Toll Booth Workers

[vc1111]

Our wages are entirely too high for what we do in a lot of areas, and we can either compromise and live well, but modestly, or we can keep on keeping on and lose everything.

One of our youngsters on the board made this quote this morning and it got me thinking. (Besides my thread about Off Season People got yanked[8D])

Recently in Ohio the toll booth workers on the Ohio Turnpike made the news. They demanded and received a raise and they are now averaging $42000 per year.

I'm no expert on toll booth workers, but from what I've seen they take your money and give you your change, something a high school student would gladly do for less than half that wage.

Are Americans paid too much? Is our standard of living exceedingly high?

[Aught Six]

I'm no expert on toll booth workers, but from what I've seen they take your money and give you your change, something a high school student would gladly do for less than half that wage.

You're absolutely right, grampa. The difference is that retail cashiers work for businesses, where as toll booth operators work for Old Man Government, provider of economic salvation. Free market? Supply and demand? Bah!

Are Americans paid too much? Is our standard of living exceedingly high?

Yes. That whippersnapper was dead on.

I submit the average American spending 110% of his/her income per year as evidence that we're spoiled to the point that we expect more than we can realistically obtain.

[vc1111]

*Grandpa reaches for his thick reading glasses and his tin hearing horn...

With benefits their total benefits package is probably over $50,000 per year for a job that requires almost no skills at all.

[Strut&Rut]

Just out of curiousity, has anyone done a search to explore the risks/disadvantages of working a tollbooth?

From a Chemical/environmental health standpoint...

1) Exhaust fumes with no ventilation or fresh air exchange.

2) Weather conditions.

3) Hold-ups.

Not sure, but I think in one of my environmental chemistry classes our professor stated that toll booth workers were 50% more susceptible to cancers, emphysema, and blood toxicity (mostly from heavy metal particulates).

At least toll workers actually perform a individual service...ever explore how much DOT flagman earn per year? Check that one out...as that's also where the DOT usually meets its EOE requirements.

S&R

[tardfarmer]

Are Americans paid too much? Is our standard of living exceedingly high?

It's a goob job! Thats why it pays so well, and they're unionized.

[tardfarmer]

3) Hold-ups.

HOLD UPS? On a freeway?

[Aught Six]

Just out of curiousity, has anyone done a search to explore the risks/disadvantages of working a tollbooth?

Despite this, I guarantee foreign workers would clock twice as many hours for half the pay. Despite OSHA and others, no one has a right to a safe, cozy job.

[mdrbowler99]

Don't forget benefits too.I think that it can't be a very healthy job though with all the exhaust fumes.A friend of mine does this and says they test on very windy days.Tell you anything?

[Aught Six]

Tell you anything?

Tells me people should stop complaining about their inflated wages and find a healthier profession. You can choose between health and money, but you can't always have it both ways (particularly if you have no skills).

[bearklr]

Someone working through the drive through at McDonalds does the same thing and look what they make. Well, I guess they get good benefits too...who could turn down all the chicken nuggets you can eat