I haven't read every post but just skimmed through many of them.
I would have to disagree with the terminology about "mechanics getting screwed", I don't feel as though I am getting screwed and will not play the victim of my circumstances.
Personally, I am proud to be a mechanic and chose this profession on purpose, I didn't become a mechanic because I couldn't do anything else like some feel is the case.
I have been wrenching professionally now for going on my 25th year for the same employer. They have treated me well, I make good money and I am well respected for the skillset that I bring to the job every day. Many of the skills that I have developed over the years are due to constantly trying to improve my skills and knowledge from every day tasks and many, many skills are those that I have developed at my home shop and bring into my day job. My employer knows this and greatly appreciates my professionalism and dedication to my job.
My employer provides the large tools such as welders, grinders, lathe, drill press and many other power tools. Each mechanic is responsible to provide their own hand tools and any power/pnuematic tools that they deem necessary to complete their job in a timely fashion.
That said, I have probably around $15k dollars in my "work" toolbox to do my job. This includes all of the basics (sockets, wrenches, pliers, screwdrivers, etc.) plus many pnuematic tools, VOM, test equipment and quite a few specialty tools necessary for working on specific pieces of equipment. I also have invested in things like tap & die set, drill bits and some large wrenches even though our company provides these things, it never fails whenever I have needed them someone else is either using them or they have failed to take care and return or have returned a broken tap or drill bit. Nothing frustrates me more than a two minute job turning into a 20 minute job because you have to go looking for a tool or exchanging a broken tool. I feel I am more professional having my own and not having to rely on the "shop's" tool crib to do my job.
I have in contrast many co-workers who feel the total exact opposite and use the company's tool crib as an excuse when they cannot get something done. They also have the absolute bare minimum of the required tools to do their job. These are the same ones who seem to struggle with every aspect of doing their job, from following company policy changes to working with any sense of urgency. They wear me out watching them walk from one side of the shop to the other to grab one wrench or one socket out of their toolbox and then walk across the shop to grab one bolt. They don't think ahead and grab the tools necessary to complete a certain task even though they have probably done that job a hundred times and know what is required.
Just the other day we had one of our new forklifts in the shop that had just recenlty gone out of warranty. It had an electrical issue and once I diagnosed the problem I realized that they were using the Doestch style barrel connectors which none of our other equipment uses. I went home that night and was able to find a pair of crimpers online and got them ordered. I knew that to do my job properly I would need to have a pair of these in my toolbox.
Within the next few days as I was trying to share with my co-workers what I had found and gave them a place to get the crimpers. I could not believe all of the bitching and moaning because how could the company actually expect them to buy a pair of crimpers to work on equipment that was specifically related to their job? They brought it up in a crew meeting and insisted that the company purchase a set of crimpers. I spoke up and said I am going to hate to have to hunt for them when I needed them, that is why I purchased my own. Most did not agree with me so the company said they would buy one pair. I am curious to see how long that lasts.
I cannot understand all of the entitled attitudes around my workplace lately. I know the inherent responsibilities with my job and what is required of me to perform my duties, I cannot understand why others cannot see that.
Mike.
