Orientation

So this is where you'll park your car when you show up. Make sure you park in this section- otherwise the Ballard Insurance people will throw a major fit and complain to me that you're taking customer parking spaces. ...as if they even have any customers. I don't care for those guys much, so please don't give me a reason to have to deal with them.

Once you get here, this is the break room. These lockers are for you guys to use so pick one and put your stuff in it or put your stuff on the table. In here we've got a microwave for you to use for your lunch and there's paper plates and some plastic forks and knives in that top locker up there. Right over here we've got the time off slips. If you ever need to request time off I'll need you to fill this sheet out and bring it to me yourself. Make sure you give it to me, because there's a very good chance it will get lost on my desk or disappear if you give it to one of the other managers.

I'm not sure if you're a smoker or not, but if you do like to smoke be sure to go over to the parking lot. The owners used to let people smoke out behind the dumpster back there but for some reason they don't like that anymore. Don't ask me why. Ugh. And definitely don't be smoking in the bathrooms or in the break room. That's a sure way to get written up.

As far as what to wear, here's your uniform. We usually make people tuck in their shirts, but keep this on the down-low: I really don't care either way. I think it's pretty goofy personally. Be sure to wear closed-toed shoes, and always wear jeans or cargo shorts. They're great for working. I prefer darker colors myself because stains don't show up so easily.

Really, really watch what you say and who you say it around. You'll figure out pretty quickly who you can joke with. Not trying to be offensive or anything, but the girls are the ones you've gotta watch out for. Rumors spread like wildfire here and it can get out of hand very quickly. If you want my advice, I'd say that the best way to stay out of trouble is to not associate yourself with it. That's how I do it.

Over here is where you'll be washing cars. Vacuuming them, to be more specific. I'll show you how to do it in a minute. That girl there is our greeter. She's the one who meets the cars as they pull in and sells the car washes. You'll check out what she writes on the ticket that will be on the dashboard to see what service we'll be doing for the wash. And I seriously suggest that you pay attention to what Chelsea says. She's been here seven years and can be a bit snappy at times, but I promise she knows what she's talking about. Don't take it too personally if she gets angry- just take her advice.

Start off by scrubbing the bugs off of the grill and the windshield. There's sponges in those two buckets there and brushes to use if there aren't that many bugs. After you've done that, scrub the rims with the brushes in these smaller buckets here. That'll be all for you on the outside of the car for now. Grab the vacuum and start with the floor mats. Once you've vacuumed them, put them on the seat and vacuum the floor. Be sure to get the seat after the floor as well. After that, move the seat forward and do the back seat. Stuff to remember: be sure to empty trash bags, vacuum out the cupholders and door pockets, and don't forget the trunk. After you've finished that, push the side mirrors in. Be aware of whether they're manual or if there's a button on the inside to fold them in. On a side note, don't vacuum up change or receipts. That's a surefire way to get us yelled at by a customer. The last thing on the checklist is to make sure the windows are up. Not many things get under the customers' skin than their car coming out sopping wet on the inside because of a window down when it went through the wash.

Don't worry about driving the cars up to the tunnel for a few days. We'll have the more experienced guys do that until you're ready.

Last thing, just hang tight until we give you a lunch. There's no set time every day so you'll just get it whenever we get a chance. Also, if it's a slow day we might ask if anybody feels like going home and if you feel like it you're more than welcome to take off. If you want there's also the option to take a second lunch.

That's about all I've got for you. If you need me I'll most likely be up front drying off cars or in the office where I got your uniform. Nice meeting you bud- good luck today.

Peace.