I was given the good news today,new head wrench at work

[NikkiM]

I was given the good news today, new head wrench at work. Boss seen my record, no comebacks putting pride in my work and I do not turn down classes on the newer equipment. Had 3 older mechanics retire lately and I was next for being the head wrench being there for 13 years now. I started working there October 3rd,2011 and have been happy there ever since. Was 32 years old at the time. Plus he has talked to the parts and service managers that have said I keep a positive attitude everyday. I also do everything right, one is fill out everything correctly. The other mechanics were bummed, they have less time there which have 4 to 5 years there way younger and are amazed I put out work at 45 years old turning 46 in December

 

[92U 3406]

Congratulations!

 

[NikkiM]

I am a good head wrench, the other mechanics are in their late 20s (22 to 27) and one in their early 30s and I help them out. One was looking a new Snap On tool box and he is new out of school using an US General as his starter toolbox. I told him that he better think about it and saw I was right.One was if he could afford the payments and realized to wait figuring out the payments were not going to be cheap. Snap On dealer said I was right telling him debt is not a good thing

 

[Birken Vogt]

You might be a little young to be at that kind of position but if you just wait a while that will change all by itself.

 

[Coaldust]

In Clown World Twenty Four, just showing up to work on a regular basis puts you in a place of leadership and seniority.

But, congratulations.

 

[Coaldust]

I have been working this week for a major industry leading, family owned, safe and well respected trucking company. The shop was filled with literal teenagers.

The senior guy, a well seasoned 23 year-old tech and registered cargo tank inspector, told me he was leaving next week for a better gig for an oil patch outfit.

Who provides ridiculous compensation for any swinging wrench who can **** clean and pass a background check. Let alone, have documentation. My goodness. What a time to be a Tech.

My point is, the workforce churning is shocking to this Gen-X er.

 

[Welder Dave]

The oilfield can be really up and down. You make good money for 6 or 7 month's and then there's not enough work to keep employed full time. Sometimes a steady year round job is a much better option.

 

[Coaldust]

I hear ya. Every industry in this state is wildly up & down. The trick is to ride that money train while you can. Only steady jobs I can think of, are probably state gov. Even the Fed jobs vary wildly depending upon funding.

One third of the workforce in Anchorage churns every three years. Either exit the state or change careers. The highest attrition rate of any major municipality.

Right now, it’s O&G. In 2024, ConocoPhillips has already invested more than $2 billion in Alaska projects, with two months to go, surpassing 2023's total capital expenditures. In the third quarter of 2024 alone, ConocoPhillips Alaska invested $691 million in capital in Alaska.

I just want a small piece of that pie. There is a nice article about Conoco I’ll post in my Alaska Biz thread.

 

[Coaldust]

Conversely, our fishing industry is down $2 billion. The town of King Cove was destroyed when Peter Pan Seafood Co closed. 75% of the tax base gone overnight. They don’t even know how they will keep the electricity on, since the private plant supplied most of the juice.

 

[DDoug]

Carefull now....don't let it go to your head....

:

 

[colson04]

Conversely, our fishing industry is down $2 billion. The town of King Cove was destroyed when Peter Pan Seafood Co closed. 75% of the tax base gone overnight. They don’t even know how they will keep the electricity on, since the private plant supplied most of the juice.

Why did the seafood company close their doors? Environmental pressures?

 

[Coaldust]

That’s a good question. I haven’t wrapped my head around it. IDK,.. Not just King Cove, there has been 6 or 7 plants close down this year.

Consumers are just not purchasing domestic seafood products and production costs have skyrocketed. It’s priced out of the market. It’s unaffordable. The traditional export customers like Japan and China are not purchasing it, either.

Then, there is the contentious trawler by-catch controversy and low king salmon numbers.

I hear that Russia is becoming very competitive and their quality control has improved.

International & domestic Farmed seafood is beating out wild Alaskan products.

Our Opilio crab fishery in the Bearing Sea crashed overnight and that didn’t help.

 

[DDoug]

When I travelled to southern Chile, the salmon fisheries just off shore are staggering.
Zoom in on google maps (satilight view), you'll see them everywhere.

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

Calen 1 · MH96+4C, Calen, Dalcahue, Chile

★★★★★ · Warehouse

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[Coaldust]

Anyone remember the Great Alaska-Canada Salmon "War" of 1997? When Snow Mexico hijacked the Alaska state ferry Malaspina in Prince Rupert? Which, stopped international commerce for the next five months?

I’m a veteran of that war.

 

[JD955SC]

You’re telling me a shop actually picked somebody competent to be a leadman instead of a manager’s desk spelunker? That’s unknown around here.

 

[DMiller]

Just saw the thread, can still congrats to Nikki, a Good aspect of a boss showing appreciation for time served and accomplishments made.