Originally Posted by
mtlassen1992
I worked for National Filter Service for about 6 months. In that six months, I was home less than two weeks. I was flown to the East Coast to run a "14 day route". That route turned into 6 weeks with not a single day off. This is not easy work either. I dont mind working hard, but this was just crazy. You have a 32 foot ladder, and a 35 foot wall, and the store is your last stop within maybe 200 miles, and its closed for the weekend, what are you gonna do? I literally had to put that 32 foot ladder on the roof of the van to reach the roof. Ive had them tell me I used too much gas, and it might be pulled from my pay, and had them tell me my allowance for motel was set at $75 max on Memorial Weekend, and the cheapest crap motel for 20 miles around was $125 a night. I had to pay the difference or sleep in the van. I also found out more about the owner, Chris Fairchild, owned a ranch house that he rented out to some employees from out of the country, and charged them so much that they couldn't save enough to even leave, and for rooms that they used only 1 or 2 nights per month. He is a snake!
I was then flown to the Pacific Northwest to run another "14 day route". What a joke. I covered 8 states! And to top it off, it got into Winter, and the chains in the truck were completely worn out and broken. The ladder was bent so bad it couldn't be used, and I was asked "oh how did that happen?" as if I did it. I worked my butt off to make a living, and represent the company in a good way, and they treated me like I was out to sabotage the route. I drove 16 hours in Wyoming, with headwind pushing 90mph or more because I had to. That F150 had over 600,000 miles on it, was all over the road. On its 3rd engine, transmission, but just completely shot. I doubt it was getting more than 7 miles per gallon in that wind, but I was still expected to get the same milage per gallon. The GPS/PDA they provided was useless. It would tell you to turn a 1/4 mile past your exits. I had to rely on my own.
And let me tell you about the route that takes you to downtown Compton CA., on Martin Luther King Blvd. Shopping mall with no parking at all for a tall van or truck with a ladder on it. I had to walk a half mile carrying my filters, frames, drill, all that way, go inside, find the security office, leave your drivers lic with them, go up a ladder with all your things onto the roof, and then not have a clue which of the 50 or so HVAC units were yours. Keep in mind, I was the only white guy for 10 miles! No one would help me, or even have anything to do with me. Honestly I was surprised the truck was there in one piece when I got back. And by the way, everything you own(luggage, tools, clothes, phone charger)everything is left in the truck all day. You have no other choice.
I could go on and on here about slipping on ice on a sloped rooftop in Montana, to the many times I almost fell when the wind blew me sideways on top of the ladder.
I only blogged here in hopes that someone who needs work badly will consider what I have said and look elsewhere. This job pays maybe $3 per hour when its all said and done! And you have to buy food on the road all day, everyday with that!