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Where are the Mechanics?

92U 3406

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 3, 2017
Messages
3,100
Location
Western Canuckistan
Occupation
Wrench Bender
Its still a 4 year apprenticeship here. I noticed a lot of guys seemed to struggle with the theory aspect of things when they were in school for 8 weeks of the year (as evidenced by the number of students in the sub-75% range). That's one of the reasons I think the pre-apprenticeship program is such a great idea. Rather than try to cram the basics of hydraulics (Pascal's Theory, fluid behaviour etc) along with the remaining course material into 8 weeks, it was already covered during the 8 month pre-app. Same with electrical. I basically slept through 1st year and aced the government test because I had already gone through tools, safety, airbrakes and basic electrical during the pre-app. It was just an 8 week review to me but half the class struggled with trying to understand electrical theory and air brakes.
 
Last edited:

JD955SC

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 13, 2011
Messages
1,349
Location
The South
I like my job a lot and I wish I has gotten into it when I was 18 vs 26. Unfortunately it was not advertised and I found about it purely by happenstance. Kind of hard for prospects to find out about the industry when they never hear about it ways in while the normal job advertisements call for "3-5 years of experience"
 

DMiller

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
16,435
Location
Hermann, Missouri
Occupation
Cheap "old" Geezer
I went to trade school when it was just a Cert. 10 month crash course in gear train, engines and fuel systems, basic electrical, hydraulics some minor welding and diagnostics. Ranken Technical 75/76. First job, RTW state-KS, floor mechanic not trainee, not apprentice just mechanic, on production rate(flat rate). Lost my ass for two weeks, started getting the hang of it the third on old simple Freightliner cabover tandems. Midwestern Distribution Ft. Scott KS. Garage was B&D Motor Parts a separated division and the ONLY garage except for emergency repairs the company equipment ran thru. Got good at brake jobs(full anchor pin 16" drive axle type), clutches and replacing frame cross members. Experienced the grief of straight time on Air Conditioners, coolant leaks off engine and working on cab components as speedometers in that age of early electronic shyt. ABS was coming out, learned air brake systems really quick as to diagnostics. Became wrecker operator off hours same company dragging the junk both out and in, picking up wrecks and so on. Got laid off after just over a year. Had broken 80 hour pay weeks working 3 1/2 11 hour days rotating week end or beginning every month. First overhaul, first Glider kit and first aux section fuller rebuild all here.

Got really good at busting axles with a sledge popping those BS Frt Lnr/Rockwell flange wedges without busting studs. Journeyman by forced function. Second job Mack Trucks St. Louis, journeyman, rebuilding in-frames, fuel system repairs/dyno work, electrical system repairs and conversions on the old beasts. Transmissions in Bulldogs are their own animal, triple counter shaft, heavy as all get out, clutches were another experience in these on dump trucks and Trash trucks or City Fire apparatus, ALL sucked a crank with multiple PTOS, multiple extra whatever in the way but was Union and all time was paid. Frying pan to fire, never specialized on any aspect. Then went to work at Feld Truck Rental St. Louis, second shift shop working foreman, sidelined days as a heavy equipment grunt at St. Charles Quarry, lube man to start, by the end of a year rebuilding 110 Driptroits in Eucs on 1/2 day schedules.

Have been in under or around most every type of equipment including garbage trucks replacing blade packer hydraulic rams(While LOADED) and Honey Buckets needing clutches or exploded engines while of course FULL to smaller towboats on Alton Pool Mississippi River. Heaviest/nastiest job ever done: rails on a D9H on a job site(trash Dump) in the open in August. Never so much fun in my life as to deal with the stinking garbage infused rails on that POS, removed with a gas axe in 1984. Working a tow boat while underway is an experience, three engines, take one down service then swap to another, by the time done the scenery outside is quite different and no sensation of motion other than watching rudder controls oscillate, bilges are just NASTY!
 

Truck Shop

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 7, 2015
Messages
16,556
Location
WWW.
The truth is if your green as a gourd fresh out of school shut up and listen to the old guys. Every time a newbie opens his mouth he lets everyone in the shop
know his level of experience. The dumbest question is the one that isn't asked. Nothing wrong with asking for help just be ready to return the favor. And show
up for work looking like you have some ambition and ready to jump through your a$$. A few of my requirements.

Truck Shop
 

DMiller

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
16,435
Location
Hermann, Missouri
Occupation
Cheap "old" Geezer
I like my job a lot and I wish I has gotten into it when I was 18 vs 26. Unfortunately it was not advertised and I found about it purely by happenstance. Kind of hard for prospects to find out about the industry when they never hear about it ways in while the normal job advertisements call for "3-5 years of experience"

Was 38, getting tired and broken from all the crap jobs I had. Finally get a response to a Union Electric Co job app I had made and had kept updated, only took 18 years from first entry. Managed to get a decent retirement and healthcare package from 22 years of service. The first 20 years bending wrenches were not a waste but I had managed to save little.
 

thepumpguysc

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2010
Messages
7,445
Location
Sunny South Carolina
Occupation
Master Inj.Pump rebuilder
Boeing here in SC laid off 1000 I think?? It was a dam good run for afew years tho.. They put ALOT of people to work & filled the pockets of ALOT of businesses..
 

DMiller

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
16,435
Location
Hermann, Missouri
Occupation
Cheap "old" Geezer
I see a lot of the retiree call backs at m old employer and have been called by a few companies knowing I retired trying to get some old school and some skill back into their workforce. I am hesitant to return to full time, still have back/backside issues and do not need to anger it any more than already do. They have not met a reasonable pay level either as they seem to think that as a retiree having a existing income precludes paying a price for the knowledge base.

And I do enjoy a few berries now and then, along with the bourbon and scotch and old fashioned Stag Beer!! TPGSC!!
 

r20d12

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2009
Messages
123
Location
oklahoma
Occupation
heavy equipment field tech since July 1990
I started out in July 1990 at a Caterpillar junk yard in Little Rock Ar. for $3.35 per hour. Only had car repair experience. Now I have a reputation as a hydraulic and electrical guru on heavy equipment making $31.50 with my career high being $34.21 Spent most of my time at Cat dealers. My highest grade completed was 8th grade but I read many service manuals over the years from cover to cover. Too much emphasis is placed on tech schools. A guy either has the talent and drive to learn or he doesn't. That's my two cents. House and land are payed off. Soon ill just unload this truck and ride off into the sunset. Let the snowflakes have a go at it.
 

RZucker

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 7, 2013
Messages
4,077
Location
Wherever I end up
Occupation
Mechanic/welder
I started out in July 1990 at a Caterpillar junk yard in Little Rock Ar. for $3.35 per hour. Only had car repair experience. Now I have a reputation as a hydraulic and electrical guru on heavy equipment making $31.50 with my career high being $34.21 Spent most of my time at Cat dealers. My highest grade completed was 8th grade but I read many service manuals over the years from cover to cover. Too much emphasis is placed on tech schools. A guy either has the talent and drive to learn or he doesn't. That's my two cents. House and land are payed off. Soon ill just unload this truck and ride off into the sunset. Let the snowflakes have at it.

You are the type most of us "old timers" are... At least me. 10th grade was enough for me, Could not stand the teachers in the "academic" classes trying to play their authority game day in and day out. Nearly choked one after he told me that shop classes were a waste of my time, after trying to use me as an example for the rest of the class. then I asked what his yearly take home pay was and told him mine was higher working after school. He flipped out and screamed a me for 20 minutes... I gave him the finger and walked out.
 

DMiller

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 21, 2010
Messages
16,435
Location
Hermann, Missouri
Occupation
Cheap "old" Geezer
Was a 11th grade completer myself. Started my senior year, could NOT take it any further so walked out, went to the State office and took the GED test cold, passed with flying colors and joined our Uncle Sam's US of Army. Have some regrets but not many as to advanced schooling, went to David Ranken Tech in 1975/76 for a 10 month crash course in Diesel/Gas engine tech, out of a class of 34 starters we graduated 15, I was number two in the class as to GPA unlike HS where I was THE person NOT to be as I was absolute bottom of the pile.
 

r20d12

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 29, 2009
Messages
123
Location
oklahoma
Occupation
heavy equipment field tech since July 1990
I took my GED and scored high in science and average in everything else. I couldn't figure out why everyone taking the test was so friendly to each other then, I found out they offered classes before hand Lol. Live and learn. Yeah, us old timers are awesome!
 

thepumpguysc

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2010
Messages
7,445
Location
Sunny South Carolina
Occupation
Master Inj.Pump rebuilder
I KNOW OF a Fuel Injection Shop in Charleston that is hiring, RIGHT NOW.. Lol
IF your brain-dead & have a hammer, they'll hire you..
I called Friday to check on price & avail. on some injectors.. It was 9:30am..
I called my favorite parts man's extension.. no answer.. I called the Fuel Shop foreskins extension, no answer. I called the MAIN OPERATOR's extension, no answer..
I called the Engine Dept. secretarys extension, no answer, so I left a msg.. She TEXTED ME BACK at 1:30pm
with> "NO, we don't have any"..
4 friggin HOURS to punch in a 5 digit part #.!!!!! AND THEN, TEXT?? without so much as a PRICE or expected delivery.!!??
SO, if you wanna job or should I say, a pay check.. where all you have to do is just "show-up".. it doesn't even have to be "on time".. & you don't have to do the job you were hired for OR be any good at it..
Contact me for more information.. Lol...
 

thepumpguysc

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2010
Messages
7,445
Location
Sunny South Carolina
Occupation
Master Inj.Pump rebuilder
as long as I'm on a rant.. lol.. I thought I would RAVE..
I called another Co. while I was waiting for the other asshats to call me back..
I asked the woman if they had 4 injectors?? she said she had 1, but expected a stock order any day..
{THEN proceeded to explain to me, the fact that, seeing they were sold in sets of 4 or 6, there SHOULDNT BE 1 on the shelf}..
Seeing this was Friday & my customer needed them "NOW", that wasn't gonna help..
I said, Thank you & hung up.. 15 minutes later the phone rings & it was that woman again..
She told me who she was & proceeded to tell me, she called HER supplier & was expecting her stock order to be delivered on Tuesday, if that would help & she could "drop-ship" me 4.. HUH??
I was dumbfounded.. NOW THATS HOW business is done.!!!
I wish I could give out the name of the Co. but I cant..they don't sell to the public, only Dealers.
So in fact, there ARE STILL companies that KNOW HOW to do business..
 

hetkind

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2015
Messages
472
Location
Unicoi, TN
I started out in July 1990 at a Caterpillar junk yard in Little Rock Ar. for $3.35 per hour. Only had car repair experience. Now I have a reputation as a hydraulic and electrical guru on heavy equipment making $31.50 with my career high being $34.21 Spent most of my time at Cat dealers. My highest grade completed was 8th grade but I read many service manuals over the years from cover to cover. Too much emphasis is placed on tech schools. A guy either has the talent and drive to learn or he doesn't. That's my two cents. House and land are payed off. Soon ill just unload this truck and ride off into the sunset. Let the snowflakes have a go at it.

I started earlier than you, in 1979 got hired as a school bus mechanic, but later went back to college, completed a BS in Mechanical Engineering, later, a MS in Industrial Engineering, and still working as a senior level engineer, with mechanic work on the side. I just expanded my personal shop with an additional 2,000 square feet of inside space. Now I have 1,200 sq ft of high bay area with a 20 foot ceiling and 2,000 square feet with a 10 foot ceiling. I think we need to bring back mandatory vocational training to all high school programs...now about those snowflakes, the young guys I know who tinker, restore old motorcycles and trucks have their acts together. And they are good enough not to have to work a menial 8/hr job the tire shops and independent mechanics shops want to pay. Once you are computer literate, pulling a harness into a interface plug and ready computer diagnostics is straight forward!
 

Crummy

Senior Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2017
Messages
918
Location
Idaho
I read a news story yesterday that BNSF is offering signing bonuses of up to $25,000 for electricians and mechanics. I remember a time when getting on with the railroad was pretty much known as a father-to-son job.
 

hetkind

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2015
Messages
472
Location
Unicoi, TN
I read a news story yesterday that BNSF is offering signing bonuses of up to $25,000 for electricians and mechanics. I remember a time when getting on with the railroad was pretty much known as a father-to-son job.

That was back in the days where the work was much less complex and the railroads paid a top wage compared to other industries. Now, people don't want to be away from home, on a rotating schedule. With working spouses, child care duties and additional household tasks for both spouses, traveling for work on a normal basis is far less attractive. Luckily, I am down to being on the road one week a month, and that is too much.
 
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