Any mechanics?

[jdawg90 10+ year member]

I'm trying to choose a career and being a mechanic is my first choice atm. I know it's hard work and long hours but that's not a problem. What makes me hesitant is reading message boards and all the old guys saying if you have any brains you will pick another career path. One guy was saying that with flat rate the most experienced guys end up getting screwed being stuck on diagnostic jobs that don't pay out for ****, while the younger guys rack up hours doing brake jobs and similar stuff. Then there's the incompetent service managers.

Any advice?

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[Jes 42 10+ year member]

I'd just listen to the people that are in the field and have experience.If its really what you wanna do then put your nose to the grindstone and

to hell with what everyone else says...good luck!

 

[Kingstroker 10+ year member]

ever check into marine or small aircraft mechanics?

 

[jdawg90 10+ year member]

ever check into marine or small aircraft mechanics?

No but I'm about to.

 

[05trailblazer 10+ year member]

honestly if your going to choose a carrier chose what you like and love man! what the whole point of spending your hours going to college to study that carrer and then end up not satisfied with it. so choose what you like not what other folks say.

 

[jdawg90 10+ year member]

honestly if your going to choose a carrier chose what you like and love man! what the whole point of spending your hours going to college to study that carrer and then end up not satisfied with it. so choose what you like not what other folks say.

Well I like to fix things, I just think the bullshit involved with working at a dealership would make me not happy with my job. There's gotta be other trades that are similar, I just don't know what.

 

[Sleeklsc 5,000+ posts]

Check out...

https://www.ericthecarguy.com/kunena/index

He has lots of vids on yt about what it's like being a mechanic and different things you'll run into.

YT:

etcg1

and

Ericthecarguy

 

[CHEMMINS 10+ year member]

Heavy duty mechanic.....then you can fix light autos as well. You get in an actual truck shop fixing big rigs and less of the stealership mentality. And heavy duty mechanics are always in demand = full time employment = monies always.

 

[Lowflyin 10+ year member]

I was gonna recommend aircraft mechanic also.

 

[jockhater2 10+ year member]

I'm trying to choose a career and being a mechanic is my first choice atm. I know it's hard work and long hours but that's not a problem. What makes me hesitant is reading message boards and all the old guys saying if you have any brains you will pick another career path. One guy was saying that with flat rate the most experienced guys end up getting screwed being stuck on diagnostic jobs that don't pay out for ****, while the younger guys rack up hours doing brake jobs and similar stuff. Then there's the incompetent service managers.
Any advice?

My brother in law is the lead BMW mechanic in Austin Texas. Last time I saw him was July 2012 and he was making $29 an hour and flagging 60-70 hours a week.

But the main reason he got hired at the shop in Texas is because the owner knew my Dad who owned his own European Auto shop here in Wisconsin and my brother in law worked at the shop for 2-3 years. And after my dad died. My brother in law and my sister ran the shop for a year by themselves. So he had a good looking resume and experience when he went applying.

best advice. Work for an independent shop and if it were me. I'd go with European/Japanese for auto repair.

 

[blobb454 10+ year member]

I work in service as a service writer. I woke with all my techs all day long. Honestly, it's fun for the lost part. Talk **** all day and laugh. Employees want **** fixed for free, customers expect things repaired fast when it's electrical or something extremely difficult. Warranty doesn't pay all that great. Accessories don't pay **** for installs either. I have a tech that is a genius and busts his *** daily. He gets a mix if gravy and extremely technical repairs too. Us writers try to keep him happy with the gravy pay cause he will go out of his way for you as well.... It's very tough! Grass is always greener on the other side too when you are at one place. Be the best tech and I'd say it is rewarding!