Any Heavy Equipment Techs Here?

So, I've been an accountant for 7 years...well 5 years employed. White collar work is pretty much dead in my area as half of downtown is completely vacant. All my white collar friends are still getting laid off to this day.

I am strongly considering a career change to something in the trades. My only friends who are still working are tradesmen, and they say their trade is insanely short staffed (I'm talking they apply for a few jobs and get offers for all of them...unlike my 1000 applications and 2 interviews as a result).

I'm absolutely terrified of this, but need something reliable, and I know in Alberta pretty much only the welders are having a hard time finding work. I'm 33...so still young, and would be starting at the bottom if I change jobs...but given the economy, I'd need to start at the bottom of accounting anyway, if I could ever get back into that.

One thing I have been fascinated with since I was a kid is diesel mechanics. I have worked in an auto mechanic shop for a year, that's not for me...but the big stuff is just fascinating! I guess I should also say I fix absolutely everything at home, toys, wiring, appliances, circuit boards, cars, you name it...I'm good with my hands, no job is too tedious and don't mind the dirt.

I have a plan set out for what I would do once becoming a journeyman, but am terrified of possibly changing careers.

I guess I'm just wondering if any of you guys are diesel mechanics or heavy equipment techs, and can give me any info on what it's like being one.

Thanks!

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Not a tech, but I was an operator for a decade, and helped out every time I had a breakdown. It's heavy, hard and dirty work. I watched a man crack open a hydraulic line on a backhoe without relieving the pressure and the oil went in at his wrist and came out of his elbow. Most of the guys had parts of fingers missing and cuts were expected on a daily basis. That being said, I always had fun working on the real life Tonka toys!

 

I drove 18 wheelers from 1964 to 2013 had my own equipment since 1981. Been to alot of shops and hardly met any mechanics that were really happy with their jobs. It's dirty and hot working in those shops. If something physical happens to you you could be out of work. Right now you could go to work even if you're in a wheel chair. Working nights, outside in bad weather is no picnic. If I could turn the clock, college and a white collar job for me. Good luck and think everything through. Sg75

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Saw that once too. Blew the fluid from his hand to his shoulder. He got himself a helicopter ride outta that one.

 

Been working construction my whole life. My general impression is that the only wrenchers that make decent money are the ones with their own rigs who travel. Otherwise, it is moderate pay at best and you need to invest five figures into tools just to get moving.

Operating is good work, but again, at least in my field you need to be willing to travel. Lots of money to be made, but not much of a home or family life. My experience is that you are either bored to death or scared to death, and there is no middle ground.

I would say it took me over ten years to get to a point where I could only "mostly travel", as opposed to "travel ass travel". And I work for half what I could.

I am not trying to discourage you, but it is a damn hard way to make a living. It is rewarding in that, pop a beer or fifteen after work, man card way, but I am not sure it is something I wish on anyone either. It is just what people do where I come from.

 

@youngunn is.

I would offer another solution, however. Have you considered moving? In my area, accountants are highly desired.

 

I hate working on trucks. Sure there is some satisfaction when you fix something. But it's either hot or cold, back breaking, painful work. Often times you are on call on weekends, and expected to take any call no matter what. You could work 24 hours straight because of this. They don't care. For you just starting out with no experience expect to only make 12 bucks an hour if that, if you can find someone to give you a shot as an apprentice. Most places want at least 2 years experience or a tech school degree. Then there's the tools...... Best bet is to go to harbor freight or princess Auto and get your toolbox and basic tools. Even then you're talking a couple grand. If you start buying off the trucks (snap on, matco) you can spend tens of thousands quick.

That being said, I make great money for my area, and I can find a job easily if I'm fired or laid off.

That being said I'm also considering making bath and shave soap for a living, seriously, and saving my hands and knees and feet from further abuse.

But, you gotta do what you can to survive in this world. If it's something you want to pursue, go around to all the shops and try to talk to the manager.

Good luck

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I saw a guy lose his finger because he pointed at an engine belt on a running engine and got too close.

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Every career looks great from the outside looking in. I used to hear, "I'd love to have your job."
No you wouldn't.

 

I have, but I need to be in a place where there is a center to treat my daughter's obscure medical condition...and right now she has really great pediatric GI specialists looking after her.

I have considered moving and working elsewhere, as my family stays behind...so far no dice.

But out of curiosity, what area are you in?

*********

I spoke to a diesel mechanic last night..turns out I have a few friends who are in the trade (husbands of my wife's good friends)....ones a journeyman and the other a 4th year apprentice. They pretty much said what everyone else here has said, that a trade was the best thing they have done. He gave me the truth from his point of view as to what to expect. He works in a shop with another buddy of mine, 9-5...and he gave me fair warning about tool prices, as well as what I can expect doing the work.

I've looked into other areas, nothing really catches my fancy that this. Millwright seems alright, but the one I know wouldn't wish the work on anyone because it's breaking his body down. Bricklayer and power engineering seems ok, but I don't know the demand for those in my area, plus I can't do heights right now. And a bunch of others I have looked into.

I'm gonna be stopping by the local tech college today to speak to them about it.

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Retired gear jammer here. You could get a job in a heartbeat. Dirty work and often dangerous.

Check out locksmithing. They say there is a shortage.

 

Now, that's a good suggestion

 

Dallas, Texas. Not close to you...but great job opportunities, phenomenal hospitals and doctors (half my family is in the medical field), and an incredible cost of living.

 

It's a difficult position to be in, but the tougher descision: is relocating to where the work is.
In my area we expierienced "brain drain" in 2009, when the economy took a dive and many tradesmen and professionals left the area. We now are experiencing more jobs than people to fill them.
Realize there is a light at the end of the tunnel: boomers will be leaving the work force en masses in the next few years, leaving more open positions than can be filled. Good news/bad news.

 

Let me give you a pipeliner's perspective about work travel:

I left building trades 15 years ago, because I was having a hard time making a go in my area. I went on the road, chasing pipeline work. My son was four, my daughter one. I was able to make a lot of money, have good benefits, my wife stayed home with kids until my daughter went to school, then worked part time.

But it sucked. Sure I had fun, if beer drinking and bars are fun.... Yeah, I didn't fret the bills, just everything else. Kids, family, family health, wife, neighbors, the furnace quit and you aren't there, a storm takes half your roof...... the fretting is every bit as much, it just isn't about money. In 2006 I spent four nights in my own bed between April and November, and filed income taxes in five states.

I missed things I will never get back, and if I had it to do over I'm not sure I would. Not really complaining, nobody chained me to jt, just hard to recommend it to anyone with a family.


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I don't know what you think of these jobs but I've given a lot of my money to these three occupations:

Plumbers
Veterinarians
Dentists

I've often thought I should have been a dentist and married a plumber.

 

I like the locksmithing suggestion above. Working with your hands and with the newer electronic lock systems it's techie too.

 

I know the the feeling. Was over the road for several years and worked 14 hours days when I did get local. Trucking was hard, but I made some benji-greens.

 

Thanks for all the advice guys. I don't know too much about locksmiths, but it can't hurt to look.

I had a good couple of chats with friends today, and even with the trades schools.

Lots to think about, and I know I've asked a loaded question in the OP, but just hearing about the experiences and advice you guys have, helps me be able to make a more educated decision.

My buddy just moved to Odessa TX, with Schlumberger...because of shutting down operations up here...he's gonna be buying some mansion there, because they are cheaper than a starter home where I live. But I don't think my wife would ever be willing to relocate down to TX.

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