This was from somebody I know, he posted this on another site so I felt all need to know what we installers whether cable or satellite or even phones have to go through.
Mar 6, 2008 7:11 PM
This has been bugging me for a whileso, this isnt really a drunken rant, I am neither drunk nor ranting. For those of you that have been out of the loop for a bit, or on another planet, I work for Directv, I am an Installer, I have a good job, I enjoy it. Most of the time.
There are moments, when I feel just terrible about the situations that I am placed in as an Installer. some are just embarrassing, like the porno that 'accidentally' gets started while I am right next to the TV. Or the half naked women, AND men. Quite scarey that some people just dont care. Dont get me wrong, I appreciate the women, trying to flirt and all, but there comes a point in life when you just need to keep the canvas covered. And I wont even start on the guys. I may need Therapy by the time I stop installing.
Ok, Funny stuff aside.
There are times, when you go to an install, people are barely just getting by, if not sliding down. Or Getting TV for their Dying brother, sister, father, daughter, etc, and your heart just breaks and I do what ever I can, If not more to make sure they are happy, I couldnt tell you how many free wall fishes, Pole mounts, mirrors, extra lines etc I have run for those situations, and leave wishing I could do more. Now, I know I dont have the most important job in the world, I am not a Doctor, a lawyer, fireman, police officer. I dont send someone into space and I am not in Iraq protecting someone. But for someone who cannot leave their bed because they are dying and the TV is the only thing that gets them through, and they smile and thank me from the bottem of their heart, it makes me feel good, like I did something special for them.
There are those times, and then there are these times as well. I have done installs in multi million dollar homes, and I have done installs in homes that are worth less than $1000. Sparta Georgia stands out in my mind, some of the 'homes' there were just...they just...I cant think of any other way to put this than to just say all I wanted to do was just scream at these people saying you need to do something OTHER than watch TV. Your young, healthy, etc, get a f**king job, do something with your life. And then there are the kids. I love children, I think eventually, if I can ever settle down, I would make a good father. I have gone on installs, where from the moment, I walked in the door, to the moment I walked out, I had a shadow, a little human, just asking questions, wanting to help, excited like it was christmas day that they were getting Directv, I have gotten hugs, Tears, smiles, missing tools, been called Daddy (that was a bit uncomfortable, especially since they actually looked a little like me, but I Did not know the mother) And I have seen some things that would break your heart as well, like an install I did I would say almost 2 years ago. I dont think the boy was more than 9 or 10 and he slept in his parents bathroom. Yes I still have the pictures. It is hard to describe how I felt when I found that out. Or that he was embarressed, when he said he cleaned his room as best as he could for me to put a reciever in there for him. There were urine stains on the matress, considering the toilet was right next to the matress I can understand why, and cockroaches.
Now, I dont, nor will I ever pretend to be the cleanest person in the world, but when I know someone is coming to my house, I try like hell to clean my house up. I have gone to installs where the house is immaculate, and the customer has a little child, with some toys scattered throughout the living room, and they appologise for the house being so messy, and then I have walked into a house where every step you take you run the risk of breaking your ankle on the garbage in it, and there is a narrow path running from room to room, and not a f**king word. Look, you know WHEN we are coming to your house, if you feel you cant clean your sh*t hole up in that time, ask for a later date to give you some time. Like Today for example, I had an install out on the north side, I wont say where since some people for Directv may see this post, and wont want to go out there if they may get the job (incidentally, I am taking that day off to ensure I dont get the Work order) But I knocked on the door, this guys brother who is dying from cancer, answers the door in a wheelchair, and it was like a wall of sh*t hit me as he opened the door. I did walk in the house, and it was destroyed. Garbage everywhere, and the smell of crap is still in my nose, seven hours later. I will spare you all the details, but the 'cleanest' spots in the house were where the TV's had been pushed away from the wall.
I had to call the customer up, and inform him I could not do the install because of the Fecal mater and the refuse in the house. I am not sure, but I think I was more embarressed for having had to say that then the customer was for having the house in that state. If I were to take a guess, the house had to have been close to 3000 square feet, if not a bit more...usable space for humans, less than 1000. and thats being generous. I really felt terrible for telling this guy I couldnt do the job. I almost did the install anyway. almost. But I have gotten sick for doing that, missed work, and those of you that remember, had a DISGUSTING eye infection.
I dont know if this solves anything, but I feel a bit better for having let it out. So please, I honestly could care less if you sit on the couch and sh*t yourself 18 hours a day, but for the 1-3 hours I may be in your house, could you please maybe clean it up for me so I dont get some wierd disease or Staff infection and lose time off, or end up with hepatitus?
Mar 6, 2008 7:11 PM
This has been bugging me for a whileso, this isnt really a drunken rant, I am neither drunk nor ranting. For those of you that have been out of the loop for a bit, or on another planet, I work for Directv, I am an Installer, I have a good job, I enjoy it. Most of the time.
There are moments, when I feel just terrible about the situations that I am placed in as an Installer. some are just embarrassing, like the porno that 'accidentally' gets started while I am right next to the TV. Or the half naked women, AND men. Quite scarey that some people just dont care. Dont get me wrong, I appreciate the women, trying to flirt and all, but there comes a point in life when you just need to keep the canvas covered. And I wont even start on the guys. I may need Therapy by the time I stop installing.
Ok, Funny stuff aside.
There are times, when you go to an install, people are barely just getting by, if not sliding down. Or Getting TV for their Dying brother, sister, father, daughter, etc, and your heart just breaks and I do what ever I can, If not more to make sure they are happy, I couldnt tell you how many free wall fishes, Pole mounts, mirrors, extra lines etc I have run for those situations, and leave wishing I could do more. Now, I know I dont have the most important job in the world, I am not a Doctor, a lawyer, fireman, police officer. I dont send someone into space and I am not in Iraq protecting someone. But for someone who cannot leave their bed because they are dying and the TV is the only thing that gets them through, and they smile and thank me from the bottem of their heart, it makes me feel good, like I did something special for them.
There are those times, and then there are these times as well. I have done installs in multi million dollar homes, and I have done installs in homes that are worth less than $1000. Sparta Georgia stands out in my mind, some of the 'homes' there were just...they just...I cant think of any other way to put this than to just say all I wanted to do was just scream at these people saying you need to do something OTHER than watch TV. Your young, healthy, etc, get a f**king job, do something with your life. And then there are the kids. I love children, I think eventually, if I can ever settle down, I would make a good father. I have gone on installs, where from the moment, I walked in the door, to the moment I walked out, I had a shadow, a little human, just asking questions, wanting to help, excited like it was christmas day that they were getting Directv, I have gotten hugs, Tears, smiles, missing tools, been called Daddy (that was a bit uncomfortable, especially since they actually looked a little like me, but I Did not know the mother) And I have seen some things that would break your heart as well, like an install I did I would say almost 2 years ago. I dont think the boy was more than 9 or 10 and he slept in his parents bathroom. Yes I still have the pictures. It is hard to describe how I felt when I found that out. Or that he was embarressed, when he said he cleaned his room as best as he could for me to put a reciever in there for him. There were urine stains on the matress, considering the toilet was right next to the matress I can understand why, and cockroaches.
Now, I dont, nor will I ever pretend to be the cleanest person in the world, but when I know someone is coming to my house, I try like hell to clean my house up. I have gone to installs where the house is immaculate, and the customer has a little child, with some toys scattered throughout the living room, and they appologise for the house being so messy, and then I have walked into a house where every step you take you run the risk of breaking your ankle on the garbage in it, and there is a narrow path running from room to room, and not a f**king word. Look, you know WHEN we are coming to your house, if you feel you cant clean your sh*t hole up in that time, ask for a later date to give you some time. Like Today for example, I had an install out on the north side, I wont say where since some people for Directv may see this post, and wont want to go out there if they may get the job (incidentally, I am taking that day off to ensure I dont get the Work order) But I knocked on the door, this guys brother who is dying from cancer, answers the door in a wheelchair, and it was like a wall of sh*t hit me as he opened the door. I did walk in the house, and it was destroyed. Garbage everywhere, and the smell of crap is still in my nose, seven hours later. I will spare you all the details, but the 'cleanest' spots in the house were where the TV's had been pushed away from the wall.
I had to call the customer up, and inform him I could not do the install because of the Fecal mater and the refuse in the house. I am not sure, but I think I was more embarressed for having had to say that then the customer was for having the house in that state. If I were to take a guess, the house had to have been close to 3000 square feet, if not a bit more...usable space for humans, less than 1000. and thats being generous. I really felt terrible for telling this guy I couldnt do the job. I almost did the install anyway. almost. But I have gotten sick for doing that, missed work, and those of you that remember, had a DISGUSTING eye infection.
I dont know if this solves anything, but I feel a bit better for having let it out. So please, I honestly could care less if you sit on the couch and sh*t yourself 18 hours a day, but for the 1-3 hours I may be in your house, could you please maybe clean it up for me so I dont get some wierd disease or Staff infection and lose time off, or end up with hepatitus?
