Any heavy duty or diesel or construction tech please read

[Dj.SammyOaks]

Hello, I am a 22yo light duty diesel tech at a Ford dealership and to cut to the chase I'm looking for an out. It has nothing to do with the work, just the management. I have several places around me that work on construction equipment or heavy diesels and I'm just looking for some opinions as to whether it is worth pursuing. I'm not looking for a major field change but I wanna know how the work is from people that actually do it. Anything to look for or avoid? How hard is it compared to light duty diesel? Any advice is welcome!

 

[Ruger_556]

Post in here http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=186713&page=564

 

[Dj.SammyOaks]

Thanks! I figured here was a good starting place just by sheer volume

 

[Packard V8]

It's well to remember, even though the management at your present shop is making you want to leave, the next one could be worse. Lesson learned in flunking several grades in the school of hard knocks; before accepting a new job, have lunch, beers, prayers, whatever with those working there now. There will always be *******, but ask the question, "Just between us, knowing what you know now, would you advise me to sign on here?"

jack vines

 

[redmondjp]

It's well to remember, even though the management at your present shop is making you want to leave, the next one could be worse. Lesson learned in flunking several grades in the school of hard knocks; before accepting a new job, have lunch, beers, prayers, whatever with those working there now. There will always be *******, but ask the question, "Just between us, knowing what you know now, would you advise me to sign on here?"

jack vines

^Best advice ever. If the current employees tell you to run away, you'd better listen.

You will never learn very much about the workplace during the interview process. And sometimes it will take months/years after taking a new job in order to find out about all of the politics going on, who's who in the pecking order, and where all of the bodies are buried.

 

[rustbucket5]

fleet maintenance is where its at, youll usually have to work on automotive truck fleet as well.

 

[MedicOC]

fleet maintenance is where its at, youll usually have to work on automotive truck fleet as well.

Some of my happiest customers heavy equipment/diesel fleet guys. Specifically the guys that work for municipalities.

 

[wburke2010]

Heavy equipment has to stay running. There will always be a need for equipment mechanics. There is nothing more I like than heavy equipment.

 

[CrotalusAtrox]

Dr. Sammy check out this video from Simon Sinek this may not be who you are but you may be working for someone like this. I have a 20 year old son starting in the work force and he started watching Simons videos and it really opened his eyes on how things really are out there.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Some shops will let you "shadow" during a shift. I did it with the local CAT dealer when I started school. Was a good experience and you can get a good taste of what you're getting into. Worth checking with some of the shops in your area.

 

[BlackLS2]

OP - not to sound like Yoda, but pretty smart you are to seek counsel and wisdom from those in the know. You are already clearly ahead of the game.

 

[Cobradriver]

It might take some time watching openings,but my company is usually looking for employees. ASE Master is worth something like 4.00/hr now. Starting is around 22ish/hr(I think). Top pay is almost 40/hr currently.

https://careers.fedex.com/express/jobs?keywords=technician

Downside is we do a ton of our own paperwork and parts stuff. I've been here 23 years with no plans on leaving. The shift start times do tend to **** pretty bad....generally no onsite manager so you MUST be a self starter.

Chris

 

[Rlfd213]

If you can get into it get into municipal fleet service. It's a lot of PM and not a lot of stress. Plus the benefits are really good and many even put you into a pension plan too.

 

[nh_yota]

If you can get into it get into municipal fleet service. It's a lot of PM and not a lot of stress. Plus the benefits are really good and many even put you into a pension plan too.

Plus you'll never get fired, unless the city goes bankrupt.

 

[Sticks McGee]

It might take some time watching openings,but my company is usually looking for employees. ASE Master is worth something like 4.00/hr now. Starting is around 22ish/hr(I think). Top pay is almost 40/hr currently.

https://careers.fedex.com/express/jobs?keywords=technician

Downside is we do a ton of our own paperwork and parts stuff. I've been here 23 years with no plans on leaving. The shift start times do tend to **** pretty bad....generally no onsite manager so you MUST be a self starter.

Chris

I am right with you...I am up way north of you in Indiana..I am in a single location with 35 trucks. Been here at this location since 97. Started at ORD (chicago in 91. Just turned my 25 yrs in November). As you stated the clerical is a real PITA. It's nothing like it was 20 years ago. Do you know Greg in Tampa? he came from up here. Good guy...good tech

 

[pamike]

I know a guy that used to interview at a place, if he got an offer he would come back and say "I want to take a weeks vacation from my current employer, come work for you for a week, and see what I think." At the end of the week he would either go back to his old employer after his week of "vacation" and keep working, or go back to his old employer, put in his two weeks notice, and then go start his new job..It worked well for him...