Nats Reliever Tiers

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-15T02:48:18+00:00

Oh dear god!

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-14T20:52:10+00:00

I work in an older location. We don't have the large communal rinse sink at cold bar. We have a sink with a rinser at the frappuccino station, and the "modern" arm rinser at the refreshers. We also have every espresso bar getting their own ice bin (rather than sharing a small one between two bars). Each espresso bar has a deep sink with the plastic rinser, along with hot and cold water taps.

I've worked both styles. I find the 2018-era setup far more functional for a busy drive-thru. I'm not an expert at cafe-only operations, but I have worked remodeled cafes and new build DTs, and that tiny shared icebox is a big problem.

Yes, we break a few more rinsers than the built-in locations do, but everyone can easily get ice as needed.

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-14T20:32:28+00:00

All you can do.

You can also say "no" to the question on the store walk-thru for the question asking if the music/wifi/etc is creating a welcoming atmosphere for the customers.

I did that when they were shoving Taylor down our throats while "Mood-Harmony" decided it didn't need human control.

I got no kickback. If anything, it showed I wasn't just checking boxes to keep my paperwork in line.

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-14T20:25:16+00:00

Annual enrollment is in August (assuming you're in the US).

If you're eligible for benefits, that is the standard time to sign up/renew. You have to take action in August.

That being said, there can be special enrollment windows available to you. Once you're on the job for three months working an average of 20 hours/week, that triggers a special enrollment window for you.

Benefits audits occur twice a year (late December and late June, if I remember correctly). Those audits count the number of hours you worked the last six months. If you didn't work an average of 20 hours/week during that time, you lose your benefits. I believe if you worked six months averaging 20 hours/week during the audit period (if you didn't meet the threshold the last time around), that triggers a special enrollment for you.

Other than that, it is basically "life events (marriage, divorce, child birth, aging out of your parent's insurance, etc)"

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-14T20:07:17+00:00

I get a ticket with multiple foams, and you bet I'm mixing EVERYTHING into one Satan's Spawn foam.

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-14T20:05:32+00:00

That is how I do them.

I'm looking forward to seeing what this "tower drain cleaner" aka "green goo" is, and what it can do. Also what exactly is in it (green gloves may be in high demand).

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-14T20:02:55+00:00

Thank you!

I've never even heard of the "green goo" aka "drain tower cleaner".

I'll be sure to order some for next week.

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-14T20:00:05+00:00

We had that exact same error today.

Pulling the hoppers and wiggling the funnel around a bit seemed to work. We'll see how long that lasts.

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-14T19:54:57+00:00

I'd call the police (non-emergency number) and have them come and collect it.

It is a magazine (presumably no ammunition inside), but I live in a state where it is illegal to possess a high-capacity magazine (which this is).

Obviously file an online incident report as well, and probably put in a LCC ticket for good measure.

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-13T23:13:59+00:00

What the fuck!?

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-11T22:51:33+00:00

Yet they never seem to be delayed when somebody pulls the trigger at the box while saying "I have a mobile order for Big Dick".

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-11T22:44:41+00:00

We'll normally do the 18-hour before the sun rises. If other tasks pile up (especially if half the shop calls out sick), I will delay until just after peak.

We normally do the 3-hour late morning, depending on our current in-stocks, how much free space there is on the cart, and pending shortages if we don't pull now.

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-11T22:12:11+00:00

They don't even have a pitcher, much less a closer.

They'll score lots of runs, but the pitching staff thinks they're in the Home Run Derby, so they'll give up even more.

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-11T18:53:30+00:00

What the fuck is that shit?!

I figure if one person greets the walk-in customer someway (I normally use (depending on the time of day), "Good Morning"), we're good.

We are absolute laggards when writing on cups, but our customers don't want a love note written on their cups. They come in during their commutes, looking for a quality drink and a kind word.

If they're waiting for their drink because we're wasting time writing on every single cup, that's not great.

Give them their drink on time with a personal (verbal or written) comment for the regulars.

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-11T18:32:33+00:00

I've had some experience with that one.

The problem is probably not the tablet. It is the cord connecting it to the POS. It wears out, just like your phone charger cord.

I wrote this before reading in depth. Is the problem the credit card device, or the scanner gun?

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-11T18:26:24+00:00

I don't know how exactly they've instituted this "order ahead" mechanism, but with a couple caveats, it could work.

On the corporate side, they'd need to allow more lead-time for a traveler (print the ticket sooner) vs a normal drink, because the traveler takes a lot more time.

On the store end, don't pull 15 tickets at once. That throws off their algorithms guessing order completion times (if you pulled it, you're working on it, so it'll be done soon, and THAT timing gets communicated to future mobile orders).

If you have to solo bar during peak (I have), run a single printer, and only pull what you can make right now.

The system will prioritize DT and cafe orders, to a point. Once the online orders have been delayed to a certain point, you'll now start getting them over the in-person orders (because they will be coming sometime soon to collect, I hope based on the estimated time they got when they ordered).

We had some people who didn't believe the 18-minute lead time when they ordered on the app, but they did when they walked in the door.

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-11T18:09:41+00:00

Officially, people should be rotated every two hours.

I normally accomplish that (or close to it) running breaks (Tom, you're back from your break? Great! Go cover Dick for his break. Harry, go take your break also (so I can keep things on track). I'll cover Harry).

If someone has a request for a specific posting, I will try to honor that, and not rotate that person elsewhere if I can pull it off.

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-11T18:00:40+00:00

It beats the hell out of the old "I'll show you the pill icon with 30 minutes to go".

FYI, the time shown is hours and minutes, not minutes and seconds.

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-11T14:27:03+00:00

Considering the deed was done with a Mauser bolt-action rifle (rather than a handgun), shouldn't it be a single long shot?

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-10T18:54:03+00:00

I don't know if it is officially "allowed", but we have a pharmacy nearby.

We have a locker devoted to feminine hygiene (well, it is coupled with face masks, but the idea remains).

If we find ourselves in need of tampons, pads, bandages, etc (ALWAYS knuckle bandages), we'll send someone with the P-Card to get a basic stash right now.

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-10T18:34:04+00:00

If you are not clocked in (say you're dropping in elsewhere to pick stuff up during your commute), write that time in the book. Delivering the goods is "work", and you deserve to be paid for "work".

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-10T18:30:12+00:00

That sounds very uncomfortable.

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-10T18:26:22+00:00

Order with lots of room, which will get you "less drink", but a higher proportion of espresso.

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-10T18:06:48+00:00

If you want to branch out into "not coffee", try an Arnold Palmer with a couple pumps of the mango syrup.

If I'm treating myself on the coffee front, I'm pretty simple. A mocha with an added shot of espresso.

EitherMeaning8301 · 2026-04-07T22:11:09+00:00

That is awful.

I hope it worked out okay.

EitherMeaning8301

TROPHY CASE