Frontline Series - “In The Dark”

I’m Tired of Being in the Dark and Out of the Loop

From the Frontline Series — Written by a Crew Member Who’s Just Trying to Be Prepared

I’m not the type to complain.

I show up early. I grab the list. I keep my head down and my boots moving.

But if I’m being real, I’m getting tired of being left out of the loop.

It’s not just one time. It’s not just one crew.

It’s this steady drip of little surprises every morning, every week, like nobody thought it was worth looping me in.

Even though I’m the one pushing the mower, running the job, loading the truck, making the place look good.

Monday: “You’re with a different crew today.”

No one told me that on Friday.

I would’ve left my tools in the other truck.

Now I’m standing here at 6:40 a.m. in the wrong hoodie, no hearing protection, and all my stuff is halfway across the yard.

I jog over. Ask around. They don’t know either.

By the time I’m loaded and in the truck, we’re running late and the crew lead’s already irritated.

Great way to start the week.

Wednesday: “Didn’t anyone tell you we need knee pads today?”

Nope. Didn’t get the message.

If I had known, I would’ve thrown them in my bag.

They’re in my garage, sitting right next to my lunch cooler.

Instead, I’m crawling on hot pavers for six hours in shorts, knees shredded, pretending I’m fine.

Why didn’t anyone say anything?

Friday: “We’ve got a cookout at 3:00 — hope you brought a change of clothes!”

You guessed it I didn’t.

Because no one told me.

Everyone else is high-fiving and changing into clean T-shirts, and I’m standing there in a sweat-soaked long sleeve with grass clippings in my socks.

I leave early and say I’ve got an appointment — just to save face.

I didn’t want to look like I didn’t care.

But honestly, that’s how they made me feel.

It’s Not About Being Babied

I don’t need a babysitter.

I don’t need a manager texting me every night with the forecast.

I just want the basics:

  • What crew am I with tomorrow?

  • Where are we going?

  • What time are we rolling out?

  • What do I need to bring?

  • Are there any changes I should know about?

That’s it.

Simple stuff.

But when it doesn’t happen, it makes the job harder than it needs to be.

Here’s the Thing

I care about my work.

I want to be prepared.

I want to be proud of what I do.

But when I’m constantly catching up, getting left out of updates, or finding out plans changed after they changed?

It feels like nobody cares if I’m set up for a good day.

And when you feel that way long enough, you stop trying so hard.

Not because you don’t care — but because it feels like a losing game.

Then We Got CrewHero

Now?

I check CrewHero on my phone each night — takes 30 seconds.

I see my assignment, crew, truck, weather, and gear notes.

If something changes, I get a ping.

If there's a team cookout, I actually know about it in advance.

I bring the right clothes.

I show up ready.

I don’t feel left behind.

Final Thought

The old way made it feel like I was on the outside of a team I was trying hard to be part of.

Now?

I feel like I’m in the loop.

And when you’re in the loop, you care more.

You move faster.

You stop wondering.

You start owning your day.

And stop leaving your hardest workers in the dark.

One of the guys who shows up ready — when you let him

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