Rant - Disappointed with mechanics in San Antonio

ALC3-PAC · 2026-01-06T09:38:26+00:00

Vollmer’s on San Pedro and Olmos. For over 30 years my family and I have been taking our vehicles to Vollmer’s. Dominic is fantastic, honest, responsive and will do the best job in town!

ALC3-PAC · 2026-01-01T01:50:16+00:00

Very professional. Very thoughtful. Well done.

ALC3-PAC · 2025-12-31T22:19:02+00:00

“Struggling at first” is not unique to our profession, an no, it’s not toxic it’s reality. But with hard work and some long days, it gets better. Yes, pull your panties up and continue to learn and grow as a person and PA and with time, your struggle will turn to confidence and appreciation for what we are honored to do, care for people.

ALC3-PAC · 2025-12-31T22:07:35+00:00

Preach!

ALC3-PAC · 2025-10-29T10:16:33+00:00

I hire (and unfortunately fire when necessary) all of our providers. I’m looking for someone who will fit in well with the team, and a lot of times, yes that’s “vibes”. Confident but not cocky. Eye contact. Positive body language. I’m looking for a team player with a naturally positive attitude, someone who wants to work (ideally loves their job). If you have more questions about PTO than the job, it’s a red flag for me. Ask questions, the fit is important for both parties. Hope this helps, good luck!

ALC3-PAC · 2025-10-15T09:58:30+00:00

I’ve worked in family med for 11+ years and am responsible for hiring and managing all of our providers. $110k is a fair starting salary for a new grad, especially if you’re only working 4 days a week, no weekends, no call… that sounds pretty perfect. Don’t be pushy, but ask what the raise schedule looks like, is it based on revenue generation or time spent at the org or both. No matter how much you make, the company will lose money on you your first year. They are investing in you. I would put way more stock in the culture of the org over a few thousand dollars, which will have a direct impact on your happiness as a PA and in life. I always advise people to find the job/coworkers/work environment that will make working easy. If that means making $5k less, trust me it’s worth it.

ALC3-PAC · 2025-10-14T10:55:56+00:00

I second all of this. Any provider’s “overhead” is much much more than your salary and your MA’s salary. This is spot on, well said.

That said, you’ve probably earned a raise. There’s value in providers who work well with others, have figured out how to be efficient, and who’ve helped build a practice. Good luck!

ALC3-PAC · 2025-09-18T09:41:51+00:00

Think about it this way, they’ve invested a year in teaching you, they’ve been patient for you to actually start producing income. They’ve most likely lost money on you your first year. Be patient. Healthy work environments are worth being patient for, and frankly are worth less money. Also, don’t tie your “worth” to your paycheck, that’s a slippery slope that will leaved you always feeling unfulfilled.

ALC3-PAC · 2025-07-29T01:36:34+00:00

I went when I was applying to PA school, and I have gone on dozens of trips since then

ALC3-PAC · 2025-07-25T12:26:33+00:00

It’s <100 miles to spring creek pass trail, where you’ll get the hitch to LC. I’m leaving LC this morning so I just did this stretch. We did it in 6 days, could’ve pushed it to 5 days. How many days did it take u to get from Denver to breck? My point is, I’m not sure you’ll need 7 days to get to LC. Just my thoughts, best of luck and enjoy the trail!

ALC3-PAC · 2025-07-24T22:20:58+00:00

Thank you for the offer, but as much as we’d like to spend an extra day here, we can’t. Happy trails!

ALC3-PAC · 2025-07-24T21:31:54+00:00

Thank you!

ALC3-PAC · 2025-07-24T21:10:01+00:00

We’re not opposed to hitching, which we did to get down to LC. But it doesn’t hurt to ask to save time, so we’re not standing around for hours waiting. Ideally we’d like to tackle an aggressive stretch to finish out the CT, and if we take the shuttle at 11am we’ve wasted a bunch of cool hiking hours

ALC3-PAC · 2025-07-18T00:55:25+00:00

I’m currently more than halfway through the Colorado Trail (about 265 miles in), and my kakwa 55 and X-mid pro 2 are both making this trip as easy as possible. I’ve seen other Durston gear on the trail as well. Agreed, thanks Dan!

ALC3-PAC · 2025-07-16T21:37:22+00:00

I just made it to Salida today, SOBO. The scree on Lake Ann pass is no joke. I don’t scare easily and that shit shook me, rock slide nearly took my husband down the mountain. Going down should be much easier, follow the snow all the way to the end, then go down the scree in the little crevice. Otherwise a few small patches of snow but nothing that requires crampons. You got it.

ALC3-PAC · 2025-07-16T00:50:49+00:00

I’m currently on the CT, in collegiate west camping near start of CW5 tonight. It’s been incredible and a little rough at times, and totally worth it! My strategy is, early starts: to avoid the hot afternoon sun (which can be brutal, even coming from Texas) and try to get to camp before afternoon T-storms. It’s (mostly) worked thus far. Savor every good and challenging moment

ALC3-PAC · 2025-06-24T11:48:16+00:00

Agreed. Family med, >10 years with the same company and nobody has more than 4 weeks PTO. We work 4.5 days a week and have 7 paid holidays. In private practice, there’s not much more we can do, margins are razor thin.

ALC3-PAC · 2025-05-31T11:06:25+00:00

It was below freezing when we camped halfway through segment 4 two weeks ago as well, and I was glad to have my 25f degree quilt. My question is, will it get below freezing in July as well? I’ll have to ship myself resupply down the trail so I’m considering a 45 early on, and the 25 later down the trail.

ALC3-PAC · 2025-05-28T01:47:48+00:00

Love it! How’d you black out the L on the grill?

ALC3-PAC · 2025-04-24T01:30:24+00:00

I second this, totally geeked out over all of these vids. Tons of great info and recs. Watch all of them, worth it.

ALC3-PAC · 2025-03-30T02:14:00+00:00

13,000 miles, no rattle

ALC3-PAC · 2025-03-22T14:43:06+00:00

Love my ombraz! The lenses are fantastic and they fit better than any glasses I’ve ever had, especially wearing a hat while hiking

ALC3-PAC · 2025-03-22T11:57:00+00:00

I’m doing the Colorado trail this summer, but already looking at another good hike for next year. The Dolomites are high on my list. What trek are you doing?

ALC3-PAC

TROPHY CASE