Should have planned ahead

[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!

[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]

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.

[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.)

[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.

[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!

[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.

[Desk clerk knows all]

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.

[bhskittykatt]

you know... sometimes renting an RV sounds like a good idea.
the trailer parks don't fill up as fast as hotel rooms i bet.

Even then you can always try a parking lot. ... i mean i wouldn't guarantee you won't get in trouble but, if you're in the vehicle they'll just ask you to move most likely.

(although with the walmart & lowes here each has a solid line painted straight across the lot. i suspect it divides the lot into private & public property for jurisdiction issues)

or ... well around here we have some pretty nice looking truck stops. those would work well too. not to mention the truck stops have showers

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!)

Or they could just, you know, commute from the next town down. From there, through our town, and out to the refinery, it's probably about a 60-90 minute commute one-way. Yeah, that sucks, especially if you're working 12s, but that's the only alternative I see to camping/sleeping in vehicle.

[PepperElf]

Time to rent a caravan - if they're not all taken. Pitch a tent. Whatever you have to do.

you know... sometimes renting an RV sounds like a good idea.
the trailer parks don't fill up as fast as hotel rooms i bet.

Even then you can always try a parking lot. ... i mean i wouldn't guarantee you won't get in trouble but, if you're in the vehicle they'll just ask you to move most likely.

(although with the walmart & lowes here each has a solid line painted straight across the lot. i suspect it divides the lot into private & public property for jurisdiction issues)

or ... well around here we have some pretty nice looking truck stops. those would work well too. not to mention the truck stops have showers

[BroSCFischer]

I think ArgaBarga is one of the kings of dealing with people who don't plan ahead. He knows from whence he speaks.

SC

[Argabarga]

But, but, what's the point of planning ahead?! Not planning is what they invented WHINING for!

[Seshat]

Time to rent a caravan - if they're not all taken. Pitch a tent. Whatever you have to do.

[BroSCFischer]

Me: "The closest availability I've found is [town 40 miles away]."
SC: "You can't do anything better? Can you call around again?"

I bet if you did call around again, the hotel 40 miles away would be s/o by then.

SC

[emax4]

I should go over to your neck of the woods next time there's a big event, rent maybe half of your rooms, then advertise and charge latecomers 3x of what the normal rate is! Goodbye unemployment, hello getting the basement carpeted. With all the money I'd make, I could probably have a separate cleaning company come in to tidy up each room I sublet to ensure that's less that your hotel staff has to do. Would that even work or is that permitted? I'd be putting my credit and reputation on the line, but think of the profits!