ancona
Praying Mantis
Every four or five years the Firm buys me a new vehicle, so this year was the one. Usually I buy a nice pick up truck with a full back seat, but I opted instead for an SUV. It seems as though as the years go by, I spend far more time driving and staring at my windshield than I do loading stuff in the back to go and install remediation systems and the like. In fact, I only used it twice in four years, so I opted for something that got great mileage rather than buy something that I "might" need.
I got a 2015 Honda CR-V that gets an average of 30 miles per gallon, so that is a bit more than double what the Nissan Titan got.
ffftt:
It's an extremely comfortable ride, and since I got all the bells and whistles, it will be more fun to travel in as well. This was also the first time I was able to sign the company check I used to pay for the thing, which was pretty cool all by itself. I have to say that having the Firm pay for my wheels and my gas is a true blessing, since they also cover all maintenance and repairs. When I add up the whole thing over time, I am saving a huge amount of money on transportation and insurance.
And to think, we started providing our folks with vehicles because of government requirements. Since we drive on and around incredibly sensitive areas, like launch pads, ancillary launch facilities and whatnot, we cannot drip oil......period......and we have to have one million dollar liability insurance, in case someone fucks up some space hardware. It was simply easier to go and buy a fleet of F-150 pick-ups and deploy them, rather than have a hodge-podge of individuals that may or may not make timely insurance payments or car maintenance. :flail:
Starting in 2003, I went from getting a regular fleet truck to being given the opportunity to go and choose my own vehicle, and I was given a larger budget as well. This year, the budget was 40 thousand, but I only used 33,500. This year, we decided that I didn't need a truck if I didn't want one, since I am mostly a project design engineer and don't really spend lots of time towing things or hauling stuff anymore. It's nice actually, except the feeling that my ass is way too close to the road. I am so used to being 30 inches off the road that getting in to and driving a SUV was quite interesting. Actually, my other car is a GMC Envoy, and it sits even higher than my new one.
Oh well, I'm sure I'll get used to it, after all it's brand new and only has 14 miles on it. Either way, a new car and a fat bonus are always welcome in Anconaland!
I got a 2015 Honda CR-V that gets an average of 30 miles per gallon, so that is a bit more than double what the Nissan Titan got.
ffftt:It's an extremely comfortable ride, and since I got all the bells and whistles, it will be more fun to travel in as well. This was also the first time I was able to sign the company check I used to pay for the thing, which was pretty cool all by itself. I have to say that having the Firm pay for my wheels and my gas is a true blessing, since they also cover all maintenance and repairs. When I add up the whole thing over time, I am saving a huge amount of money on transportation and insurance.
And to think, we started providing our folks with vehicles because of government requirements. Since we drive on and around incredibly sensitive areas, like launch pads, ancillary launch facilities and whatnot, we cannot drip oil......period......and we have to have one million dollar liability insurance, in case someone fucks up some space hardware. It was simply easier to go and buy a fleet of F-150 pick-ups and deploy them, rather than have a hodge-podge of individuals that may or may not make timely insurance payments or car maintenance. :flail:
Starting in 2003, I went from getting a regular fleet truck to being given the opportunity to go and choose my own vehicle, and I was given a larger budget as well. This year, the budget was 40 thousand, but I only used 33,500. This year, we decided that I didn't need a truck if I didn't want one, since I am mostly a project design engineer and don't really spend lots of time towing things or hauling stuff anymore. It's nice actually, except the feeling that my ass is way too close to the road. I am so used to being 30 inches off the road that getting in to and driving a SUV was quite interesting. Actually, my other car is a GMC Envoy, and it sits even higher than my new one.
Oh well, I'm sure I'll get used to it, after all it's brand new and only has 14 miles on it. Either way, a new car and a fat bonus are always welcome in Anconaland!
