As each way takes around a day or more, I don't imagine it would do your back very much good...

For the same money, or even less, you could fly from STL to TPA. Or STL to MRY or SFO, ONT or SAN, SEA, ATL, HOU or AUS, or even JFK or DCA. Just about every major city I checked in the US has air fares from STL for less than $200 round trip. The airlines are still hurting and have pretty good fares now. A flight to Rapid City, SD is a bit more ($257). It's beautiful in the Black Hills <sigh>....

Why spend that much money for a bus or plane ride to Tampa for a chance at a job when the same amount or less will give you many more options? Boxley's a great, caring guy. But Tampa isn't the only place in this great big country that is looking for good people.

You've got to figure out what you want to do, Norm, and do the work necessary to get there.

You want to stay in STL. Well, you've always wanted to work for the IRS, haven't you? [link|http://jsearch.usajobs.opm.gov/summary.asp?OPMControl=VX1139|Computer Specialist]. Seriously, as I've said before, Federal jobs aren't perfect but they aren't something to be dismissed out of hand either. Check out [link|http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/a14.htm|[link|http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/a14.htm|http://www.usajobs.opm.gov/a14.htm]] and do some searching around. Don't be put off by descriptions of locations being "Throughout the Nation". A $31K federal job beats an $18K help desk job, doesn't it? (And if you seriously think it doesn't, then I'd have to accuse you of chopping off your nose to spite your face.)

Before you spend the money to visit Boxley, you might want invest the money instead on a little trip with your wife and child. San Diego's very nice - it's supposed to be in the low-mid-70's tomorrow (CRC - that's Fahrenheit degrees. It's around 296 Kelvins. :-)

My advice may only be worth what it cost you...

Cheers,
Scott.