I want to go to work.....

[bill]

Answer is simple...boycott all stores that sell chinese made crap, and buy from local stores only...and eventually, the products will be made here again, by our workforce and we will have a better economy in the process.

 

[findinglemo]

that's a bummer for sure....I hope you find work soon! Good luck!

 

[ZZ4CutlaSS]

There is a big shortage for Diesel Techs we are always looking for new guys in our shop and we cant find any. It pays good usually $20 an hour where I live. Usually every Vocational School offers a Diesel course and most shops will hire first year students.

 

[onyxxtreme]

i hope you find some work dude
a few of my buddies who got out of the military, couldnt find a job.
I'm staying in for as long as I can stand it, don't feel like fighting over jobs.

 

[jasonreid]

There is a big shortage for Diesel Techs we are always looking for new guys in our shop and we cant find any. It pays good usually $20 an hour where I live. Usually every Vocational School offers a Diesel course and most shops will hire first year students.

I've thought about auto as a major when I do go back to school. Diesel might be an option as I really don't know anyone that can work on one and the same thing goes with transmissions...lol

Right now though, I really need to get back to work and my wife has decided that I'm going to be a truck driver against my wishes...

My biggest concern about that is I always get a red flag when a company is willing to hire someone immediately (provided they pass drug screens, etc.). That shows that they have an incredible turn over rate because it's a job no one wants to do.

My health can't stand it anymore either. I worked in a call center for five years and that sedentary life style has killed every bit of energy!

 

[DRIVEN]

The diesel suggestion isn't bad. I'm an auto tech and went through a 2 year program. After that we had the option to do an additional year for a diesel certificate. Normally it would have been a 2 year by itself. I went to work and a good friend stayed for diesel. Fifteen years later I've found that he has better job security and probably a better overall wage. Most automotive guys work flat rate and it can fluctuate wildly throughout the year. Typically a diesel shop will pay hourly. That means you actually get paid overtime when you come in early, stay late, or work the occasional weekend shift. It's heavy, smelly work but I think it's less economy sensitive than automotive. It's possible to work at a pace that you can be sure it's right when it leaves without worrying about "beating the book." When a truck, crawler or loader breaks down the customer WILL fix it because it's a necessary tool. The average soccer mom will only spend what she has to to get her Explorer to the next game. The gravy service/maintenance work just isn't there anymore. Some days it's still fun but not as profitable as it used to be. Even though I get faster and better at my job every year, my income has been basically flat for the last 12 years. My buddy has steadily made more every year. I HAVE to buy tools every month because there's a "new" coupler style or necessary fixture to perform a standard repair. My buddy buys tools when he WANTS to.

Can you afford to drive truck and go to school? It might suck for a couple years but may be worth it.

 

[jasonreid]

I can easily get a grant for school but one of my biggest concerns is going to be how I'll be able to have the time for school. This kind of job will put me in a position where I'll be gone from home for two to three weeks at a time and the time I have at home I'm going to want to spend with my wife and son.

That's one of the reasons I'm really against it is that it will lock me down for a length of time that I don't want to be that I can be using to improve my skill set in areas that I will enjoy.

I don't mind the idea of travelling the country. I do mind the idea of sitting on my *ss just as much as I did the last five years.