Yair . . . RollOver Pete . . . or any one. Could you explain this quote . . . what does a hand have to to earn a "journeyman" status. I'm trying to get my head around these terms, they cut no weight with me.
Cheers.
Hello Scrub Puller :drinkup
Before I go any farther,
I will admit that my choice of words or the way I come off in here even leaves me with doubts.
I have no problem when it comes to moving mountains or equipment but when it comes to choosing words...
Lookout
That said, If I have offended anyone in here, please accept my apologies.
My babbling here comes from my personal feelings and experiences.
Right or wrong, its where I've been.
I've been in the Operators since 1986.
Before being accepted into the apprenticeship, I had the opportunity to be brought in my 2 people who were high up with Massey Sand and Rock here in Indio, Ca.
I almost took their offer as I had been trying to join Local 12 for about 3 years. It would have been an easy way in but I would always have this idea in the back of my head knowing that I owed somebody or that I got a free ride.
We all know those operators on the job that make the big bucks because daddy got them into the Operators.
Regardless of weather they can cut grade, read plans or only run a roller, they are where they are because.....
membership has its privileges.
I didn't want that kind of label stuck to my hard hat and I'm glad that I didn't go that route.
When the apprenticeship opened up I went for it. Besides, I had no idea of how to check grade or read plans.
Long story short, I went to work after only 1 day at the training site. I was tested on just about everything they had and after the instructors were satisfied, I was cleared out on a 637 pp. 6000 hrs later I was a journeyman. This only took just under 3 years but you know what? I had the training, experience and confidence to do any job that I was cleared out to do. Unlike the bosses kid who despite not being able to hit the ground with the blade, he would remain on the payroll long after I was gone. All because membership has its privileges.
Free rides are something that will never sit well with me.