I contacted Polynesian Adventure Tours and asked if they hired out of state bus drivers. I was surprised when they said yes and enthusiastically applied. I contacted Della in the Maui division who said I would need to get certain papers and certifications that ended up costing me $175. It was a difficult process as I had to wait in Wisconsin for 1 month to get a TWIC card. I flew to Maui on my own money. When I got here I rented what for me was a relatively expensive place so as to be near the work site. The first week I got 17 hours training (even experienced drivers must get training) at $10 an hour, the second 5 hours, the third 15 hours and the fourth I got 4 hours. For 5 weeks after that i didn't get a single hour. I had not even made enough money to cover my first months rent. Tourists were not coming in, but I think they could at least have thrown me some kind of bone to keep me going. I tried talking to the manager, but she doesn't seem to comprehend the difficulty she has led me into. I am having to live off my savings now and a meager unemployment that only covers my basic food and transportation costs. I will be leaving Maui a much poorer man than I came.
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