Canadian Charlie
Banned
Don't give up Andrew, you're young and the right job is just around the corner waiting for you.
How many proffessional mechanics do we have here?
- Thread starter LGMechanical
- Start date
kiall1987
Well-known member
22 ,4 years as heavy plant/agri tech
Deafautotech
Well-known member
what is Agri?? i see few jobs open at Agri plants... what do they work??
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
Agricultural. Tractors and Combine harvesters and stuff.
Canadian Charlie
Banned
We have alot of guys who are in thier 20's here. I thaught the majority were in thier 30's/40's and 50's
r6_cannibal
Well-known member
I also thought the same.
Not pro just yet, unless computer mechanic counts
Working on setting up a little machine shop to turn out some motorcycle parts and misc special parts. I wrench on cars a good amount and spend a lot of quality time with my tools, but primary income is not derived from it...so I wouldn't consider myself a professional but I'm working on it.
:edit: forgot to mention age, 28.
kiall1987
Well-known member
Yup we are the next generation
Deafautotech
Well-known member
i am wonder how can i apply that job? i saw Agra plant that hiring diesel and service technicians. i am willing to work on diesel but problems is i dont have CDL...
kiall1987
Well-known member
I dont know about a CDL am in scotland but its well worth it though you'll might be on alot of sites/farms etc . Trackpads can be a nightmare but on he other hand they can be fun just depends what you do
OP
LGMechanical
Well-known member
You can't get signed up as an apprentice without a high school diploma. At least thats the way it is in Canada. Maybe he means he was helping around the shop at age 11. I was young when my dad started taking me to his shop on weekends to help.
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
There goes my chance of getting one..
Do you guys have a GED equivalent or similar?
wrencheshurt
Well-known member
Another diesel Mechanic here, learned how to twist wrenches courtesy of Uncle Sam, got out and worked at a Peterbilt dealer and things went south real quick, cant pay the bills on 11 hours of shop clean-up a week. Moved and now I'm working at a Blue Bird bus dealership and it really *****, bunch of hacks that can't speak English to share bay's with, oh well it gets me by. I'm 25 by the way, i like wrenching i like diesel but i just don't like working for Ex-Cons with prison mentalities.
Deafautotech
Well-known member
yeah that what most of service depts required:
I already has Diploma with core 40 then i went to college to got associate of science in automotive technology...
Deafautotech
Well-known member
In America, there is GED schools for people who need one.. but i am not sure about canada... BUT you might need research about that before come over here???
caper
Well-known member
I did.
Do you guys have a GED equivalent or similar?
Yes we do.I challenged a provincial license exam in Ontario a couple years back and all they wanted from a out of province worker was a signed letter on company letterhead from my former employer saying I had the appropriate skills and had worked the required hours in the trade.I brought them a signed apprentice book from nova scotia saying I had enough hours and was told that was no good.they wanted company letterhead.I went home and printed up something on the computer and went back the next day and the guy said perfect when do you want to write?The system in Ontario is set up to make it easier for immigrants to get licensed,less hours required than here in NS and less paperwork.
Hi LG,
In the United States, there are no minimum age, experience, or education requirements to begin an A&P apprenticeship. Mechanics, like airplanes are certified individually and in their entirety at the time of application.
I started as an apprentice A&P just before my 12th birthday. I was withdrawn from public school earlier in the year, to be home-schooled, so I could pursue my passion, Aviation.
Federal Aviation Regulation FAR-65.77 requires 30 months of concurrent experience to comply with the apprentice experience requirement. That's 30 months full-time. Since not all apprentices can work full-time, the concurrency requirement also allows apprentices to obtain the necessary practical experience at a rate of less than 40 hours per week, so long as the total number of hours apprenticed is equal or greater than working 30 months at 40 hours per week. 30 months is simply the minimum time period.
However, working less than 40 hours per week extends the time of the apprenticeship accordingly. Mine was roughly 6.5 years, working two days a week, later working full-time. One cannot be signed off to take the written, oral, and practical tests until they are 18, thus I had far more than the 5,400 hours of experience required, documented in the form of a mechanic's logbook and time sheets.
This approach is fairly common in aviation. Many pilots earned their Private Pilot rating at age 17, as I did. A few A&P's also earn their A&P on their 18th birthday, after apprenticing for many years as a child, under the direct supervision of a master mechanic. Aviation is unique in this respect. Many of us consider Aviation to be a part of our lives, not simply a degree, a license, or a job. Many of us enter aviation before we're teenagers. Those who do are said, amongst the inner circles of the community, to have "the flying bug". The fact that there are many of us so committed to Aviation is part of what makes it the safest form of transportation - we've been practicing it since we were children, literally.
I find it unfortunate that Elroy feels the need to personally attack me. I have substantiated my posts in the past, and been blown off by him and attacked further. Therefore, I feel no need to substantiate any further posts of Elroy's. He seems hell-bent to discredit me, yet he knows nothing about me.
I received a PM from him several hours ago on the subject of this very thread. Here it is, in it's entirety:
Elroy seems to feel that this is some kind of a competition. I'm not sure where he gets that idea from, as I'm not in competition with him, nor do I particularly care what he is or is not. I'm not sure why Elroy feels the need to turn this into a personal one-upsman competition. I have better things to do with my time and frankly, I thought Elroy did as well.
If Elroy had spent any time in aviation, he would understand how I and many other 18 year-old certified A&P's and their masters have done it. He's not interested in hearing about that though. He's only interested in attacking others who might have achieved more in a shorter time than he has.
I have no doubt he'll blow this post off too. But this isn't posted for his benefit.
volvo420coupe
Well-known member
I cant think of many other groups of people than mechanical engineers where it would be "cool" to sit around and talk in third person.
Doesn't do too well for the stereotypes now does it.
Doesn't do too well for the stereotypes now does it.
Dust
Well-known member
Not quite sure about that first question, but no, I did not attend CAP school. I trained in a junior college, got my certificates through the college, and then got my job at the dealer through their corporate sponsored scholarship program. Chrysler itself has nothing to do with my employment. In fact it was kind of just dumb luck that I landed this gig, as the company held a job fair at my school, I showed up, and then went on to interview at my dealership.
I love my job. I work on something new almost every day, and my mind is tested all the time. The specific workings of the dealer can drive me nuts, especially the service writers, but the actual work is very rewarding. I've also had a chance to work on other makes, since we'll do anything that comes through the door, and each time it just makes me more appreciative of working on Mopar vehicles. To me they're more organized, their systems are well thought out (Mostly), and the mechanicals are easy to repair. I've done a couple Fords in my time here, and they were total pains.
I couldn't see myself wrenching professionally on any other make, really. Possibly GM, but that'd be a stretch. For me it's pretty much Mopar or no car.
No you're posting this for your benefit. I have very little little interest in Aviation. My interest lie in other areas. As a matter of fact I have a very wide range of interests. Attacking you is not one of them.
What I (that would be Elroy) have trouble with is a 24 year old who thinks he knows everything.
I can assure you. There is much more to know in this world than what is taught in books or by being supervised by a "master mechanic" working on the family airplane. Real knowledge is only gained through life experiences.
Come back in 35 years and you'll realize then that you didn't know squat at 24
True wisdom only come with age and experience. You have neither.
Diesel_Crawler
Well-known member
This is so true, i always say to the apprentices when they go on a rant "Man i wish i was still young enough to know everything"
Books and the knowledge of others is good to have as well as doing it you're self. If you can learn to put all these together you will be smart.
The easiest way to sum this all up is Watch, listen and learn and pass on what you learn to others.
Now if the senors and the youngsters would stop bickering amongst them self's we can get one with this
heyou
Member
21, been wrenching for 2 years. I do mainly VW/Audi now, have always specialized in European. I joined this site to help me figure out if the tool I want to buy is decent. Trying to find a cooling system pressure tester that will work with VW/Audi that's not astronomically expensive.
Deafautotech
Well-known member
yeah i am understand that pain when you work on ford cars.. i did a lot of Ford's 3.0 DOHC v6, 4.6L and 5.4L engine repairs from blown spark plug, burnt valves, and replacement... it is too hard at first time but when i did more and more, it will get easier and easier to do.. but i still like to work on chrysler instead ford... being unemployed, i have to find a job and do what i can do... either GM, Chrysler or Ford where i know how and i can do that works..
bgott
Well-known member
I have been a mechanic for 30 some- odd years and have worked on cars, trucks, heavy equipment, farm machinery, marine and just about anything else. I have worked on all of that because I've always had the attitude that 6 months was too long to work the same place. Me, or the people that I was working for, anyway. I have 5 expired ASE certs and an expired L1, being that the slumlord business here in east Houton has gone to **** I might be re- taking the tests. I hate going back to cars, it'll cost me a few grand to update my electronic tools and I don't know if it is worth the money.
I have 5 expired ASE certs and an expired L1, being that the slumlord business here in east Houton has gone to **** I might be re- taking the tests. I hate going back to cars, it'll cost me a few grand to update my electronic tools and I don't know if it is worth the money.heyou
Member
That's exactly my point, the frickin adapters are $70!
Now this is something I could totally get into! I thinkg trains are cool as hell, and getting into locomotive repair/maintence would be a dream come true for me!
As for what everyone is saying about schooling, I'm currently finishing up my Associates in Auto Tech. I agree that you learn most of what you need on the job, but having a deep understanding of the theory and concepts behind what you're working on helps a lot. I don't think I'd be anywhere near as comfortable working on the more esoteric system on a vehicle if I hadn't had some form of schooling. Plus higher education looks great on a resume!
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
Locomotive engines are interesting designs. I have no experience with the 4-stroke units, but I've helped work on 2-stroke EMD's. The airport where I used to work had two EMD 16-567C generator units. On EMD's, the first number is the number of cylinders, the second number is the displacement in cubic inches PER CYLINDER.
Here's the first EMD 16-567A to ride the rails, installed in GM FT-103:
They have a nice sound with the rack wide open.
The coolest engine in my opinion is a locomotive engine. The Napier Deltic. 18 cylinders, 36 pistons, three crankshafts, 4,000 HP, and a sound.. OMG! The sound! It makes a blown V-8 car engine sound like an electric weedeater.
Don't worry about whether you have schooling or not is my suggestion. If you're confident you know what you're doing and you've spent the time to study it, you'll do fine.
Canadian Charlie
Banned
Thank You.
Which do you think is easier to get into, Ontario or Quebec?
If you can't speak French Ontario is the place to be. Quebec has the best strippers.
Moose-LandTran
Well-known member
volvo420coupe
Well-known member
Hmmmm..... Maybe I just knew too much before I went to school, LOL.
I got my 1st small engine tech job at a garden center back in 77,and learned a lot there.I would go to Vo-Tech scool in the morning,then go to work in the evenings and weekends.I had a great boss,who was able to spend a lot of time teaching me all he knew.
After 3 years,I moved on to bikes,woking 3 years at a Harley dealership.It was fun,but not a good fit.In was amazed at how much of my small engine experience I had then,helped me at the H-D shop.
I moved on to my current job as a small engine tech that I've been behind the bench at this job over 25 years now.Still love it every day.
For anyone who is out of work,say from an auto dealership,I'd suggest checking out working on small engines.They keep saying that the industry has fewer and fewer qualified/certified techs out there,so even though the pay scale isn't as good as automotive,it can be decent if you work hard at it.
Every year I attend the different update seminars,and almost all the faces attending are the same,so not much lay-offs.We've hardly ever slowed down.
Steve
After 3 years,I moved on to bikes,woking 3 years at a Harley dealership.It was fun,but not a good fit.In was amazed at how much of my small engine experience I had then,helped me at the H-D shop.
I moved on to my current job as a small engine tech that I've been behind the bench at this job over 25 years now.Still love it every day.
For anyone who is out of work,say from an auto dealership,I'd suggest checking out working on small engines.They keep saying that the industry has fewer and fewer qualified/certified techs out there,so even though the pay scale isn't as good as automotive,it can be decent if you work hard at it.
Every year I attend the different update seminars,and almost all the faces attending are the same,so not much lay-offs.We've hardly ever slowed down.
Steve
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
Sorry, I don't agree at all. The three people on my drop-in crew (myself included) are all under 30. The drop-in crew works on planes that show up, sometimes with passengers, with problems that happened in flight, and the plane needs to get back out ASAP. I'll wager money the 3 of us can out work, and out troubleshoot any other 3 mechanics in the hangar of any age, and I have the most experience with only 7.5 years.
As for the engineer chest-thumping...it's quite common for the engineers to ask the MECHANICS how to come up with a proper repair definition for an airplane.
I can't count how many times I've heard "You fix it, and then we'll write a repair for what you did."
tankboy_taylor
Well-known member
Heavy truck mechanic for the last four years I work mostly on Kenworths,Freightliners and Macks.We also have alot of live floor trailers. The company I work for hauls trash and mail mainly.
Id say my skill level is intermediate I finally got to tear into a Cummins ISM Motor today and adjust the valves and injectors. It took alot of oil changes and grease jobs to get to this point.
I always laugh when we get a young new guy that thinks he is gonna bypass all the lower level matainence and proceed directly to engine overhaul etc. they usually never last long.
Id say my skill level is intermediate I finally got to tear into a Cummins ISM Motor today and adjust the valves and injectors. It took alot of oil changes and grease jobs to get to this point.
I always laugh when we get a young new guy that thinks he is gonna bypass all the lower level matainence and proceed directly to engine overhaul etc. they usually never last long.
The key word here is repair. You fix it in the field. The engineers will design a solution that will eliminate the failures.
Regardless.
Elroy smells a rat:
No A Pmech aint 24 years old and I doubt he has a A & P license but he does have a lot of knowledge. He also has zero credibility. I don't believe a single thing he has to say.
Why does he feel compelled to lied about his back ground ?
Who knows
Elroy also ventures to say that the author on his posts is not the same youthful chap shown rebuilding the band saw.
Our friend here comes across as such "the" expert but then can't tell the truth on who he is and how old he is.
His credibility has a hole in it so damn large you can fly a plane through it.
Remember the Male Nurse.
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caper
Well-known member
Thank You.
Which do you think is easier to get into, Ontario or Quebec?
I can't speak to quebec,never lived there,never would.To many bad experiences driving through and dealing with ignorant people.Judging by the amount of immigrants in the Toronto area I would guess it's the preferred immigration location.It's getting hard to find natural born canadians in the city anymore.I have worked with many guys in Toronto who immigrated to Canada.From what I remember most came here and started an apprentice program and got their licenses that way.I'm not saying this to be racist so don't take it that way and it's just what was expressed to me when I moved there looking for work but most places that I applied for work around the outskirts of the city offered me jobs because I could speak english and knew my stuff.Most of their applicants were east Indian and spoke little english.At the time I had no ticket and had self taught most of what I knew.They were willing to give me a job as long as I agreed to take an apprenticeship.Moose it's the kind of thing where you really just have to jump and do it.If you have somewhere to stay for awhile you should come over and try it out.It's alot easier to get info in person when your standing across the counter from someone than trying to get sense out of the Gov websites.
-B-
Well-known member
Elroy one point it is not age that imparts wisdom but time and the ability to learn.
"Cubicle engineers" those that have never been in the field that they supposedly have trained in are useless blights on today's society. They are the ones that are to blame for most of the useless designed garbage ever. In some cases they are to blame for some of the biggest failures in engineering today.
"Cubicle engineers" those that have never been in the field that they supposedly have trained in are useless blights on today's society. They are the ones that are to blame for most of the useless designed garbage ever. In some cases they are to blame for some of the biggest failures in engineering today.
1Garageman
Well-known member
I am a boring Computer Mechanic,
You didn't say what type now, LOL
You didn't say what type now, LOL
Im curious as to whether you went to school or not. I overhauled my first engine after 1 month in the field. I think alot of that has to do with the fact that I came out of school with alot of knowledge already. I tear into IH, Cummins, and CAT engines daily.
I dont know. Maybe my foreman just thought one day, "Hey, I want to watch this f'ing rookie **** himself on this overhaul!!"
HAH! Nice one. You almost had me there.
Theres joking around, and then theres just being ridiculous....