Should have planned ahead

[gametheoryguy]

D: <hands bhs a plate of cookies, carefully>

I mean, one would think, logically, that after being in such a work situation before, you'd KNOW BETTER.

<facepalm>

I kind of understand, people get lazy and forgetful sometimes, and it just happens occasionally. And this actually reminds me that I need to book a hotel for a conference in like three weeks! (in a town from which, it turns out, a certain Ford Prefect did not come after all...). Lazy and forgetful, check and check. But...yeah, I'm not sure how that magically becomes someone else's fault and not mine. Let's hope there's still something online.

[bhskittykatt]

I too thought it was so weird that these guys hadn't made reservations but then my manager told me that it was actually the refinery's fault, that they didn't hire enough people to begin with and then started calling in these other guys at the last minute, so that makes me feel a little more compassionate for these guys, still don't have a room for them though.

That explains it, then. Thanks for the clarification! So they're not all insane...I feel better about that. But....we're still sold out until the 28th!

[emax4]

I always want to suggest the Wal-Mart parking lot, but I don't think my bosses would approve. Hell, I know a guy who lived in the Wal-Mart parking lot for two months! (And they eventually hired him to work there!)

Suddenly, I'm inspired to live in the parking lot of some of Pittsburgh's finer strip clubs... Buuut, then again, the sound of motorcycle mufflers and pickup truck's diesel engines roaring at 3 am don't sound too good.

[XCashier]

I too thought it was so weird that these guys hadn't made reservations but then my manager told me that it was actually the refinery's fault, that they didn't hire enough people to begin with and then started calling in these other guys at the last minute, so that makes me feel a little more compassionate for these guys, still don't have a room for them though.

If the refinery needs these people every year, couldn't they maybe build some sort of barracks for their workers? (Just an idea, don't know if it's feasible.)

[bhskittykatt]

If the refinery needs these people every year, couldn't they maybe build some sort of barracks for their workers? (Just an idea, don't know if it's feasible.)

There's definitely land out there. Dunno if they want to make the investment or not, though.

I'm thinking part of the problem is that they just have more workers this year. We've been busy in years past, but not this busy. Usually, the refineries stagger their turnaround so they aren't doing it at exactly the same time. However, one of the refineries went a little bit 'splodey a few weeks ago, so they're starting their turnaround a bit earlier while they also bring people in to clean up the mess and make repairs.

Also, we have a company making a big oil skimmer (unrelated to the refineries), and they have several workers staying here. And if they get this skimmer built on time, they could be contracted for several more. So we have those workers in town as well.

[Rainman]

I've read several of your posts and I'm wondering about something. Are you REQUIRED to call around to all your competitors and see if you can find a room for people who can't stay with you? Or is it just something you do as a service for them? Cuz I gotta say, I would be quite irritated if I had to essentially do these people's hotel search for them when they have perfectly good cell phones themselves. Again, unless you are required to do that, I would just hand them the phone book and wish them luck.

[bhskittykatt]

I've read several of your posts and I'm wondering about something. Are you REQUIRED to call around to all your competitors and see if you can find a room for people who can't stay with you? Or is it just something you do as a service for them? Cuz I gotta say, I would be quite irritated if I had to essentially do these people's hotel search for them when they have perfectly good cell phones themselves. Again, unless you are required to do that, I would just hand them the phone book and wish them luck.

It's not required, but it is considered a "best practice". Basically, I'm calling around, and all the other hotels are calling each other, so we can swap notes on we've each called.

So if a hotel on the other end of town calls and tells me everyone on their strip is sold out, and I know everyone on my strip is sold out, then I know not to bother calling any more places up there, and they know not to bother calling around my end of town.

Though some SCs want me to call around again. No. I already called around. The town is booked. If you don't believe me, here's the phone list. Buh bye now!