97badass

iTrader: (8)

When i was a panel beater my wife was a manager at wendys... She made as much as I did. We both quit our jobs and make more money but she drives 60 miles to work now.

transbird95

iTrader: (4)

Well I guess I'm the first guy to tell you I love my job! I love what I do just not where I work is the best way to put it. I am not a dealer tech though I do fleet maintenance for a delivery company. I have been a mechanic for over 6 years. I love diagnostic and power train work. I know fleet mechanics are looked at as the "trashy grease monkeys" in the industry but its is a great way to get plenty of experience. It is a bit more laid back than dealers and you don't have to fight for hours.
I personally would like to get into more engine building and machine work but I am a little stuck right now because my gf and I want to get a house and get married and start a family...... What I am trying to say is it isn't as bad as some make it to be. There are lots of better paying jobs and a lot less paying jobs out there and you will have good days and bad. hope this helps.

I8ASaleen

iTrader: (9)

Go to school to become an Aviation Mechanic. You won't want to be a bitch in an oil shop making minimum wage.

Big Al

iTrader: (1)

Let's confuse this with some facts:

http://www.simplyhired.com/a/salary/...-Auto+Mechanic

Al 95 Z28

MasterTomos

iTrader: (15)

I wouldn't say that $36,000 is all that impressive for a career. 18 year old kids can make that their first year welding/doing factory work around here.

SS RRR

iTrader: (2)

I know that part of the reason why techs are treated like crap is because of service managers who attempt to try and take everyone for a fool and justify their bullshit reasoning. I've dealt with enough of them that this holds true more so than not. They are out to make money and sometimes techs are collateral damage, however there are some techs who just don't give a ****. Two of the biggest instances I have been in was suing Frank Parra Chevrolet in Irving, TX for not honoring a warranty claim, which was settled out of court because they knew they'd loose. The other was when a "tech" stole the Hurst shifter from my car and replaced it with the stock pile of trash, like I wouldn't notice.
The following listed instances as well as many other small experienciences with GM is pretty much they can go **** the couches they sit on.

On a side note, can't believe Lingenfelter has been gone for that long...

69gto96z

iTrader: (13)

I worked 3 years in a shop during school before getting an internship. I did everything from changing oil, to state inspections, to routine maintenance. The pay sucked. I make $5 more an hour at my internship than I did at a shop, and will make twice as much after graduating college in May. It was fun I guess, made me HATE having to work on my own car. I almost went to UTI coming out of high school, but am very glad I didn't.

My advice, look into a different career field. You will be better of going to a tech school for an associates in IT or engineering than you will getting ASE certified. And there is more potential to move up, as much as it sucks, education is key.

sweetbmxrider

iTrader: (13)

If you do what you love you won't work a day in your life. Become a **** star and **** bitches for monies.

GreenBlood55

iTrader: (1)

Here is my story. I am 33 years old. I have been a paramedic for 9 years. I am burnt out. The average shelf life for a medic is about 5 years. I am well past that. Im weighing options on pretty much starting over at 33 years old. I am not going into the military. I have a young child, so travel is out. I make in the neighborhood of 48k a year. My wife makes more than I do, so I dont need a 50k+ a year job. But I do need to make at least 38k a year. Sitting at a desk 8 hrs a day and being a pencil pusher is not an option. I would get bored and walk away.

I need something that changes frequently. A new challenge each day, if you will.

In looking at job postings for mechanics or helpers, they ALL require experience. No experience, no chance.

How are you suppose to get the experience, if no one is willing to hire someone without it?!?!

I have always done my best to work on my own car/family cars and if I have the tools to do the job, i am very capable of fixing things.

Working as a mechanic I think will give me the daily change I need, and keep my attention.

Mako77

I put in 10 for Chevrolet. I'd have to agree that it's a thankless job. I went through the GM ASEP which is basically a auto tech program sponsored by GM.

1ltcap

you need to start off at the bottom. oil changer, tire changer, or general parts hanger.

ahritchie

iTrader: (1)

That said, service managers make a lot more money and don't have to get their hands dirty....I have a buddy who is a service manager at a local GM dealership and he makes over $70K with sales bonuses. That job is more about sales and customer service though rather than fixing cars....and dealing with idiots that know nothing about cars. You also get to be the middle man/punching bag between clients/management/techs. It might be worth considering if you really love cars and it has a better salary range.

1ltcap

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

what he said.

1ltcap

put yourself out there. walk into shops, and ask. don't be afraid to start off at the bottom. that can and will lead to higher positions, and learning.

guppymech

iTrader: (7)

Greenblood, Do you work for a independent ambulance service? In my town the fire department has paramedics also. If you work for your village can you transfer to the fire department side?
As far as becoming a auto mechanic, you're probably going to have to go to school and then find a entry level job from there. If you don't want to go to school I would apply to jobs in person and bring your car with you. If you run into the right person they may give you a chance and you can learn on the job.

GreenBlood55

iTrader: (1)

I work out of a fire house now. I have no interest in becoming a firefighter. I am a county employee.

05HD

I think the problem with trying to get started as a mechanic today is there are so many unemployed experienced mechanics right now from the restructuring of GM and Chrysler. Why would anyone hire fresh meat they need to train when there are 15 highly experienced A, B and C guys all lined up for that lube tech job.

1ltcap

if turning wrenches is what you want to do, then go for it. there will never be a shortage of demand for good technicians.

like i said.....go out and walk into different places of business, and ask if they're hiring. if they are, it may be a pretty shitty position to start, but that's ok.

if they want to hire you to simply sweep the floors, and clean up after the mechanics, then do it. when you've been there for long enough to get to know the mechanics, offer to assist if they need it. even if they just need you to hold a hose out of the way. you'll be surprised how far that gets you.
you'll learn a lot on the job. don't harp on ase certs. while a lot of shops want ase guys, the fact is that ase means nothing more than you're a good test taker. good shops will be more interested in what's in your head, not what patches you've got sewn on your sleeve. ase is a marketing tool. there was a day when it meant somethig to be ase certified, but those days are gone.

another option to try, is driving tow trucks for a repair shop. same thing. you can get your foot in the door to wrenching pretty easily from that.

guppymech

iTrader: (7)

You've probably thought of this but since you already work for the county, could you transfer to the county garage. Maint is simplified in a fleet environment.

MasterTomos

iTrader: (15)

I agree with this to an extent. Sometimes when people combine work and passions, they just get burnt out on their passions, which really sucks.