It's the Economy stupid!

[Vet4jdc]

So....I've noticed a little bit of a pick-up in my line of work. Architecture, Engineering and Construction. Is the economy really getting better or am I just wishing?

How are things looking for the economic future in your area?

[DropTheTop]

Not so great here. Not a lot on the books going into next year, no raises for the last three years, no Christmas bonus this year (it was lousy anyway, but still), insurance benefits are changing for the worse . . .

[Y2Kvert4me]

Midwest, metals supply and machining biz....erratic and very unpredictable.

Slow all year, currently have many ppl laid off.
Sept and Oct got quite busy, brought ppl back on to get the work out, then Nov, nothing. ______ Those folks laid off again.

Things seem to be picking up again for Dec, but who really knows if it's another intermittent spurt or what. This usually is our slow season,but when when the rest of the year is slow, it's tough to have a reference.

But I do know it's been the worst year ever. I've worked there 23 years, and feel fortunate to still have a job at this point.

[Sneaks]

THings are still chitty here. Nothing seems to be getting any better.

[DaveK88]

Business was very soft the last quarter of last year and the first 8 months of this year.

Business has picked up for me so far this quarter. Store traffic and sales are nicely ahead of last year. Consumer credit still sucks, just can't get anyone bought since the finance companys now only want to take people with a credit rating of 720 or above.

[Munch]

Things are doing good for us but even when people lose their jobs they still want to watch TV and surf for porn so I don't think it's a good barometer of the economy. We don't get bonuses regardless of how business is.

[Vet4jdc]

What is the "bonus" that you speak of? (haven't had one in over two years)

[Yamma]

I'm also in construction and not seeing any improvement.

[kylebuck]

trucking business isnt really picking up either.