Wait, are you sure it's actually the same job though? I mean titles can be the same but responsibilities really differ. That bigger company experience he brought in might actually mean he's handling stuff you don't see, like higher level client stuff or strategy work. Not saying it's fair, but companies always pay for what they think someone brings from outside. You gotta think about what you can actually point to that shows your work is identical, not just the job listing. If you really want to bring it up, frame it as wondering about the pay band and what it takes to move up, not that you saw his exact number.

Literally just hand tight" after eight months? I don't believe you, that's insane.

Had a lender tell me last month they're double checking everyone's tax stamps now.

Works better than any screaming match ever did.

Dude that is SO frustrating. I got hit with a similar thing last summer when I signed up for open water swim practice at a lake near me and they charged $15 per session just to park. Not even a spot near the water, just a gravel lot a quarter mile away. It's like they know you're already committed and just tack on these extra fees hoping you won't bail. The dry bag hack is gold though, I keep one clipped to my bike now for exactly this reason. Sneaky fees like that almost made me quit tri training before I even started.