Winston Wolf, Like many other places my Co. changed its retirement plan "because we are valuable and they don't want us to leave so soon" and I now need to reach age 55 to leave with medical benefits. After 31+ years of working at least 5-10 hours extra every week, and sometimes around the clock, and 60+ hour weeks (for free of course.) you can bet that I believe that I should have my medical when I exit.
I understand the fact that the world has changed, and along with it the rules of the game. But I see that they are now laying off many who haven’t quite yet reached the new finish line, but have passed the old line, and it doesn't sit well.
For now I only have one real option, and I will stick to it for at least 2 more years, if they let me. I am currently trying to position myself for the inevitable pay cut that will occur when I change jobs.
I really miss the work that we used to do, designing product, machines and mechanisms, designing, overseeing the construction of, and troubleshooting automation assembly loops, etc.. It was all very heady, and exciting and it made you feel vital and an important cog in the wheel.
Now we count cables, and structure Bill of Materials, using things that are mainly built overseas.
There weren't enough people who believed that "the giant sucking sound" really would be loss of our jobs and way of life. I’m hopeful that if and when I’ve reached the critical mass that I’ve earned through some pretty tough years that there will be a place for me in some smaller shop that is still doing real design, and parts fabrication.
I’d like to finish my career like I started it. Right now I just feel very removed from what I entered the field for in the first place.
{Edited to add: This write-up sounds like it's a hateful existence. It is not. I work with some fine people, and what we do is a needed task for the company's continued existence.
But it is no longer the type of Engineering/Design work that "tweaks" me, and I miss it. I guess that I am getting old, and grumpy.)