Moral dilemma (work/job related)

[Halz]

I started a 5 month contract job this week via a temp agency I had done some work for in the past. The pay is $12/hr, the job function is mindless (something that would go unmentioned on a resume), not at all rewarding, and the project is being very poorly managed.
Pretty much, the only reason why I said that I would take the contract position was because it paid more than unemployment.. and well of course, also, I can't refuse work if I am collecting unemployment!

Now, within this first week of me having worked this job, which stresses and depends on very prompt, vigilant actions; impeccable promptness.. well, at least.. thats how its being managed. For example, today as I was rounding the corner at 8:00am, and I overheard the PM say that 'well, everyone is 30 seconds late'. Yeah, it was sarcasm.. None-the-less; within this week, two job interviews materialized for next week... very good jobs.

So... how do I make the time in this job to go to the interviews? Do I say that some horrible accident has happened, and leave from work? Or do I just say I need to pick someone up from the airport far away at thus and such time, and not even come in? Do I just sneak out of work for the interviews, and adjust the timecard so I don't get paid for the hours I was actually *not* working?

Its a given that I will not be working for some days next week.. my question is basically how do I get to the interviews without burning bridges?

 

[Riprorin]

Just say that you need to take some personal time, without pay of course. I don't think that you're obligated to tell them what you are doing.

 

[Yo Ma Ma]

See if the prospective employers will see you early in the day before work, later in the day after work, or sometime during your lunch hour. If you still miss some work you just won't be paid for it, as you mentioned you are hourly. I wouldn't do the airport or dead friend routine until/unless it was like the final interview and you were pretty much a shoe-in at the new place.