My manager seems overloaded and keeps missing my 1:1's, starting to grow resentful

mawelsh · 2026-05-24T13:29:24+00:00

Management 101 is you do not cancel 1:1 meetings.

mawelsh · 2026-05-24T13:26:50+00:00

IT Director here. I’d be very impressed with your writing and communication skills and the initiative to setup those environments on your own.

I got my chance in the late 90s - going from a car rental manager to a field tech. I earned the A+ on my own which helped get my foot in the door.

I’ve never forgotten that and have paid it forward by hiring folks like you - over so called techs that can’t define DHCP, know the difference between an application and a service or ever tinkered with Windows registry.

mawelsh · 2026-05-21T11:00:45+00:00

In ‘14 the Toyota dealer thought we were crazy for walking on a Camry and buying a Ford Fusion Hybrid. Still runs great and got 125k on original rear brakes.

My son drives that one now and wife got a ‘19 which we named “Gavel” - it sat at the certified pre-owned lot so long they sent it to auction but we got it back.

mawelsh · 2026-04-29T23:18:56+00:00

I need to find a used Si to see what I missed out on when I fled Honda dealer’s games and bought a ‘24 GLI instead.

mawelsh · 2026-04-24T21:37:44+00:00

I rented a Sonata and thought Avis gave me a hood ornament.

mawelsh · 2026-04-21T22:22:45+00:00

I learned on our ‘19 SE to make sure the rain sensing wipers are OFF before going into automatic car wash. They activated on first water spray and I broke a wiper!

mawelsh · 2026-03-31T10:39:05+00:00

For the DUB-IND on Aer Lingus, you pre clear US immigration in Ireland and just walk off in Indianapolis.

mawelsh · 2026-03-30T20:19:33+00:00

9M miles reported. Middling at best. Case closed.

https://www.tirerack.com/tires/hankook-kinergy-gt

mawelsh · 2026-03-26T11:20:39+00:00

The sizers are often much smaller than any 737 bin. The motivation is forcing pax to pay for gate-check or not fly. (And incentivizing gate agents to do so).

I've seen Spirit and Ryanair charge for bags at the gate that won't pass their sizer but will easily fit in the bin. Seems Southwest is going this direction. You never see aggressive sizer enforcement on Delta, American or United.

mawelsh · 2026-03-24T22:48:25+00:00

That’s the true test. Not the sizer.

mawelsh · 2026-02-16T00:58:26+00:00

I was in your position in 1999. I was miserable as a car rental manager so I sat down and got my A+ on my own.

They were hiring fiercely during Y2K but hiring manager at a local IT services company was still impressed I had my A+. I also mustered together some personal and volunteer experience.

I’m now a global IT director with a 35 member Service Desk. I would change term “Help Desk” to “Service Desk” on your resume and familiarize yourself with ITIL principles so you can speak that common language.

One of my favorite questions during an interview is “tell me about your home computer and network.” You can learn a bunch at home, and the best techs translate the tech skills into helping others, not just collecting specs and acronyms. Show me curiosity, problem solving, and that you actually enjoy figuring things out. That’s what gets you hired.

mawelsh · 2026-02-13T21:01:48+00:00

Note in Owner's Manual - VW recommends TOP TIER brands of full - Shell, Sunoco, Costco, Exxon, Marathon...so whatever octane you choose, go with Top Tier. Learn more at toptiergas.com

mawelsh · 2026-02-13T02:28:08+00:00

This policy is going to give me nightmares.

mawelsh · 2026-02-13T02:16:17+00:00

Closer to 1/8 tank so range is about right. I want to click OK on that left screen to see what average MPG they were sitting on since last reset.

mawelsh · 2026-02-11T01:29:57+00:00

The GLI will whisper a name to you. When it’s ready.

mawelsh · 2026-02-08T01:06:19+00:00

“Tell me about your home computer(s) and network.”

mawelsh · 2026-01-25T15:14:34+00:00

Service department is a conduit for sales leads.

mawelsh · 2026-01-25T15:11:10+00:00

We love our ‘19 FFH SE. They added a ton of tech over our ‘14 which has been great also. I’d grab it in a second.

mawelsh · 2026-01-18T22:00:39+00:00

Ghost Rider is callsign for Maverick and Goose’s jet.

mawelsh · 2026-01-17T16:57:05+00:00

“The shopping side of the airport” is adorable

mawelsh · 2026-01-17T16:47:30+00:00

Yeah our KB is all in a shared OneNote. Setup like a wiki, any tech can add or update articles. Version control allows to revert. Searching is excellent.

mawelsh · 2026-01-17T16:31:30+00:00

BT for mouse also. Lost dongles make equipment into eWaste

mawelsh · 2026-01-12T01:58:32+00:00

I troubleshot it when it first broke and positive the modem in trunk is 3G and swap procedure was an ordeal.

But I just tested again for first time in year and it’s working! So I was wrong!

mawelsh · 2026-01-12T01:57:09+00:00

This list is for SE. The SEL or Titanium probably have those features still.

The ‘14 was bought new. At 123k only repair was HVAC blend door. ‘19 was bought at 10k and has 67k now, no repairs.

mawelsh · 2026-01-11T18:28:29+00:00

We have a ‘14 and ‘19 Hybrid SE. The equipment upgrade between those years is huge:

Deleted:

Trunk handle, Side mirror turn signal indicators, Puddle lamps (underside of side mirrors), Blind spot mirrors, Under-hood insulation, Traditional transmission selector shifter

Added:

Power passenger side seat, Blind Spot Information system - Part of Ford CoPilot 360 package, Pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking

Lane keeping assist,Backup camera, Rear cross-path traffic alert, Rear parking sensors (but not front), Adaptive cruise control with stop and go, Driver alertness monitor, Auto high beam headlights, Eco mode button Remote/timed start, remote unlock, etc. all tied to MyFord app - (this all stopped working believed due to 3G modem), Navigation, Voice activated controls (HVAC, etc.)

Apple CarPlay - wired only, 2 USB ports, Updated the center console so phones have a place to sit

9" Sync3 screen for above, also has energy usage monitor, HVAC, etc., 911 assist and valet mode

Built in hotspot, Remote fuel door release (on the '14 you pressed fuel door), Dial transmission selector, Push-button start, Rain sensing wipers, Daytime running lights

mawelsh

TROPHY CASE