Comments on: So You Want My Job: Road Test Driver

By: marty amoscato

marty amoscato — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 21:53:50 +0000

im 27 i live in queens NY, graduated from shorham-wadingriver with a b.o.c.e.s. deploma for auto mechanics and have a trade school certificate from A.D.I.(automotive diesel institute) i race when i can (drag,drift,motorcross) with my 06 gto. i eat breath and well you get it about pretty much any thing with and engine. i would do anything to have this job…thanks

By: His sister

His sister — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:31:57 +0000

Don’t be fooled by the manly talk — my brother is absolutely devoted to his fabulous wife and adorable daughter!

By: Zack

Zack — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 12:38:17 +0000

http://www.motortrend.com/av/features/112_0908_chevy_corvette_zr1_vs_jet_fighter_video/index.html
Talk about something incredible. Think they’d let a Devil Dog Try it? Lucky guys.

By: DLM

DLM — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:54:43 +0000

It truly is all about balance, between the family and the job. I am not advocating “…submerging your individuality and all your dreams and passions…” or “(becoming) some boring shell of yourself.”

On the continuum from “Devoted Stay at Home Dad” to “totally self indulgent heel,” I would say this example falls a little closer to the latter than the former. The author himself answers that the hardest part of the job is deadlines and to a lessor extent travel. No mention about the family until specifically asked.

I think it would be better to leave all references to the family out of these “My Job” articles. It is pretty obvious that if question 9 were omitted we would know intuitively such a career would be hard on family life. As it is now it just highlights who is really making the sacrifices in order to drive fast cars and travel around the world.

By: Brian Driggs

Brian Driggs — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:59:41 +0000

What a great read. I happened upon this site randomly after someone I follow on Twitter linked me to this “All My Faves” visual blog directory thing. I thought “Art of Manliness” would be all about beer, sports and fart jokes, but I was dead wrong.

Then again, I don’t know much about the site yet. I ended up glued to the very first story I found from start to finish. This was an exceptional read. I tend to run in gear head blogger circles and I know a LOT of people who recognize Mr. St. Antoine’s name and aspire to such careers. The information shared in this interview is just brilliant.

Thanks for putting forth the effort. You’ve got another subscriber now.

By: Murchada

Murchada — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 15:56:57 +0000

DLM, I agree that a man should not pointlessly or foolishly risk his life when he’s got a family to provide for.

I don’t know if this guy was taking insane risks. Yeah, maybe he wasn’t as home as often as he’d like. On the other hand, he was pursuing his passion and earning a living. Sometimes there isn’t a perfect balance.

http://www.scotlandshirt.com

By: Richard Shelmerdine

Richard Shelmerdine — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:20:40 +0000

Hey guys. I quit my job recently at Asda / Walmart to follow my dream which is to write a spirituality / personal development blog. I encourage you guys to do the same. Small steps will do it.

By: Theodore

Theodore — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:48:24 +0000

DLM, getting married and having a family doesn’t being submerging your individuality and all your dreams and passions and sacrificing all of that. There’s no need to kill off your manhood and turn into some boring shell of yourself. Yes you do have to make some sacrifices, but if you can live your dream and you can support your family by doing it, why not go for it? Every man needs to find his own balance. Should men never be businessmen who have to take frequent international trips, or politicians, or film directors, or professional athletes, or archeologists, or astronauts, because they can’t see their family as much as they would like? Should all of those men have given up on their dreams? Were they really self-indulgent? I don’t think you’ve thought through your argument very well.

And this guy isn’t climbing Everest, he’s testing a Hyundai Elentra on a closed track. I think he’s pretty safe.

By: DLM

DLM — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 20:16:29 +0000

Murchada,
My intent was to disagree with the sentiment that to be “manly” we must never stop pursuing our dreams of driving the fastest cars, climbing the ten highest peaks, or any other purely self indulgent quest at the expense of the family. This is especially true if the pursuit puts you at risk for not being able to provide for said family. Think about the true story of the guide in “Into Thin Air” that telephoned his pregnant wife to say good bye while dying on Everest. This was not a “sacrifice” that had to be made.
The life of a Soldier is hardly comparable.

By: Murchada

Murchada — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 17:48:08 +0000

DLM, I don’t totally agree with the sentiment, unless you are talking about this job specifically. Is the life of a soldier self-indulgent because they aren’t around a lot? Sometimes there’s a job to be done and sacrifices have to be made.

http://www.scotlandshirt.com