I work in a psychiatric hospital. Since it is a hospital with patients who are there 24/7 they need staff there at all times.
We just got about 18-20" of snow here in Columbia MD. I called work to tell them that until the court I live on and the road it is on are plowed I can't go anywhere (the snow is about halfway up the bumper so if I even tried I would certainly be stranded very quickly and might cause exhaust or other damage). Work told me that I absolutely HAD to be there by 3pm. I informed them again that my car simply won't be able to go anywhere on the local roads as they are and all I can promise is I'll come in after the plows come through. They informed me that since night shift can't work 3 shifts, only 2, I have to find some way to get there by 3pm (when the evening shift begins). The 4x4 patrol that most hospitals have to bring stranded staff to work won't come this far (my hospital only sends out 4x4s to people who live within 5 miles, I live 30 miles away). What's more, the state has closed interstates to all but emergency vehicles yet work won't budge- I MUST find a way to get there.
I'm thinking (assuming I don't actually get fired) that I better find a cheap 4x4 sometime in the next few months so that I'm ready next time. I won't have the money to help for this season, but for next year I should probably get a cheap (~$3000) used SUV or 4x4 pick-up so I'm ready for the snow next time. Then again, in MD we only get this kind of snow once every 2-5 years.
I'm pretty "upside down" on my current car, and can't really afford a higher payment (let along higher gas expense due to lower MPG) so I'm not sure I can really afford to trade my current car in on a new or late model SUV. Plus, I love my Hyundai Sonata. It is a 2004 with over 40K miles (thus not worth a lot) and it has so far been the most reliable car I've ever owned. I could maybe see trading it on a used Hyundai Santa Fe, but again, I'm pretty "upside down" (I owe a lot more than it is currently worth). Then again, if I'm fired for being snowed in I won't be shopping for a new car for next time we get a good snow anyway.
This situation definately has me missing the 2 1/2 years I worked in the schools (hint- around here they seem to close schools for the rumor of winter weather). I really don't need this stress.
Anyway, just needed to vent.
Edit:
ARRRGH!!!
I just called the county to get an estimate on time on snow removal- they won't start on residential streets until the snow completely stops, and streets like mine will be at least 16-18hours! I told them of my situation (hospital employee and they are requiring I find SOME way to get there) and asked if there was a way to get my street done quicker. No way, can't be done. I'm not quite sure what I'll do, hopefully they won't actually fire me for being snowed in.