Finding an Honest Employer

[Zewnten]

Not trying to whine or complain too much but what the f***! Current place is an absolute dumpster fire, all the mechanics but me and the newest have left. One didn't like his manager so no called no showed, the other guy who was in no way ready was talked into being a field guy to cover for him. Well that guy found out how much less he's being paid and is on his way out. That's the normal for this place, promise anything do nothing that costs them, lying every time. Now all of their accounts were on hold all week because they won't pay. Told us to figure it out while the check is in the mail, yeah right.

So I've been interviewing with local companies and they're all the same as these guys. Is it my area, the local population is all shady, or the bad companies are the only ones hiring? I've been looking around and much lower cost of living areas are paying the same as the front range?

So how do I go about finding a company that pays enough for me to live here, average rent for a house is $2500/mo and insurance is $1000/mo after the companies "contribution". Without working 80hrs/wk and relying on overtime the only option I see is moving?

 

[crane operator]

If I remember right you're in colorado?

I don't see how many of the blue collar guys can afford to live in the higher priced housing market areas. It has to be tough when housing is over $500,000.

I read a article the other day in on a financial site, person writing in was making $350,000 per year and was talking about how they were living "paycheck to paycheck". Big house payments, school debt payments, credit card debt, and owed $170,000 on their two electric cars (because they are saving the planet).

I think everyone has a tendency to spend what they make, but with what housing has skyrocketed to, and what my wife says grocery prices are doing, it makes one wonder where the spiral ends.

I hope you find somewhere that fits your needs for employment.

 

[mks]

I started as an auto mechanic went into atc and got out. The starting pay for the entry level mechanic is close to the same as when I left.
I have watched the adds for the last five years or so and there are some that always have adds out for help.
My limited experience indicates to me that they probably are not good to work for.

Maybe knock on doors that are not hiring and ask to talk with resume ready.
When I come across a tradesman in a gas station or similar I ask how they like their job and if they are hiring for my kids.

It may well be difficult but county and state jobs tend to be desirable as far as I can tell around here.
Union’s are pretty strong here and tend to pay well.
Moving may well make sense but that can be complicated depending on your situation. You are capable of making that decision.
Best of luck.

 

[Coaldust]

Colorado maybe? Your profile says earth, so that does narrow things down. Wow, what a deal. Sorry to here about your situation. Like MKS said, maybe look for a municipal, county or state gig? Less pressure overall. Operating to a budget vs operating to please shareholders. Can you tell us what industry? Construction, trucking, ag shop, ?

 

[thepumpguysc]

The problem with moving is, it’s to late to figure out that u hate your new job..
When I took a job 100 miles away (1 way) from my permanent home,
I bought a nice mobile home already set up and lived in it for 3 years & went home on weekends or whenever the mood hit me..
I sold it when I decided that “this” wasn’t for me.. I took a $2000.00 loss but where else could you live for 3 years for $2000.00.??
Just something to think about...

 

[Coaldust]

I found you a great gig. A defense contractor in my state needs a mechanic or two to maintain a variety of vehicles, power equipment, prime power, heavy equipment, dishwashers, ATV’s, freezers, ice machines, whatever is broken. You get to travel to remote, top-secret, military installations, live with polar bears for weeks or months. IBEW gig, make big bucks, hook up with local native women in the villages and live the dream. Start a new family or a couple new family’s. Enjoy chartered flights in small aircraft operating at the margin. Live at the edge of the world.

Three hots & a cot, shoot caribou after work, ride ATV’s, fish streams that never get fished, drink. Maybe all at the same time. No expenses. Just stack the dough. Stacks and stacks of it.

Here is the link. You can thank me later. Seriously, I’m not even exaggerating. I might be wrong about the IBEW 1547 part, it could be a Teamster 959 contract. I’ll ask my kiddo.

Get a nice place in Panama to stay when you are not working.

https://www.arctecalaska.com/

 

[Nige]

Get a nice place in Panama to stay when you are not working.

I'll second that. Panama was our first choice for a "move to" but other considerations unfortunately prevailed.

 

[CM1995]

I'll second that. Panama was our first choice for a "move to" but other considerations unfortunately prevailed.

Boquete is a fantastic town up in the mountains. Actually reminds me of the terrain out west.

 

[JD955SC]

Not trying to whine or complain too much but what the f***! Current place is an absolute dumpster fire, all the mechanics but me and the newest have left. One didn't like his manager so no called no showed, the other guy who was in no way ready was talked into being a field guy to cover for him. Well that guy found out how much less he's being paid and is on his way out. That's the normal for this place, promise anything do nothing that costs them, lying every time. Now all of their accounts were on hold all week because they won't pay. Told us to figure it out while the check is in the mail, yeah right.

So I've been interviewing with local companies and they're all the same as these guys. Is it my area, the local population is all shady, or the bad companies are the only ones hiring? I've been looking around and much lower cost of living areas are paying the same as the front range?

So how do I go about finding a company that pays enough for me to live here, average rent for a house is $2500/mo and insurance is $1000/mo after the companies "contribution". Without working 80hrs/wk and relying on overtime the only option I see is moving?

Bruh, move outta there and gain better pay, lower costs, and most likely more freedom. My insurance is $160 a month and my house is $700 a month

 

[terex herder]

Move east 400 miles. Pretty much every place is hiring mechanics. Yellow Deere, Green Deere, Cat, they all seem to have signs out. There are livable houses that sell for under 20K if you get away from the big cities, The biggest downside is its 70 miles to a acceptable doctor, and 160 miles to one you actually want to allow to operate on you. If you are healthy its not a problem.

 

[Tyler d4c]

Move east 400 miles. Pretty much every place is hiring mechanics. Yellow Deere, Green Deere, Cat, they all seem to have signs out. There are livable houses that sell for under 20K if you get away from the big cities, The biggest downside is its 70 miles to a acceptable doctor, and 160 miles to one you actually want to allow to operate on you. If you are healthy its not a problem.

What part of the world is this

 

[Old Doug]

From what my friend that has a place in Colorado tells me that is a very expensive place to live. Like others have said move if you can.

 

[colson04]

I moved to the Denver area in 2010, moved back to Michigan in 2012. Costs were exorbitant back then and I can only imagine how bad they've gotten now. Back then, I saw almost a 10% gain in savings every month from moving because of the reduction of living expenses. Housing was cheaper, food was cheaper, fuel was cheaper, etc. I liked living near the mountains, but it wasnt worth the cost. I can fly out and visit them someday if I want to go back.

 

[92U 3406]

From my own personal experience the big dealers absolutely suck to work for. I've been at a smaller company the last few years and I'm actually enjoying the job like I used to. Working for dealers made me hate this job lol.

 

[crane operator]

I've never turned wrenches for a living, but if the $$$ was close to the same, I think I would prefer being a mechanic for a construction or industrial company that just has their own equipment, vs. working on whatever comes through the door at a dealer.

With a fleet, even if you start with a mess from the last guy, you should be able to reach a point of stability of getting things rolling along. Sure, things are still going to break, but you know the fleet and you have some history, and work in progression. Of course then there's no where to hide from troublesome jobs, and no one else to blame, but that's not a problem for good guys.

 

[mekanik]

At any big corporation you are a number. I worked for a large KW dealer for over twenty years. I was 09-01.

 

[92U 3406]

The big gain from being at a large dealer is the benefit and pension plans. A lot of smaller companies just don't have the ability to match what a multi billion dollar dealership chain can.

Its a trade-off though. I find the smaller companies have a much more laid back environment and the owners often treat you like a person and not some little peon.

 

[Coaldust]

Dealership technical training and access to the resources. That can make a huge difference in technician development. Especially for a young fella. Five or six good years. Most guys can handle dealership politics for that long.

Coincidentally, that magic 5 year mark coincides with the point of wage stagnation. Then, it’s time to pack up your game and whore yourself out to a customer you met while working at the dealer. Make a few bucks.

 

[John C.]

Dealership technical training and access to the resources. That can make a huge difference in technician development. Especially for a young fella. Five or six good years. Most guys can handle dealership politics for that long.

Coincidentally, that magic 5 year mark coincides with the point of wage stagnation. Then, it’s time to pack up your game and whore yourself out to a customer you met while working at the dealer. Make a few bucks.

That career path worked out well for many of us.

 

[Coaldust]

Unless you just love commodity style retail wrenching, overall it’s a poor life decision. Go fix elevators, become an electrician (IBEW), fireman, repair medical equipment (bio-med), go into commercial HVAC.