12/30/2013- Just Get EZ-Pass Already
"Sitting in a booth all day collecting money is a waste of human capability. It’s mind-numbingly boring and horrible to make people do that. These jobs need to go away."
Let's first address the Pa. Turnpike issue
The Pennsylvania Turnpike employs 622 toll collectors who average $23k a year. I'm sure most of these workers don't consider themselves having a "horrible"job which allows them to put food on their table. One man's meat is another man's poison. If Jon thinks it's "a waste of human capability/mind-numbingly boring" who's he to determine what's beneath someone else's station in life? The statement is rather elitist don't you think?
Let's take a look into the turnpike's finances regarding these 622 jobs. Taking the $23k a year average per worker, it costs the turnpike $14.306 million a year to pay these salaries. According to the turnpike itself they expect to bring in a gross operating revenue of $832.064 Million in 2013. Doing the math, the salaries represent little more than 1.7% of the gross revenue.
What this says to me is a simple increase of only 1.7% alone would have paid for all the toll collectors salaries entirely. Yet the state raised tolls by 12% for cash customers. Apparently Pennsylvania would prefer to get rid of all 622 workers by 2018 rather then let them keep their jobs by raising tolls less then two cents on the dollar.
Now Let's Address The Issue Of Lousy Jobs
Referencing the information below, my wife worked in retail sales all her life ($25.9k). I worked in production ($28.87k). Both these "..waste of human capability. It’s mind-numbingly boring and horrible to make people do that.." jobs enabled us to pay off our home in 12 years. Raise three children and always afford two cars. Either of us having just one of those "crappy" jobs wasn't enough to make ends meet, but combined we carved out a pretty good living for ourselves.
Jon if your too good for those jobs.. great for you. But I see no reason for you to continue advocating for the elimination of them because you feel they are beneath other people. People who are willing to do what it takes. Even if they should feel their job is "mind-numbingly boring and horrible" they go out everyday not because they always want to, but it is what they have to do to support themselves and their families.
Please get off your high horse. No job is a crap job that pays the bills. Whether it's in mines, picking apples, raking lawns or cleaning toilets. If everyone felt as you who'd be left to clean, cook, repair or do all the other things you depend on (since obviously your not going to do them).
Further References
PA. Turnpike's Gross Income 2nd Highest In The Nation
PA. Turnpike’s revenue is up 7.3% over a year ago
Toll Road News.com
2012- Gross Operating Revenue- $803,888 Million
2013- Gross Operating Revenue- $832,064 Million
2014- Gross Operating Revenue- $871,102 Million
http://www.paturnpike.com/financial/pdf/PTC_Fiscal_2014_Act44_Financial_Plan.pdf
$23k- Average Toll Collector Salary at Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission
$30k- New Jersey Turnpike Authority Toll Collector
$40k- MassDOT Toll Collector
http://www.careerbliss.com/jobs/toll-collector/salaries/
2012 Median Wages In Pennsylvania For..
$26.26K- Building And Grounds Cleaning And Maintenance
$28.44k-$35.80K- Production Workers
$35.29K- Bus Drivers
$32.79k- Delivery Drivers
$23.15k- Taxi Drivers
$35.47- Construction Laborers
$26.19K -Retail Salespersons
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_pa.htm
2012 Median Wages In The Lehigh Valley For..
$26.26K- Building And Grounds Cleaning And Maintenance
$26.7k-$28.87K- Production Workers
$27.71K-$36.91K- Bus Drivers
$32.16k- Delivery Drivers
$23.45k- Taxi Drivers
$31.86- Construction Laborers
$25.95K -Retail Salespersons
http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_10900.htm
The real reason to get rid of these jobs and fully automate tolling is that traffic congestion is an underrated drag on the economy. All that time people have to spend waiting in line instead of working or having fun adds to commute times, and takes away from time spent being productive (again, not just working, but enjoying life). Nobody likes sitting in traffic. But we do have to toll highways to manage the demand for road space. It's not a tax just for raising money, it's an important way to keep traffic flowing by deterring some people from driving, and nudging them to use transit instead. That's why moving everyone to EZ Pass matters. The gain to the economy from eliminating this one source of traffic congestion will easily be worth more to the economy than the 700 toll booth operator jobs. And we don't have to feel too bad about those jobs going away because they are horrible jobs. They're not just beneath me, they're beneath everyone. People used to stand on assembly lines physically putting together trinkets with their hands. Those jobs sucked too and it's good they're gone now. We should continually be trying to automate the worst jobs and get people into better more enjoyable jobs. It's not like that's just a throwaway line for me either - I write about the importance of returning the economy to full employment and raising the minimum wage all the time. No contradiction there.
ReplyDelete" The real reason to get rid of these jobs and fully automate tolling is that traffic congestion is an underrated drag on the economy"
DeleteCould just as easily automated cash collections as forced EZPass down peoples' throats who only use the pike once a year or so. Why should I half to spend over a half a hundred for a once a year trip? Why should Pa. have access to my $15,000 line of credit or checking account? Why should Pa. collect and sit on $10-$35 in advance before it' even used for tolls?
"The gain to the economy from eliminating this one source of traffic congestion will easily be worth more to the economy than the 700 toll booth operator jobs."
Not to the families depending on these collectors. This affects a hella' lot more then just 622 workers!
"nudging them to use transit instead"
Have to seen the shitty bus schedule from Allentown to Philly? How do you suppose you'd "nudge" the two of us, my daughter and her babies to take the bus to Wildwood, NJ once a year with all our baggage and no legal baby seats/carriers on the bus? First of all there is no bus service to Wildwood. Second Where the hell would I leave my car... 4th and Hamilton.. I THINK NOT! Nor taking a city bus to the intercity bus to Wildwood (that doesn't exist) would be an option either.
" They're not just beneath me, they're beneath everyone"
Apparently they are not "beneath everyone". So now you speak for "everyone"? Certainly not me! No wonder the younger generation can't find jobs and live at home with mom and pop if they share your views.
"People used to stand on assembly lines physically putting together trinkets with their hands. Those jobs sucked too and it's good they're gone now."
DeleteSo what your saying having no opportunity for a income is better then "putting together trinkets". Who the hell are you to say people shouldn't be allowed to because you think "Those jobs sucked too"?
Just how spoiled are you that you feel you can afford to blow off any kind of income other then one that meets your criteria (whatever the hell that may be) for yourself or anyone else for that matter?
Nobody's forcing you to take the jobs that you feel "sucked too", but for God's sake why are you so determined to deny others? What's the hell is the matter with you!