Typical Day
It's 7:40AM and Jason is already at work, waiting to clock in. After two months on the job at Mike's contracting business, he's slipped into a pretty good routine. Less than two years ago as a high school student, he couldn't have pictured showing up early for work. Neither could his teachers. But he likes his job fixing and installing HVACR systems. He also likes having a few minutes in the morning to talk to his co-worker Doug.
"Hey, good morning, Doug. Just made a fresh pot of coffee if you want some." Doug is starting his fifth year working at Mike's and is the closest employee to Jason's age.
"Morning. Yeah, I'll have some coffee. It smells good. But it's going to be hot out there today. Coffee doesn't sound quite as good as it did a couple of months ago."
"You know what else doesn't sound as good?"
Doug nods. "Mike's crazy stories and bad jokes. Yeah, I know. You'll get used to it."
Jason laughs. "I just wish he had some new material, man. I've heard that one about finding the tiny screw that seemed to fit but was actually the wrong size and kept the A/C from cooling so many times, I'm hearing it in my dreams."
Doug nods knowingly as he pours a cup of coffee. The dispatcher, Marty, comes flying in so fast he almost runs into Doug and gets a hot coffee shower.
"Whoa man, you got a coffee emergency?"
Marty stares at Doug for a second. "No, we have emergencies this morning. I came in around 7:15AM and the phone has been ringing ever since. Technically, we're not even open, yet, but since word's gotten around that a new health inspector is cracking down on grocery stores and restaurants, everyone's panicking."
Jason catches Doug's eye and nods at the dispatcher as if to say, "Look who's talking." The only person they see panicking is Marty.
Doug bites his cheek to keep from laughing and then says, "Hey, that's more work for us and more money. No problem."
Marty starts to say something, but stops. The phone up front starts ringing again, and Marty mutters something about hurting Alexander Graham Bell as he heads for the phone.
Mike wanders in. "Hot enough for you boys today? And, before you answer, think about what we do. The answer is 'no.' Boy, that one never gets old in the A/C business!" he laughs.
Doug shakes his head. "No. No it doesn't." (Yes it does.) "Listen, Marty says we have calls running out of our ears. How about I take Jason with me today? You take the larger industrial calls, and Jason and I will do checks and repairs for the restaurants and smaller businesses."
"Hmm...I don't know if I'm a fan of that idea," Marty snickers. "Actually, it sounds good. He's new and needs a good teacher. Just make sure he gives you an apple at the end of the day."
Doug nods, then turns with a big grin on his face. "C'mon Jason. I get to show you the ropes today." With that, they head out to a company truck.
Arriving at their first call, Doug tells Jason to take the lead. They barely show their badges to a lady at the door before they're whisked through the kitchen and out back where the A/C unit sits idle. One look at her red face tells them to get to work, fast. They remove a few screws, quickly remove the cover, and find the problem.
Jason goes back to the door. "Ma'am, we've found the problem. Something got inside and chewed through a wire. I need to get to the switch-box and cut the electrical supply. We'll get it fixed in a few minutes."
They replace the wire and check the Freon level. Jason uses his hands to clear away built-up straw that blew inside the unit from a nearby flower garden. As he finishes, Doug asks, "Dude, why are you doing that with your hands? Do you know how many times we find snakes hiding inside these things?"
Jason jerks his hand back and jumps away from the unit. "Why didn't you say something sooner?"
Doug tries not to laugh. "Relax. I'm testing you to see if you're ready to take calls on your own. I did the same thing a few years back. I had already poked around in this one to make sure it's safe. Notice that piece of rebar with my tools? Add one to your tool kit—you never know when it'll come in handy."
Three more calls complete—one Freon refill, a couple of parts ordered, and one part installed—and Jason and Doug call Mike to check in before getting lunch.
"Hey boys, I was just finishing up a call and wondering how it's going with you two," Doug says.
Jason answers. "Good, sir. We've repaired three units and ordered parts for a fourth. We're about to get lunch, and then we'll tackle the afternoon calls. Marty just texted Doug a new one."
"Sounds like y'all are having a good day. Darnedest thing happened on my second call. I barely took the cover off a unit when a snake came slithering out. They like the warm air coming off the exhaust fan, you know."
Turning pale, Jason says, "Yes, sir. I know."
Doug and Jason spend the afternoon pretty much the same way they spent the first half of the day. They head out on five more calls, completing three more repairs and ordering parts for two more.
Back in the office, they clean out their truck, lock away their tools, and go to clock out.
"A little more than an hour of overtime today. Sweet," says Jason.
Doug nods. "Yeah. Summer is overtime season for sure. Get used to it."
"No problem. I love overtime. The snakes, though? I can live without them."