First four years were part time while I was in school and they went by fast. After about ten years of driving, management got horrible and wanted more and more. That's when I thought,"I'll never make retirement." The next ten or so, they got off our backs a little and I liked my job again. For another five or so, I was just a mercenary-coming to work for the money. Congress voted down the law that said you took a big tax hit with a private pension if you retired before 53. All of a sudden I had four years to go instead of seven. Then the years flew by. My last summer, they relooped my route and I was out until 7-8:00 in a record hot summer. I didn't go crazy because I knew I only had 6 months to go. I retired at 50 and haven't regretted it.
Even when I dreaded coming to work, the pay, benefits and early pension made it worth it to me and my family.