As I got a little older my monetary needs were changing. The more my buddies and I wanted to do and experience, the more money we needed. If I did any work for my dad at the store, there was no pay there, it was expected for you to help out. So I started doing all kinds of odd jobs: washed windows, washed dishes, provided manual labor, anything for a buck. Caddying was only good in the summer and we did not have to worry about global warming so we could shovel snow in the winter.
Once I reached the magic age of 16, I was able to apply for the premiere teenagers’ job of the era, McDonalds. This was not an easy place to get hired in 1966. It was a 3 interview process with tests to take at every level. 1 guy would get hired for every 10 that applied. In those days there were no women working there; it wasn’t until about a year later that the first women were hired for the day shift. Anyway, I got the job and I was so proud of myself. I started as a utility guy which meant I did nothing but clean and take out garbage. My starting pay was 65 cents an hour and anything you wanted to eat. The menu was hamburger, fries, or a coke, all 15 cents each. Cheeseburger 20 cents. Shakes were 20 cents.
I moved up to window and taking orders. Next was fries and the top level was grill man. After a few months, I was put on a regular crew. My incitation on the crew consisted of on my first night, the assistant manager dipped some tongs in the fries grease and came up behind you and gripped your arm with them. It only hurt for a couple of days, but you were one of the crew. I spent about a year working there and making my way to grill man. That paid $1.15 an hour.
I went from there to the Shell station on 49th and Broadway. I learned to do oil changes and fix tires and pump gas. There was not any self service in those days. I remember gas as low as 18 cents a gallon when the owner was feuding with the guy down the street. Pete & Snooks pizza was directly across the street. It was great. When we were cooking stuff on the grill at the gas station, we were eating stuff from Snooks. It probably was not very smart to grill at the gas station, but we did not know any better. I made the move to the Shell station for the money. We made a $1.50 an hour there, but we worked for it. In our spare time we also worked at Snooks. Of course we were at Snookys for the food, not the money.
I am going to sign off now and let you know about my Snookys career in the next installment.
Until later…………………………………..Ciao