The Replacements
The two best things you can hear while deployed are “You’ve got mail” and “Your replacement has been identified”. Normally, the policy is that you can’t depart until your replacement arrives. Therefore, nobody cares about the replacement’s health more than his Mom and you. And you’re a close second.In most places a few people stay behind because their rotations overlap. These people staying behind have the “corporate knowledge” to pass along to the new people.
And this is where things get interesting.
The people remaining behind often do “The Switch” just prior to the new people arriving. They will switch desks, equipment, rooms, roommates, and other things with the people about to depart and leave the less desirable items for the newbies. Arriving soon in-theater? Expect to get the TV with cable that goes out when the wind blows greater than 10 knots? Roommates with nicknames of “Chimney”, “Francis”, and “The Jackel”. Yours. A main door nearby that shuts with the force of a Bill Parcells’ waistband? Also, yours. A room on the end by the stairwell? Yep, all yours. AC that only works when nobody is in the room? Bring a fan. How about the room with the microwave that would take MacGyver three episodes to fix? Yours too.
I’m hoping to have about 4 days of overlap with my replacement before departing. But if circumstances prevent that, in the words of Motel 6, “We’ll leave the light on for you”. And a continuity book.
Patrick
Today’s Chuck Norris “fact”:
Chuck Norris’ IQ can be expressed simply as a sideways eight.
August 22nd, 2007 at 6:47 am
‘The switch’ sounds like a master plan! Hilarious about the MacGyver rigged microwave. *Smiles* on your departure