Injury and Hardship: Working on an Airline Meal Assembly Line

Core Concepts

Working on an assembly line for airline meal preparation was a difficult and unfulfilling job that led to injury, despite the author's previous athletic history.

Abstract

The author describes their experience working on an assembly line for an airline meal catering company shortly after graduating from college. They were desperate for a job and took the only position available, which involved removing pre-packaged meals from a fast-moving conveyor belt and placing them onto trays for transport to airlines.

The author explains that the job was easy at first, but standing for 4 hours next to the conveyor belt became very tiring and unpleasant. The pace of the assembly line was so fast that the author had a hard time keeping up, despite having no prior serious injuries.

The author worked at the company for 6 months and made a little over the minimum wage, but ultimately suffered an injury from the repetitive and physically demanding nature of the work. This experience contrasted sharply with the author's previous athletic background, where they had remained injury-free for many years.

Stats

I played sports from age seven until my first year in college, and I've never had a serious injury.
I took the only job they had. My job was to remove the already packaged food off the conveyor belt and onto the trays to be transported to the airlines.
I worked at the company for six months and made a little over the minimum wage.

Quotes

"I was desperate because I needed a job. I had just graduated with my 3rd degree but didn't have a job. It was either move back home or survive in the city."
"The pace of the assembly went so fast that I had a hard time keeping up."

Key Insights Distilled From

Working on an Assembly Line Wasn’t Fun

by at medium.com 04-15-2024

https://medium.com/illumination/working-on-an-assembly-line-wasnt-fun-24b5e5118c58

Deeper Inquiries

What strategies could have been implemented to make the assembly line work more ergonomic and sustainable for workers?

To make the assembly line work more ergonomic and sustainable for workers, the company could have implemented several strategies. Firstly, they could have provided adjustable workstations to accommodate different heights and preferences, reducing strain on workers' bodies. Additionally, incorporating regular breaks and job rotation to prevent repetitive motion injuries and fatigue would have been beneficial. Moreover, investing in proper training on ergonomics and safe lifting techniques could have helped workers avoid injuries and work more efficiently.

How might the company have better supported and retained employees in physically demanding roles like this one?

The company could have better supported and retained employees in physically demanding roles by offering incentives such as bonuses or rewards for meeting productivity targets while maintaining safety standards. Providing access to healthcare benefits, including physical therapy or chiropractic care, could have helped employees manage and prevent injuries. Moreover, creating a supportive work environment where employees feel valued and heard, with opportunities for advancement and skill development, would have increased retention rates among workers in physically demanding roles.

What broader societal and economic factors contribute to individuals feeling compelled to accept unfulfilling jobs out of desperation, and how can these be addressed?

Several societal and economic factors contribute to individuals feeling compelled to accept unfulfilling jobs out of desperation. Economic instability, lack of job opportunities, and financial pressures can force individuals to take any available job to make ends meet. Additionally, societal expectations and stigmas around unemployment or joblessness can push individuals to accept jobs they find unfulfilling. To address these issues, policies that promote job creation, provide financial support to those in need, and offer retraining programs for new job opportunities can help individuals find more fulfilling and sustainable employment. Additionally, changing societal attitudes towards work and success, emphasizing well-being and personal fulfillment over traditional notions of success, can reduce the pressure to accept unfulfilling jobs out of desperation.