Six Hours of DMV Despair & Why "Good Enough" Staffing Isn't

By Ron Rice, Workify Chief Marketing Officer

Let me set the scene:

A room packed like a Costco rotisserie oven on a Sunday afternoon — a melting pot of 200 poor souls crammed into a space designed for 100. The soundscape? Crying babies, muffled phone calls, and the whispered despair of dreams dying slowly with each flicker of the ticket board. This wasn’t the end of days — it was just the Washington State DMV on a random Friday… two weeks before the Enhanced Driver’s License deadline.

And yes, I was one of those people.

You know the type — the “I’ll get around to it” crowd. The “I work better under pressure” bunch. The optimist who thinks “surely the line won’t be that long on a weekday morning”. Spoiler alert: I was wrong. Dead wrong.

From “A Few Hours” to Full Blown Existential Crisis

My wait time? A humble six hours. That’s longer than most flights to Hawaii. That’s longer than a Ken Burns documentary episode. That’s longer than it takes for concrete to cure in the summer sun.

At the 5-hour mark, salvation appeared: my number flashed on the screen, announcing my time was just 30 minutes away. I perked up. This was it. I stretched my legs. Rehearsed my signature. Cross-examined my forms like a TSA pat-down just to be safe.

Mentally, I celebrated with a glass of fine Cabernet and highlights from The Masters.

But then… that 30 minutes turned into 20. Then 10. Then just 60 seconds away. Then... nothing.

In a plot twist worthy of Game of Thrones, I was bumped down by a new batch of “appointments” that arrived out of nowhere. Appointments? Yes, those people who actually planned ahead. They just walked in with their smug punctuality and perfectly printed documents and got whisked to the front like VIPs at a Vegas nightclub. Meanwhile, I waited like an extra in a zombie movie. Still hopeful. Still trying to believe in the goodness of humanity.

So What’s This Got to Do With Skilled Trades Staffing?

A lot, actually.

Because when you think about it, the DMV is a lot like the skilled trades staffing world. Massive demand. High tension. Endless expectations. And a very, very fine line between efficient and chaotic.

The only difference? At Workify, we don’t want our clients waiting 6 hours for talent that may or may not show up. We don’t want construction superintendents scrolling their phones in despair, wondering if today’s “appointment” is going to be a no-show with mismatched steel toes.

What Workify Does Differently

At Workify, we’re trying to build a staffing experience that doesn’t feel like a government office. No mystery queues. No unexplained delays. No wondering if the guy showing up to run conduit has ever seen a wire cutter.

We staff with precision — talent that fits, where it fits, for exactly how long it fits. We believe clear communication, real trade knowledge, and a commitment to showing up before the deadline are what set us apart.

We’re not perfect (and neither is the DMV). But unlike that sweaty room of regret and procrastination, we plan ahead. We anticipate problems. And we don't just staff jobs — we right-size your workforce.

Final Thoughts (and a Well-Earned Pour) 🍷

When my number was finally called, I leapt up like a contestant summoned to “Come on down!” on The Price is Right. I gave the cranky service rep my info, smiled politely, and left with my Enhanced ID and a newfound appreciation for wine, golf, and operational efficiency.

Let my 6-hour cautionary tale be a reminder: Plan ahead. Show up early. And never leave workforce strategy to chance.

Because in the trades — just like at the DMV — when the pressure’s on and the line is long, the right crew showing up on time makes all the difference.