[TheForge] Did I miss anything???

[Ray Miller]

Hey Guys,
I just finally got back on theforge. I was laid off at GE two weeks ago,
and it took until today to get set back up again. I was going through
iron mongering withdrawal. Now, for those of you who do not know anyone
directly impacted by 9/11, you can say you know me.

GE Aircraft Engines is downsizing big time due to the loss of business,
and their commitment to keep the stockholders happy by meeting profit
forecasts. They are looking at a 25% reduction of sales in both 2002 and
2003, and modest expectations of a turnaround in the business in 2004.
They do not really expect to return to pre-9/11 sales levels until 2005.
In any event I have to admit to being lazy the first two weeks. Sleeping
in, reading the paper in the morning. I had been getting up at 5:00 AM
for work almost every morning since 1978! It's actually kind of nice
getting up when it's light out.

I am working on projects in the shop during day light hours for a
change. That's also kind of nice. And the job hunt is taking up far more
time daily than I like. The severence package given my years of service
will keep me solvent for some time, so not to worry. After all I am a
metal monger and we don't let anything get us down.

Ray Miller
Cincinnati