[ZoomerCretin]

His experiences are completely alien now and not reproducible today.

How is it possible to get any blue collar job at all without extensive training and certifications on your own time and with your own money in that very specific field?

How is it possible to not only be able to support your family on 3 working days per week, but to find a boss willing to hire you as a part time worker for what seems like a high wage?

How was he able to seemingly be unaffected by frequent job hopping and employment gaps that today seem to be as disadvantageous as having face tattoos?

My own grandfather told me stories of lying about knowing how to drive a tractor-trailer, and learning on the job. Now we have licensing, background checks, reference checks, and all manner of ladder-pulling that is leaving the younger generation without the same opportunities.

Another factor that is overlooked is the tradeoff between interest rates and employment. The Federal Reserve, by law, must target maximum employment first, and then 3% inflation second. It flagrantly disobeys this law with zero consequences. For the first time since the 70s or 90s, we had a job market that favored employees, and all levels of government treated it like a policy emergency to stop immediately. https://x.com/mucha_carlos/status/1791621965343560152

[creer]

And yet so many people do it. Really.

Many stories tell that one secret is "showing up". For many jobs, the boss has a long list of ideal requirements. Even a retail manager would loooooove to find someone with solid experience and recommendations (and is a buddy, jk, or am I?). Anyway. And then also keeps around people who simply reliably show up.

[ZoomerCretin]

We're talking past each other. You're talking about retaining people already hired or simply rehiring people.

I'm talking about the ability to get a job in the first place. Employers are spoiled for choice since 2008, and their requirements genuinely are hard unless you happen to know someone. Your experience in tech is an outlier. Your experience outside of tech in your state and your city is vastly different from my state and my city.

[globalnode]

this is sadly true. as much as i "want" the old stories like OP to be true now (they may still be in rural areas i suspect), those times are basically over. i suppose one could do jobs like fruitpicking (totally unskilled) or other things like that but those employers dont want someone fluffing around for 3 days a week they want your life

[neaanopri]

Running a "guy with a truck" business is great for working 3 days a week, if you can make the finances work. Simply ... only accept 3 jobs a week!

You just have to be a freelancer (and all that entails), and be able to live on a very low income.

[creer]

You don't think there is demand for people willing to work weekends in jobs like retail, hotels, moving, entertainmnent, teaching?

[failrate]

I mean, I could probably get you a job washing dishes in 15 minutes. You are not picky, are you? Labor Ready is always hiring.

[ZoomerCretin]

What city is this in? What's the pay rate? What does a bedroom go for on Craigslist in the area?

[Der_Einzige]

The problem with allowing "too many" people to have "too much" money is that suddenly rich people have to gasp wait in line for things!

I guarantee you that a non zero amount of thought like this is in the hearts of folks making rate cut/hike decisions.