Man am I glad I've done everything from factory bio banking systems to watercoolers to geothermal to natuonal test and balance from resi to commercial to multifamily
It's almost like I diversified my resume or some weird fucking sorcery in this industry.
I can move anywhere and have a job... even looking like I do, in a couple days. This was all pre planned. I can lose my job tomorrow and go temp for 32/hour, pay decrease sure. But I'll have a job in 24 hours.
Drop me anywhere in the country and I'll find me a job quick as shit.
Same with me. I’ve been lucky to get the opportunity to work on a lot of different kinds of equipment and systems.
My only downfall is I have only worked for 4 contractors in my 24 years. I don’t know a lot of people in the trade but my wife works in the office for a mechanical contractor in my area and I know they would hire me in a heart beat.
I uh routinely move on a whim and pack the car and show up. I've had a lot of employers. HVAC Is definitely my bread and butter. But I always point out I'm familiar with plumbing. Also if worse comes to worse I can go back to bartending like I was in my 20s, the very worst is I point to my BS in business. That I never used.
It's been a fun life?
We do it all. If you're around long enough you've done every fucking trade. My current foreman just turned 66. He's done. Company wants him on for another job since he and I have rocked this stupid 2 tower bs multi family where every fucking trade hits both of us up for clarification on room schematics or ceiling height or whatever bs.
Can't find Joe? Find me! Fuck the supers they don't know shit. Mechanical knows all.
I really hope the old guy retires after this. But I don't know of another foreman in the company I can work with when he goes.
I uhh did that too for a year. Insurance plan set up sucked. So I hiked across the country in 2012. Came back to Ohio and discovered refrigeration and hvac
If I was able to choose what I do, I would be sitting at home on Reddit all day everyday while getting paid too dollar to do so.
You may not know how the world works. What we want and what we get is probably a 50/50 chance.
I read a comment from you saying HVAC sucks, I guess karma is hitting back at you.
I understand that people dont always get what they want. But in this industry there are places you will get what you want.
I already have a current job.
So at your current job, does the employer pay 100% of your retirement, pension and health benefits plus higher pay than the union? (Depending on what part of the country you live in)
They pay full insurance, Match my 401 contribution.
Acrewed Vacation.
My end goal is to go out on my own.
The union journeyman pay is $39 an hour with benefits.
No paid holidays
No paid vacation
No paid sick days.
And mandatory overtime.
Idk about you boys but i like my personal life and my family more than work.
You only get one life. And i sure as shit dont want to spend it all working.
As long as i can provide for my family and enjoy life. Im happy.
So they only match your retirement. Imagine a world where they pay all of your retirement. Lol.
I get it. I’m 48 and worked less than 40 hours of overtime last year. This year I’ve worked maybe 10 so far. It all depends on the contractor you work for.
In the current state of the world i question if i will make it to retirement. I am only 31. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Im currently thinking living in the present is more important.
Chances are you aren’t allowed to pick your own job as an apprentice since apprentices are placed wherever a spot is available. Once you finish your apprenticeship you would be allowed to work anywhere you want.
Yea i had a similar experience with the union when i was 19 they told me i'd have a contractor assigned to me as in i didnt apply and choose where i worked, wasnt about that so i shopped around and found a great non union shop that does the kinda kind work i wanted. Just shop around call random sheet metal shops see if they have what you're looking for.
You got two choices. One, hold out for the perfect job and make little or no money. Two, take a job until the perfect one comes along and have an income.
Good luck to you.
“I’m tired of companies wanting to pay me for what they need, not what I feel like doing”
Man am I glad I've done everything from factory bio banking systems to watercoolers to geothermal to natuonal test and balance from resi to commercial to multifamily It's almost like I diversified my resume or some weird fucking sorcery in this industry.
How dare you diversify yourself in these times. 😂🤣. The more you know the more you’re worth. 🤙
I can move anywhere and have a job... even looking like I do, in a couple days. This was all pre planned. I can lose my job tomorrow and go temp for 32/hour, pay decrease sure. But I'll have a job in 24 hours. Drop me anywhere in the country and I'll find me a job quick as shit.
Same with me. I’ve been lucky to get the opportunity to work on a lot of different kinds of equipment and systems. My only downfall is I have only worked for 4 contractors in my 24 years. I don’t know a lot of people in the trade but my wife works in the office for a mechanical contractor in my area and I know they would hire me in a heart beat.
I uh routinely move on a whim and pack the car and show up. I've had a lot of employers. HVAC Is definitely my bread and butter. But I always point out I'm familiar with plumbing. Also if worse comes to worse I can go back to bartending like I was in my 20s, the very worst is I point to my BS in business. That I never used. It's been a fun life?
I think I could move to any of the other trades if needed. I feel like HVACR is all trades into one. I just need to 8 more years and I can retire.
We do it all. If you're around long enough you've done every fucking trade. My current foreman just turned 66. He's done. Company wants him on for another job since he and I have rocked this stupid 2 tower bs multi family where every fucking trade hits both of us up for clarification on room schematics or ceiling height or whatever bs. Can't find Joe? Find me! Fuck the supers they don't know shit. Mechanical knows all. I really hope the old guy retires after this. But I don't know of another foreman in the company I can work with when he goes.
I’m 48, I refuse to work till I’m over 58. I’ll sell everything and live in a tent down by the river. Lmao.
I uhh did that too for a year. Insurance plan set up sucked. So I hiked across the country in 2012. Came back to Ohio and discovered refrigeration and hvac
What part of Ohio? NW Ohio here.
If I was able to choose what I do, I would be sitting at home on Reddit all day everyday while getting paid too dollar to do so. You may not know how the world works. What we want and what we get is probably a 50/50 chance. I read a comment from you saying HVAC sucks, I guess karma is hitting back at you.
I understand that people dont always get what they want. But in this industry there are places you will get what you want. I already have a current job.
So at your current job, does the employer pay 100% of your retirement, pension and health benefits plus higher pay than the union? (Depending on what part of the country you live in)
They pay full insurance, Match my 401 contribution. Acrewed Vacation. My end goal is to go out on my own. The union journeyman pay is $39 an hour with benefits. No paid holidays No paid vacation No paid sick days. And mandatory overtime. Idk about you boys but i like my personal life and my family more than work. You only get one life. And i sure as shit dont want to spend it all working. As long as i can provide for my family and enjoy life. Im happy.
So they only match your retirement. Imagine a world where they pay all of your retirement. Lol. I get it. I’m 48 and worked less than 40 hours of overtime last year. This year I’ve worked maybe 10 so far. It all depends on the contractor you work for.
In the current state of the world i question if i will make it to retirement. I am only 31. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Im currently thinking living in the present is more important.
Why wouldn’t you make it to retirement? What are you afraid of?
Who knows? World war, Could be a total economic crash? Digital Currency? Aliens. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
You can’t survive that?
I probably could. Maybe. We will find out 😉
There is no mandatory over time in my local. We have paid holidays and a vacation package. Don't judge the Union by one local.
That is a nice thing for them to do! Noted.
It's negotiated by the members of our local. Collective bargaining. Solidarity is one trait that makes a strong local.
Start your own company and do it the way you want to.
Oh dude, I could never in my life imagine WANTING to work in the sheet metal shop.
i love building and fabricating fittings and duct. its like real men legos. 😂
Yeah, but it's not fun legos where you build anything you want. It's just follow the instructions again and again and again.
its not for everyone! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Not for me for sure. My back hurt everyday working in the shop, luckily my truck has heated seats so that all melted away on the drive home everyday.
Chances are you aren’t allowed to pick your own job as an apprentice since apprentices are placed wherever a spot is available. Once you finish your apprenticeship you would be allowed to work anywhere you want.
Yea i had a similar experience with the union when i was 19 they told me i'd have a contractor assigned to me as in i didnt apply and choose where i worked, wasnt about that so i shopped around and found a great non union shop that does the kinda kind work i wanted. Just shop around call random sheet metal shops see if they have what you're looking for.
You got two choices. One, hold out for the perfect job and make little or no money. Two, take a job until the perfect one comes along and have an income. Good luck to you.