Mechanics moving on to better things

Any ex techs in either diesel or passenger cars move onto something better as far as pay, benefits, and all around a better well being? Killing my body to make other people money isn't exactly my idea of a good time. If so, please post your story. I'm personally at a crossroads, and have no idea of what field to look into. Any feedback is appreciated. Thanks

 

I was never a mechanic, but worked full-time in forestry and tree service work for years. It was awful on my body. I worked for myself for several years too. It's nice to make money for yourself, but suicide by work isn't an option. I'm now working full-time for a ski/ summer resort. It's way better on my body. I do still kill trees on the side part-time, when I feel like it. It's a good balance.

 

Yes, only in my 20s though. Was a hydraulic repairer on aerial equipment for about 6 months.


Got tired of squeezing my tall ass under dashes and in turntables to get to hydraulic lines/fittings.
Now I'm on a construction crew building roads, sit in a seat all day with a radio and ac moving levers and pushing buttons

 

Also, might have way more luck in the career/job section.

Mod could move it for you

 

Everything goes in 2nd gen

 

I was gonna say.... and this is in the 2nd gen section why?

 

I’ve been working as a mechanic since the day after I graduated high school.
My first stop was a small aircraft salvage and repair shop. Mostly crop dusters like the grunman ag cat and some thrush with the turbine core engine. Learned a lot. Always had a passion for flying. Next stop was firestone. Started out at the bottom of the totem pole and worked my way up earning my ASEs. Very shitty pay. Next stop was a Honda powersports dealer. Worked for them for a while for decent pay until I got word that they were getting bought out and had plans to lay everybody off. Packed my shit and left. Couple small shitty shops with some of the worst management I have ever seen. Then I made my way to the shop I’m at now as a lead tech. Good pay. Good schedule. 40 hours. All other shops are 55-70 hours a week. Fuck that shit. Not worth it. Im currently looking to get out of the game. I’m currently 27 years old. I want to go back to flying and possibly get my rotor rating and maybe do something with that. It’s a good set of skills to have. Doing jobs on the side helps a lot.

 

A lot of people work in physically demanding jobs that they enjoy. Many can do the work when young, but the smart ones get the training and education in order to stay in the same field but work in a management or supervisor role as they age. I have a neighbor who is an electrician by trade. He worked for many years doing the hard manual labor and knows the trade well. He is in his mid 50's now and works for a company estimating the jobs his company bids on. He has to know how the job is best done, but most of his work now involves reading blueprints and doing math. If he estimates the costs too high then someone else gets the bid, too low and his company doesn't make as much profit.

Of course if you're doing work you don't enjoy then find something you do before you get too old to make the move.

 

I have great respect for those in trades who work hard. Made some good friends with some mechanics and a shop owner who was friendly and taught me a lot as I wrenched on some projects of my own many years ago before I had kids.

Good luck to your endeavors.

 

This is all sound advice. The responses are appreciated. Marshall has nailed my thinking. My company does offer tuition reimbursement provided its for a future job at said company. From what I understand they don't make you sign a letter of intent or death contract. Greegunc, how happy are you moving levers as far as benefits and pay? I'm not asking what you make of course. Just your overall happiness and quality of life. Lastly, you can move the thread if you'd like. I posted it in 2nd Gen because that is what I own and love thinking others would be similarly like-minded. Thanks again for the feedback

 

I went about things in a strange way. I got an engineering degree and then went in th army. After 4 years, I got out, but had a hard time finding an engineering job. I was marketable as a supervisor since I’d been an officer in the Army, but I wanted to be an engineer. I ended up going back to a community college and got an associates degree in automotive technology and start d working in a dealership. I did that for a few years, but started to stagnate. I moved into the parts room. I liked that for a while, but ultimately went back to gets a masters degree. I now run an engineering test lab for a manufacturing company. I have 2 technicians who work for me, I get to play with tools a fair amount, but I get a wide variety of tasks.

 

When I was a mechanic the only prior experience I had was training in hydraulics so I was still new.

My foreman left the company a couple months ago and is now making 100k a year with insurance and some other stuff.
Not sure what it adds up to but my dad in construction was offered almost $3000 a week driving around in a car making sure jobs were going the way their supposed to


Construction I've been doing most of my life, my dad had his own business before the recession and I would go with him when I was little. Once I got older I'd go work with him as a laborer. I've since got a better paying job, I am working out of state and usually work in the 60-70hr a week area.



I do make a good bit more than other people my age, but I have been pretty lucky do to my dad having done it so long and know people in the same feild. I am only 20 and mechanic for 6 months while construction I guess you could say a year. Mostly on and off in the summer for school.

 

What did you do at the dealership before parts?

 

LOL, that's awesome for you for sure. I don't have that kind of luck nor do I have friends or family in the trade.

 

I've been a mechanic for about 13 years now. I've been with the same company that whole time(penske dealer). Its a union shop, the money and hours are decent. I haven't really though much about leaving it, but if the time ever comes where i feel like i can't do it anymore, im sure i will have some options with what i want to do. Im 32 now and i still feel pretty good. Not really sure what i else i would do though outside of the automotive field, lol.

 

You and I are in the exact same boat on just about every single statement. From what I understand you do feel pretty good. Until you don't. By then, it's too late.

 

I do miss turning wrenches, I would go back if I could take just a small pay cut. 40 hrs a week and getting home at 5 was awesome

 

I emj

I enjoyed it as a hobby. Now that I do it for 40 hours a week, I don't even like doing oil changes.

 

Just wait till you working them 65hr weeks. Only have sundays off, you'll appreciate the 40 hr week

 

Another thing that sucks is buying all your own tools. I mean I love my tool collection but it’s so much damn money.