Learning the trade

[grizzlycan2011]

Hey everyone,

I have yet some more questions about getting behind some equipment. I went to pretty much every dirt business I could find to try and get a job as an operator with no luck. Most told me no since I have no experience, the rest wanted to pay me $10 an hour which I can't do. So I took a job driving a dump truck for a local dirt contractor. Unfortunately he only delivers dirt, he does have equipment but most of the Mexicans run it except the big dozers and trackhoes. I really enjoy the job but going to these job sites and seeing them guys running that big equipment is making the itch even worse. So I did a little research and found out about the union. It's local 406 if anyone has info on it. I called the training center which is about 250 miles from me and they said class meets twice a month I think she said. Would this be a good idea to get my foot in the door? One thing that concerns me is 406 covers LA, MS and ARK I believe. Does that usually mean you have to travel for work? I'm just not willing to leave my family for weeks at a time. Any info would be great, thanks.

 

[ol' Grump]

Now that you've sort of gotten your foot in the door by driving truck, is the contractor you're working for the only one in the area? It might pay to look around for some weekend work for a smaller contractor, they're more apt to move you around on other equipment. Just an idea. . .

 

[GregD1]

Unless you are union member I don`t believe they are going to let you on anything. That is for the apprentiship program I`m pretty sure. Put in your application and try to get into the next class.

 

[fixou812]

Hello Grizzly Maybe you read the thread "where are the mechinics"
If you worked as a mechinics helper and really apply yourself it would
lend credibility to you and boost confidence with employers.
Work part-time or full-time with the understanding that you desire training
in shifting dirt. For instance if it was a truck repair shop with several employees
and they had no dirt.....they would have plenty of brother in law kissing their arse.
As a helper you wouldn't need much of...or any tools.
Find out who's changing all the clutches on the ten wheelers in your area.
Tell them you would love to learn the basics and do pm's be a roustabout park truck
pull them in check lite change tarps mount wheels on trucks chase parts.
Tell them you would luv to help pull and stab transmissions ....and I'm sure
he'll call Bill.... and tell him you're a "hand an a goodn' and bil will teach you
to play in the dirt. Hope this helps, Fixo

 

[Deeretracks]

Grizz, you need to understand that almost every person that walks through a contractors door looking for a job is wanting to be an operator, many have no experience but figure it's easy just pullin' levers. Your best bet is to either get in with the union apprenticeship or walk into a contractor and state that eventually you'd like to operate but would be fine starting out as a laborer and helping where needed. At the end of the day you can drop the shovel and they may put you on a backfill machine, compactor, or have you clean up with a backhoe. The small stuff like that adds up and eventually you will be given more responsibility you you've proven you are the right guy. Good operators are hard to find but self proclaimed operators are a dime a dozen.

 

[FSERVICE]

Grizz, Good operators are hard to find but self proclaimed operators are a dime a dozen.

that's spot on Deeretracks!!! I have saw this very often over the years fixing things these so called operators have tore off or just plain didn't know any better!!! and you are right everyone thinks they should start at the seat of the biggest excavator, so NOT going to happen!! Grizz just think bout this for a split second, if a contractor spends 1/2 million dollars on a piece of equipment do you really think they are going to let just anyone who walks in off the street & says I want to run that get on it & TRY to operate it??? just sayin!! Grizz my suggestion would be get into the union apprenticeship program to get you some seat time, get around some equipment. if you get in the union yes you will prolly have to travel for work unless you can get a job with a local union shop.. just remember that the only person that starts at the top is a ditch digger!! ( and that's with a shovel)

 

[grizzlycan2011]

Yea, those are all good suggestions, I was thinking of telling my boss that I'll work for free on the weekends if I can get some seat time. As far as doing part time work for someone, I don't think that's possible as I work Monday-Saturday 6am-6pm, not much room for another job. Maybe I'll think about the union, just not sure about traveling to work, I tried OTR and didn't like being away from family. I suppose this is something I should've thought about before getting married as I can't afford to make $300 a week as a laborer. But I guess if I never get on a piece of equipment I can still be part of the dirt industry. But I'm only 26 who knows what will happen.

 

[CM1995]

Yea, those are all good suggestions, I was thinking of telling my boss that I'll work for free on the weekends if I can get some seat time.

Now that will show your employer how much you want to be an operator. No it's not the free labor but the willingness to give your time to learn, that says a lot.

I have had many "operators" go through the doors who talked a good game but couldn't hit the ground with a blade. Learning how to operate a machine is one thing. Learning how that machine is tasked and it's role to complete a job is another. Both are mutually important and understanding both is what makes a good operator - smooth, efficient use of the machine to complete the project on time and on budget.

Watch the stages of the jobs and the types of equipment that are used, ask questions. A shovel should be the first piece of dirt moving equipment any operator should start out with. It's not necessarily about "doing your time" but rather learning how to efficiently move dirt with your mind, hands and a tool - that's the same principle that carries over to the equipment.

 

[grizzlycan2011]

Well me and my wife talked about it and have agreed that I might should consider a union apprenticeship. The lady I talked to said that I'll go to school and wait to be called for work. And that brings a few concerns to me. I know y'all can't tell me what would happen but would I work until the job is done then be laid off? Is there a way I can find union shops in my area? And if it involved traveling for work, is it like being an OTR trucker? Gone for a week and home on weekends? Just wondering because that will play a major role in my decision, just don't know how traveling for work goes.

 

[oceanobob]

Our local community college offers classes for heavy equipment operation. Every contractor that I know will allow time off for classes. What you want to do can be done.

The good thing is you can begin to understand the responsibility of operational duties which will help you relate to your ambitions.

 

[joispoi]

It sounds like you've got steady work with your current job. It takes years to rise to the top of the pay scale as an operator. I'm not telling you to stay where you are, but it's important to be objective.

My personal opinion is that there would have to be significant reward- either financial or personal- in order to justify risking the jump from steady work to uncertain earning potential.

 

[GregD1]

Did you also ask about how many they plan on for the upcoming class? I don`t know how they do it in your area, but the number of apprentices they will accept will be detrmined by work volume. Be aware also they used to take the highest score on the entrance test. We had 30 in our group. So you would think the top 30 scoress got in, wrong. They made 3 lists. White, minority, female. First 3 slots were top scores from each list and so on till they got to the limit. So even if the top minority or female would have never been accepted based on score, they walked right in.
A far as travel goes, the outfit they get you hooked up with is sort of out of their control. If they have a job and you fit what they need, either tke it or turn it down. Travel time isn`t their determining factor. Most all first year apprentices will get sent as an oiler on a crane or something that doesn`t require experience or able to hurt youself or anybody else, or the machine.

 

[fixou812]

Are you sitting down?

 

[grizzlycan2011]

Are you sitting down?

At the moment yes.

 

[old-iron-habit]

Well me and my wife talked about it and have agreed that I might should consider a union apprenticeship. The lady I talked to said that I'll go to school and wait to be called for work. And that brings a few concerns to me. I know y'all can't tell me what would happen but would I work until the job is done then be laid off? Is there a way I can find union shops in my area? And if it involved traveling for work, is it like being an OTR trucker? Gone for a week and home on weekends? Just wondering because that will play a major role in my decision, just don't know how traveling for work goes.

Your union hall knows who the union contractors are. If they are taking students for class they must be expecting a work increase in the future. Union contractors like any other business hire and reduce employees based on workload. A contractor like anyone else also prefurrs to work close to home when ever possible. Take the school offer, a job will come along, and don't be a bonehead about what they want you to run. I've seen more that one operator that was "better" than being a forklift operator sitting home when times got slow, while a more humble operator sat in a heated cab on a forklift and was still on the payroll when work pisked up again. School time will include seat time, that's all good learning and experiance that will always be with you, no matter what you do.
Good luck and keep us posted on how it goes.

 

[grizzlycan2011]

Well I suppose I'll call the hall and ask. I just don't know if they can tell me that. It's a IUOE union but they represent heavy equipment operators, crane operators, casino workers, shipbuilders and a bunch of other stuff which seemed weird to me. I did call the training center and she said they have a class starting in February, just don't know if that's enough time to think about it. I don't think they'd even accept me though with my work history from this year. I tried to get a dump truck job as soon as I got my cdl but no one would hire me. So I did OTR from March-June and just hated being away from family like that so I took the first local job I could find which was a septic hauling job. Worked there from June-September and now I'm at my current dump Truckin job. So that work history doesn't make me look too grand. I also need to research how union work goes, that'd suck to work for a month then get laid off. I don't know it'll all work out.

 

[old-iron-habit]

Well I suppose I'll call the hall and ask. I just don't know if they can tell me that. It's a IUOE union but they represent heavy equipment operators, crane operators, casino workers, shipbuilders and a bunch of other stuff which seemed weird to me. I did call the training center and she said they have a class starting in February, just don't know if that's enough time to think about it. I don't think they'd even accept me though with my work history from this year. I tried to get a dump truck job as soon as I got my cdl but no one would hire me. So I did OTR from March-June and just hated being away from family like that so I took the first local job I could find which was a septic hauling job. Worked there from June-September and now I'm at my current dump Truckin job. So that work history doesn't make me look too grand. I also need to research how union work goes, that'd suck to work for a month then get laid off. I don't know it'll all work out.

There is risk with any reward. Ultimately it will be what you do if you work or not. Good hands are always working, or if there employer is slow, they quickly get picked up by another employer. One of the great thinga about a union is that good operators get to know each other and chances are when one company is slow another is extra busy. Chances are you will be making 1.5 times the money you are now. Save the extra, draw unemployment in the slow times, and live well. But most spend every dime and cry when they have a slow few weeks.

 

[grizzlycan2011]

Still going over career options and thinking of the heavy equipment mechanic route. There's an opening for service tech at my local cat dealer. Do they ever hire anyone without experience?

 

[Shimmy1]

Suppose for washing machines, sweeping the floor, counting bolts and the like.

 

[grizzlycan2011]

Yeah I don't think I'd enjoy busy work. But I believe I've found my answer, the railroad. Kcs main terminal is by my house and there's an opening for section laborer and in told you use all sorts of machines. Heard they really like vets and CDL holders so got 2 things going for me.