My Dreams Were Destroyed at Albuquerque Station (Patreon)

Last week, FTVLive told you about the seemingly ongoing problems at one Albuquerque station.  

Sources both inside and outside Hearst owned KOAT say that it has gotten so bad that some staff members have contacted lawyers and there has even been talk of a potential walkout. 

Not sure what is going on, but it seems like Hearst corporate should be looking into it. 

FTVLive got an email from one former staffer that says her stint at the station basically destroyed her dreams in TV news. 

We are publishing the email in full, but are not revealing her name. She did not ask to be anonymous, but we have decided to make it so. 

This is her email: 

"I was an employee at KOAT and quit in 2018. I can attribute KOAT to the ultimate reason i quit television news. I was burned out, sick of covering crime constantly and was overworked (6 day weeks weren’t uncommon).

A few months before I quit, I was robbed at gunpoint at my apartment complex and my car was stolen. While management did show some compassion, I was told I could take A DAY off to get my rental car, find my bearings etc. I asked if I could just extend one more day off into my weekend making it a four day weekend because God forbid I was stressed and anxious and traumatized, and I was guilt tripped with “we’re short staffed, we need you tomorrow”. I worked nightside (talk about triggering the PTSD seeing as i was robbed at night) the next day, my other coworkers were shocked I was back and asked why. I didn’t bother telling anyone i was basically forced back so quickly by management. I guess until now. 

Reading about the outdoor parking lot lights by the station being out makes me sick. Management knows how dangerous the area around the station is. Hell, they tell new hires to live in apartment complexes where drug deals are frequent.

This station used to be the stepping stone to get to a large market. I planned to spend a while in ABQ until i was ready to step into Dallas or Houston. I can honestly say management at KOAT completely destroyed any dreams I had. I’m much happier where I am now, but I really hope the people at KOAT now can move on soon and find something better for their career AND mental sanity.

Thanks for reading."