# I am Jobless
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-jobless/444056
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [April 5, 2008, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-jobless/444056 "2008-04-05T07:41:43Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2008, 7:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-jobless/444056/1 "2008-04-05T07:41:43Z")
So the contract I have had with ARINC has ended. It has be awarded to a Saudi firm. The Saudi firm has not yet hired any of the Americans. They can’t as they lack a permit from the US State Department.
The last contractor lifted our base passes, so we can’t go to work. So I am at home with a parrot.
If the new firm doesn’t get their stuff together in the next week or two I will have to sell my car and fly out of here. The parrot has to stay.
I would call someone to complain, but what good would that do? We are all just waiting for someone to call and get this fixed.
Just trolling for sympathy I guess.
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### Author:  [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2008, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-jobless/444056/2 "2008-04-05T08:17:35Z")
You got it. That sounds maddening. I’m sorry.
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### Author:  [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2008, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-jobless/444056/3 "2008-04-05T08:22:59Z")
Madding and boring.
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### Author:  [@Wheeljack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheeljack)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2008, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-jobless/444056/4 "2008-04-05T08:42:19Z")
If it makes you feel any better, I just found out I’m getting laid off for the second time in two months.
Now that I think about it, that really shouldn’t help. Hang in there, like that cat in the tree!
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### Author:  [@si\_blakely](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/si_blakely)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2008, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-jobless/444056/5 "2008-04-05T10:05:20Z")
I know your pain - I just spent two weeks looking for a new job after my manager told me that a renewal was requested but not forthcoming from the parent company. He was pissed, I was philosophical, my wife was worried - I didn’t tell my bank manager.
I get an assurance on Thursday that I will get a renewal, but I may have to work a few days on trust. So here I am at work on Saturday :smack:
All the best, **Paul in Saudi**
And I hope things work for you, too **WheelJack**
Si
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### Author:  [@Siege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siege)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2008, 10:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-jobless/444056/6 "2008-04-05T10:23:23Z")
I sympathize. Yesterday was my last day on the job, too, and I don’t know what’s going to happen next. Like you, I was a contractor; unlike you, my assignment ended because of some unfortunate and probably Pittable circumstances.
A few years ago, I was out of work for seven months. The boredom was at least as bad as the money worries.
Good luck to you, your fellow contractors, and the parrot!
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### Author:  [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2008, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-jobless/444056/7 "2008-04-05T11:28:47Z")
Sorry to hear your news. Sending supporting thoughts your way.
Good luck either finding a new career or having this one extended.
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### Author:  [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2008, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-jobless/444056/8 "2008-04-05T12:33:13Z")
Just curious, how long has it been since you lived in the States?
Sorry you lost your job BTW.
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### Author:  [@rbroome](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rbroome)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2008, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-jobless/444056/9 "2008-04-05T12:34:46Z")
[QUOTE=Paul in Saudi]
So the contract I have had with ARINC has ended. It has be awarded to a Saudi firm. The Saudi firm has not yet hired any of the Americans. They can’t as they lack a permit from the US State Department.
The last contractor lifted our base passes, so we can’t go to work. So I am at home with a parrot.
If the new firm doesn’t get their stuff together in the next week or two I will have to sell my car and fly out of here. The parrot has to stay.
I would call someone to complain, but what good would that do? We are all just waiting for someone to call and get this fixed.
Just trolling for sympathy I guess.
[/QUOTE]
sounds frustrating.
my sympathies to the difficulty. But as trite as it seems, change is good. Something better will come along.
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### Author:  [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2008, 12:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-jobless/444056/10 "2008-04-05T12:36:20Z")
I’ve been there myself, just last year actually, so sympathy is forthcoming for you and the others who are going through this too. It does get better.
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### Author:  [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2008, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-jobless/444056/11 "2008-04-05T12:51:24Z")
Oh dear. Good vibes and job mojo headed out to you and everyone else dealing with this.
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### Author:  [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2008, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-jobless/444056/12 "2008-04-05T13:20:07Z")
[QUOTE=SHAKES]
Just curious, how long has it been since you lived in the States?
Sorry you lost your job BTW.
[/QUOTE]
I have been in Saudi for Twelve years. A long time in the US before that. Five or more years in Panama before that.
If worse comes to worse, I will sell the car, fly out and start again when the new school year begins, or sooner. I know everyone in this business by now.
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### Author:  [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2008, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-jobless/444056/13 "2008-04-05T13:30:15Z")
If I were you I’d get a 5th of Jack and a hooker.
Oh, Paul in **Saudi** , er…
Not exactly Party Central, um, I’d fly to the nearest place with Jack and hookers.
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### Author:  [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2008, 1:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-jobless/444056/14 "2008-04-05T13:37:41Z")
Sorry to hear that Paul - when I was laid off the boredom was terrible - so was the feeling of helpless uselessness, compunded by pregnancy hormones 🙂
I am sure something will shake loose for you - good luck!
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### Author:  [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2008, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-jobless/444056/15 "2008-04-05T14:31:33Z")
Ooo, sorry about the job. My sympathies. Lost mine back in November, still looking for work.
By the way - if you have to leave what about the parrot? Poor dear, Greys are like children and I guess you can’t take him with you… ☹
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### Author:  [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paul_in_Qatar)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2008, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-jobless/444056/16 "2008-04-05T14:50:28Z")
I have a family lined up to take the parrot if need be.
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### Author:  [@Lust4Life](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lust4Life)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2008, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-jobless/444056/17 "2008-04-05T15:07:02Z")
Sorry about your news mate,hope you get a decent job in the near future.
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### Author:  [@gardentraveler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gardentraveler)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2008, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-jobless/444056/18 "2008-04-05T15:57:29Z")
That stinks. Hope the job picture clears up quickly (for you and for everyone else in the same boat).
GT
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### Author:  [@Winston\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Winston_Smith)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2008, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-jobless/444056/19 "2008-04-05T16:00:22Z")
Bumer, dude. Total bummer.
From what I recall of your posts in general, I get the sense that you won’t have trouble finding work. Good luck, nonetheless.
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### Author:  [@GingerOfTheNorth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GingerOfTheNorth)
#### Post date: [April 5, 2008, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-am-jobless/444056/20 "2008-04-05T16:37:34Z")
Well, that sucks.
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