GULF COAST REDUX

How Bad Are Things Along The Gulf Coast?

Depends on how you look at it.

According to The New York Times in a story that appeared yesterday (11-11-05), jobs are going begging, with companies like Burger King – and they are not alone by any means – offering a $6,000 (no, that is NOT a misprint) signing bonus if you’ll sign on for a year’s work in the New Orleans area.

The largest ship builder in the U.S., Bollinger, has a dozen or so operations spread across the area and, according to the report, had to turn away $700 million in already signed contracts because the company was 600 workers short.

The main reason? FEMA officials list the top three problems in the area as housing, housing and then housing… or more pointedly, a shortage thereof.

So, if you’re planning on heading for the Gulf area to make some money (and if you're young, you should be) … bring a tent AND your own living gear.