr. Phantom
There is nothing to fear but, fear itself. Get a grip boys, OR JUST KEEP COOKING BURGERS. There are some companies out there that actualy respect adjusters that stand up for themselves. I wish I could share some of E Mails with you. However, I have been ask to keep that confidential. |
THE PHANTOM
| | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2000 - 4:59 pm: | |
To Older than dirt:
YEP!!!!! AND AMEN!!!!!! Wonder why anyone about to hang his lawyer shingle would want to ruin this profession for the rest of us? Uuuummmmm, and then, maybe I see why.
Going to stick with my burger making and try not to burn myself!!!!!!! Read between those lines. |
older then dirt
| | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2000 - 12:29 pm: | |
How wonderfull. How does this effect my letter telling them where to take their ridiculous class action and stuff it. Am I still out of this stupidity?
In the long run we will all pay for it. |
a.jackson
| | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2000 - 12:02 pm: | |
FOUND A LAW FIRM
I have located a CA Law Firm that is willing to handle individual cases on a contengency basis. Remember, there is strength in numbers. If you are interested please E mail me with your name and phone number so that we can get the ball rolling. ALJLAW@AOL.COM |
alanjacksonattorney2be
| | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2000 - 11:40 am: | |
Time to shed some light on the subject. First, Federal Rule #23 has to do with the class it self. The class was not certified for one reason or another, However the underlying cause of action is sound. It appears that Pilot would rather each adjuster file an individual suit rather than make this go away with one payment. Someone needs to find a CA Law Firm that will be willing to handle individual cases on a contegency basis.
In the long run, I think this will only cost Pilot more money. The punitive damages alone, on one case might exceed 6 million. Any good attorney would establish pattern and practice. I have recently found out that in Ca overtime is anything over 8 hours a day and is calculated daily. I know I worked more than 8 hours a day during the earthquake.
The class settlement was roughly set at 10 cents on the dollar. Individual suits will be based upon 100 cents on the dollar plus attorney fees, punitive damages etc...
If you know of any good CA attorneys let me know at ALJLAW@aol.com
Alan Jackson (Attorney 2 Be) General Adjuster at Large. |
Bystander
| | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2000 - 10:53 am: | |
Ghostbuster,
I guess I missed your point of view. I thought you said something about the chicken getting laid which to me ment that ol' Foghorn had to be around the barn yard somewhere. Sure hope you stayed away from the ol' mason jar you found burried behind the barn. Sure make your eyes water when you indulge in the goods.
Feed bag was fresh egg burrito's with gooood coffee this a.m. Was it ever good. Wish you could have been here. |
Ghostbuster
| | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2000 - 10:08 am: | |
Bystander,
The way I was larned back behind the barn is that the female of any species makes the egg regardless of whether ol' Foghorn Leghorn is around or not. His job is to "fertilize" and thereby cause the egg to produce a chick. Otherwise the egg still comes out but it is sterile. I also larned lots of other stuff behind the barn. Things like...well, we'll go into that some other time.
And since our nest eggs are supposed to be filled with 'green scratch', this vacate notice means that the original settlement papers were from UNLAID hens.
Speaking of eggs, wouldn't one of those 'tie on the feed bag' breakfast buffets sound good right about now? |
Bystander
| | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2000 - 10:02 am: | |
Yep- Sure is nice to go gather up some fresh ones in the evening and have fresh eggs, bacon and biscuits with home made jams in the mornings. Just can't get any better than this when home.
Sometimes even get gravy with the biscuits. Man-o-man what a life. |
Bystander
| | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2000 - 9:39 am: | |
Ghoastbuster- If there is no rooster in the barn yard, how is that to happen. Maybe you ment something like this: Don't count your eggs till the chickens lay. However, we're back to: Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Could be in this case, you still only have the chicken waiting on the eggs. LOL |
Adjusterwandering
| | Posted on Friday, April 14, 2000 - 8:06 am: | |
Like the farm thread. Many a nice, smiling fox have had very profitable days in the old chicken coop. Garnered a lot more than chicken feed. Sometimes ole brer adjuster and other times ole brer vendor was the fox.
Such is life on the farm. |
Vicky Cassady
| | Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2000 - 10:57 pm: | |
We have worked for Pilot nearly 2 years.We have always been told what our pay would be at each & every storm.I know Pilot staff in the cat offices are the most helpful & nicest people, I,ve ever met.It is a family run business,that we are dedicated too.We will not take part in any lawsuit.Pilot is the best company,that we have worked for. |
Ghostbuster
| | Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2000 - 10:35 pm: | |
I think the old country expression might well be better expressed as, 'Don't count your eggs till the chickens get laid'.
Now lets see whose delicate feathers get ruffled. Based on some of the above angry posts in other topics, this is quite mild.
Auntie Emm, this vacate notice means we ain't a-gonna get our scratch anytime soon.
Gee, I feel I'm in a rural mood this evening! |
Bystander
| | Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2000 - 7:16 pm: | |
No Dog in this hunt but, it sounds like the old saying of " Don't go count your chicks until the eggs hatch" has come true again. |
AuniteEmm
| | Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2000 - 4:20 pm: | |
Can someone please explain what the latest letter "Notice That Settlement Of Class Action is Vacated" means? |
Tom Weems
| | Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2000 - 4:04 pm: | |
New developments? Hmmmm........anybody got an idea what the new developments might be? This is getting better than "Dayz of Our Lives".
Mr. Babinski might have to put off his retirement for a little longer...awwwwww |
Ghostbuster
| | Posted on Thursday, April 13, 2000 - 3:14 pm: | |
(BIG FANFARE) Ta-da-da-DAHHHH!
So here I set with still no storm to go to and what does my mailman drop in my grimy, little paws, but a notice from the US District Court Western Division of California.
And it says, "YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23 and an order of the United States District Court for the Central District of California (the "Court"), that because of new developments the Settlement of this class action has been vacated as of March 16,2000, by agreement of the parties and the court."
I guess this means we better put off spending that free money on the new bass boat for awhile. |
DJS
| | Posted on Thursday, April 06, 2000 - 11:11 pm: | |
I just got on line to this site to find that there is a class action law suit against Pilot. This is all new to me and I been working with then for over 15 years. Talking about feeling like a mushroom ! I guess us boat ajusters are just kept in the dark, however I would like to know the particulars of the suit, even though I will have nothing to do with it. If the suit is posted please forward to my e-mail address. Thanks
DJ. |
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