Factory worker who can't afford a car walks 21 miles to work and back every day

Daily Mail (UK) ^ | 3rd February 2015 | James Gordon

[naturalman1975]

For ten years James Robertson hasn't missed a single day of work. What's even more remarkable is that Robertson walks a round trip of 21 miles a day just to get there.

For five days a week, Robertson, 56, trudges from his home in Detroit to his job at the factory where he works in Rochester Hills, Michigan.

He's walked the walk ever since his 1988 Honda Accord quit on him more than 10 years ago.

His job pays him $10.55 an hour, which he claims is not enough for him to buy his own car, but that may well change after well-wishers managed to raise almost $42,000 for him in an online campaign in just hours.

For now though, whatever the weather, Robertson is there, on the job for his 2-10pm shift.

In the city that made the motor car famous, he is without his own four-wheels and there's no decent bus service to get him to where he wants to go, either.

'I set our attendance standard by this man,' said his boss Todd Wilson to the Detroit Free Press.

Wilson is plant manager at high-end plastic moulding specialists, Schain Mold & Engineering. 'I say, if this man can get here, walking all those miles through snow and rain, well, I'll tell you, I have people in Pontiac 10 minutes away and they say they can't get here — bull! He's never missed. I've seen him come in here wringing wet,' said Wilson, 53.

[Svartalfiar]

Yeah, in 2015 you should be able to save up for stuff making 10 bucks an hour...gak

I think some of these people here have absolutely no clue here, or just simple don’t care.

I don't think you have much of a clue. 10 bucks an hour, in a fulltime position, is about $1600/month. (We'll ignore any overtime here for simplicity.) About 10% of that will go to taxes, leaving you with $1440/month. Here in Dallas (decently expensive compared to many places), a cheap apartment will run you about $500, maybe $600 including utilities. That gives you $8-900 to spend on food/save. Unless you eat out all the time, $100 a week can easily feed you. so that leaves a good $400/month or so to save/spend on other stuff. Yea, it may not be the best/easiest way to go, but after ten years you should easily be able to save $10 or 20 thousand. IF you have no drive and stay at your low-paying job the whole time. And yet, Detroit is a lot cheaper, I don't know any other city where you can buy a house for $1.

That said, I don't know his situation yet I don't see how he's that old, been there that long, and is making that little. That part just doesn't add up. Or, as many have said, how he hasn't saved up for a least a bike, or a cheap car.

[dragnet2]

$1440 a month, that leaves a good $400/month to save/spend on other stuff.

Oh sure, he should have no problem saving 400 per month....

(((OMG)))

[mrsmith]

“What’s wrong with him?”

Well, there are many loving, hard-working people who deserve sympathy and understanding.
But not responsibilities or the promotions that come with them.

It’s just a fact of life.

[Vermont Lt]

This is not popular science...this guy seems like a decent enough guy, but not the brightest bulb in the circuit.

The only reason he wouldn’t have done any of these things is that he is happy with his situation.

Or he is stupid.

[JudyinCanada]

That’s what I mean. Is there something wrong that he needs sympathy and understanding? Is there a reason he cannot handle responsibility (even minimal) or promotion? I have jumped to the conclusion that someone who is so diligent to make that trek to and from work would also be a good employee once he gets there.

[mrsmith]

... you want the article to explain this?
I think that would take away from the beauty of the story.

A big hint is there:
Look at how he solved his transportation problem- would you want him solving work problems in such an inefficient, though admirably dogged, way?

[Svartalfiar]

Oh sure, he should have no problem saving 400 per month....
(((OMG)))

No, I'm saying that leaves $400 for him to spend or save, after accounting for his basic needs. Obviously some will be spent on eating out, clothes, other monthly/annual expenses, but even if he still only managed to save $50 a month, he should have around $6000 saved up, not including interest, after ten years. Enough for a down payment on a used car, or to buy something useable. Either he doesn't want one, or spends all his money on something else that he wants more.

[Calvin Locke]

Twenty-one miles each way?

Yeah, I thought that at first glance, but it's got to be round trip. Uphill each way, though, I'm sure.

I was figuring closer to 5mph, at least in clear weather/path.

[dragnet2]

At 1400 a month income and saving 400 of that every month? Bet he saving up for a yacht or airplane. Heck, he should be able to save enough for law school on that kind of money and get his old car fixed.

You should go into financial planning and tell people how easy they got it taking 1400 buck home each month in 2015. Bet if he really squeezed he could save half his income each month!

[dragnet2]

Unless you eat out all the time, $100 a week can easily feed you. so that leaves a good $400/month or so to save/spend on other stuff.

No, I'm saying that leaves $400 for him to spend or save

Which is it?

[Svartalfiar]

Unless you eat out all the time, $100 a week can easily feed you. so that leaves a good $400/month or so to save/spend on other stuff.

No, I'm saying that leaves $400 for him to spend or save

Which is it?

Which is what? Him spending or saving? That's entirely up to him. He has the choice to spend his extra $$, save it, or some combination in between. It's his choice. You don;t understand English very well, do you?

[Svartalfiar]

At 1400 a month income and saving 400 of that every month? Bet he saving up for a yacht or airplane. Heck, he should be able to save enough for law school on that kind of money and get his old car fixed.

You should go into financial planning and tell people how easy they got it taking 1400 buck home each month in 2015. Bet if he really squeezed he could save half his income each month!

No, but he could if he wanted to. That's his money to save or spend on what he wants. And I'm not saying it's easy, but it's liveable. When you don't have much money, you have to actually sit down, look at necessities in your budget, and plan accordingly. Your asshole tone really doesn't help your argument very much. And really makes me wonder if you've ever even had to make a budget before?

[dalereed]

My wife worked for a company for over 20 years and 3 years ago they cut every employees wages 30% and she only makes $10,35/hr now plus they cut out all health insurance and milage pay and some jobs she has to travel 80 miles round trip.

That is forover 20,000 employees.

It was take or leave it.

[dynachrome]

Right sorry to hear that. I have taken cuts in pay in the past and gone without raises. It sux

[dragnet2]

Which is it?

First you suggest someone bringing home 1400 a month can save 400 of that.

Then ya suddenly figured out people have other obvious basic living expenses like food, utilities, health insurance, medical expenses, repairs, clothing, taxes on everything ya buy and on and on, and they you suggested it might be only 50 bucks a month he could save.

Saving 400 per month suddenly goes to 50?

Which is it?

Someone saving 400 per month from 1400 take home would have to be 16 years old, living at mom and dads, where he didn't have pay for anything but fun stuff.

Get real...You clearly do not live in the real world.

[Toespi]

And I heard tonight on the news, that he has never missed a day of work. I would say the employer needs to learn some ethics from the employee.

[dragnet2]

My apologies. I was way too harsh.

[Svartalfiar]

First you suggest someone bringing home 1400 a month can save 400 of that.

And, if you live on bare necessities, you can. I didn't say his only choice was to save all of it.

Then ya suddenly figured out people have other obvious basic living expenses like food, utilities, health insurance, medical expenses, repairs, clothing, taxes on everything ya buy and on and on, and they you suggested it might be only 50 bucks a month he could save.

Did you not read my original post? I mentioned utilities as part of the rent, and then I further mentioned food (at $100/week, which is likely on the high side). And I gave you the $50 number as an example: if he set that little aside, he would still have saved $6,000 that could have gone towards a bike or cheap car.

Get real...You clearly do not live in the real world.

Actually, I used to be in a very similar situation to the one I described. I made $19 an hour but only got 15-30 hours a week. I found a cheap place with a buddy so my rent was $350, $100 for utils, and I had a cheap $1500 car. That I fixed myself when she had issues. I budgeted and didn't eat out much so I could afford $500 in monthly payments for college loans. I didn't have the option to save that, it was a payment due. So yea, I had a 4-5year old laptop, and made cheap food at home. It sucks, but you can easily survive on that amount.

[dragnet2]

First you suggest someone bringing home 1400 a month can save 400 of that.

you can.

Not going to happen. You're clearly 100% detached from reality.

[dragnet2]

BTW, based on your comments, I would not be surprised if you’re one of these employers paying your help late 1980s wages.

It’s a disgrace.