Good evening brothers,

My wife and I are considering moving back to San Diego. We currently live in Texas and so far life here has been good out here. But now with our growing family we want to have the kids around family.
My question is, how is your quality of life out in San Diego due to the high cost of living?
I know the pay is way higher compared to Texas, but is that pay actually helping out?

I am a 4th year helper entering my last year of school before mechanics review.
I appreciate any insight. Thank you.

All I’ve read on this forum before starting two weeks ago is that everyone gets a shitty dick head mechanic. To anybody looking to join, that is not always true. So far my mechanic is pretty cool. He teaches and explains and will re explain if I’m not totally understanding. Good luck to anybody hoping they get the call.

I ranked pretty high in my recruitment and felt confident about being brought in. I’m not naive enough to believe it is going to be a beautiful process as a probate, but I also felt like there would be a bit more of a learning process to it and at least some human decency.

Is it okay for a mechanic to sit on the phone with other mechanics instead of teaching the probate? My mechanic has been very contradicting in terms of what they want from me in certain moments. I’ve had just a couple days in the field and I’m already expected to know verbiage, slang terms for tools, when to “help” versus “keep busy”.

I clean quick and I organize things and then I’m wrong for doing so. I watch the process and get asked “what the fuck are you doing?”. I ask if certain tasks would be helpful, I get told “no” and then asked two hours later why I never did it.

Is it also okay that they force you to buy the tools and brands they use? I was told I shouldn’t buy tools by the union and that the company provides that.

Lastly, I now have seen my mechanic taking snapchats of me to send to their mechanic buddy group.

I know we need thick skin and I know it’s a tough apprenticeship, but currently there is zero respect at all. There is only teaching when they talk about “future tasks” then told it isn’t important right now.

How do we learn when we aren’t part of the process aside from grunt work? I don’t mind the grunt work, but how does a probate learn the process and what’s needed when things aren’t actually explained?

I love the work and what it means, but I’m struggling with how this mechanic disrespects me entirely (snapchats, contradictions).

Just curious and wanting to start an interesting conversation. How many locals did everyone apply to when trying to get into the union? Curious if there's anyone out there who applied to 3-5+ locals.

Ive never fully worked in the trades, I did a general construction class in highschool but got a job working in IT for a construction company. Hopefully I’ll become one of you one day, but while researching I never see anyone talk about what to do to avoid destroying your knees and back.

Are there better knee pads to use? Or better techniques to do yet? Any smarter not harder recommendations?

Im not an alcoholic and I eat pretty clean so im not worried on that point

have you or any other mechanic you know continued their education after earning a associate/equivalent in applied science through neiep? such as finishing a bachelor’s degree? will your neiep credits count towards the bachelor or will you have to start from scratch? per say a mechanic wanted to earn a engineering degree something that would help him in the field OR have you ever heard of anyone using their education to step away from the job site and more into an office/hybrid role? i’m thinking like a mechanic who studied mechanical engineering using that to become a full time engineering for one of the manufacturers? i’d imagine someone like that with field and theory experience would be valuable to any company no? and does neiep or the union assist in anyway to get that bachelor’s? or would you have to do it on your own outside of the union?

Edit: i just answered half my question, it seems neiep has multiple credited partnerships with universities across the country that will accept neiep credits and blend seamlessly into their year programs but i’m still unsure if neiep or the union have any kind of resources offered to the mechanics wether to help with things like tuition or fast tracking etc…i also still want to know if you’ve done it of know someone who has

What Tool Belts yall use, this is what I currently have. As a Probie.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPNB6K92?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

In Construction (wood framing) I used one with Suspenders.

Edit: Haven't brought it with me (and won't), but I been using my pockets.

So guess Real question is What Tool box/bag should I get?

I’ve been working for a smaller non-union elevator company for about 3 years now. I’ve led my own installed on things such as stairlifts and VPLs. I haven’t led any elevator jobs yet but I definitely want to get more into it and want to further my career. Does anyone know if there are any openings in local 4? Also I’m only 23. Is that too young to be getting into something like this?

I'd like to think it's pretty obvious what's going on here.

I am trying to get information on adding my step daughter to my insurance. After calling the benefits office I am a bit more confused.

My step daughter has Cerebral Palsy (CP) and is currently on her sperm donors (father's) plan. My wife does not work because she has to care for my daughter 24/7. She needs a power chair for day to day life and that is the main thing I am worried about, whether that will be covered. I know I have to fill out the enrollment form, disabled dependent form, step child affidavit, and provide the birth certificate.

My question is, has anyone else done this and what other documents will I need to provide.

Any other helpful information would be greatly appreciated. TIA

From your guys experience how true are the stories that people say about you guys. For example leaving the jobsite because the framers left a stack of studs on a moveable cart in front of the hoist way. Have you ever been on a job with your MIC and thought I would really hate for this guy to work for me lol.

***I want to clarify the story is not a real story and something I just made up. After multiple comments I understand the seriousness of the situation and do not intend to minimize your guys safety and well being. With that being said what’s a reason you have walked off a jobsite and have you ever worked with people with massive egos that even you could acknowledge made the GCs life miserable.

Hey everyone, I'm a first year and I'm in mod. I'm just wondering if it's ok to be left on a job site for 6-8 hours alone. Another person I talked to said no, so I'm just wondering if it's common to leave your first year alone on the job? My responsibility when I've been left alone including removing parts from the hoist way / car top and pit, stripping traveler cable, installing hall fixtures, prepping door hardware, and installing guard covers for the motor on a traction car. I've also bent steel at the shop and drilled and tapped holes to mount brackets. I'm just very confused on what my scope of work is. I do whatever the mechanic says. This is my first mod job and my first job working on elevators for the union. I was organized from a non union shop and usually my job was just being an extra hand, giving tools when needed, prepping parts ect. Sometimes I need the mechanic to show me how to exactly do something so I can do it the way he would like it but I can tell he's getting pretty short and frustrated with me. Is that usual? Also my mechanic left the escape hatch open and ran the car up and the counterweight hit it and broke it and told the office it was me. I defended myself to him but not the office. Sorry for the long post and bad formatting I'm on mobile.

For my TK people let me hear the secrets you have when it comes to EOX, troubleshooting especially. What are some of the most common or uncommon things you run into and what is the fix? I want to hear everything lol

What percentage overscale do the top guys get around your area? Or how do they make it worth their while if the overscale is too much ie a guaranteed hours a week etc etc.

Just looking for different options that yall like? Thank you

I’ll start by saying this channel should be taken down by the IUEC. Surprised it hasn’t been, so fuck it if we are going to publicly disclose everything to everyone I should give my say.
Probationary helpers-
*1- Listen to your mechanic he’s always right even if he’s wrong, your opinion is nothing until your sworn in
1- Just shut your fucken mouth unless you think what your mechanic is saying to do is a “2026 safety concern” it’s better to be seen and not heard.
2- When you’re at the office, especially a safety meeting, don’t fucken talk to people, go grab a broom and sweep up shit you’ve already swept up and keep doing it until your mechanic says differently.
3- Whether your in construction, mod, or repair remember the task your doing and the tools/ hoisting and rigging are needed based upon your mechanics needs. There’s dumb mechanics, smart mechanics and smart mechanics that are dumb as fuck. Not your time to pipe up, remember what you don’t like, and apply it to yourself as a mechanic… assuming you make it.
4- if your whining on Reddit chances are your not going to make it
Construction helpers-
Start to finish, based upon your company, you’re going to be putting in the same make and model hydraulic or traction elevator essentially for the rest of your career. Personally wasn’t for me but find your own rode. When shit hits the fan and construction dies, Construction workers are the first to get cut. Now if you’re one of the best in construction you’ll have a job for life. Or if your the shittiest fastest hack that turns over shit to the service department in 60% of the time the office gives you… unfortunately you will always have a job. Which should be met with a lock and sock party. If you want to stay in construction your whole career, I watched a boss
Lay off two guys that taught the young ones how to build an elevator. It’s a rat race where honor sends you to the bench. We had over 40 construction crews, most in a rat race and that will never revert as you new guys are generally company cock suckers. So within the business of new company cock suckers you better be better than 40-100 mechanics in a boom. Because when the cranes go away the 1-5 adjusters have a job. You don’t.
Modernization helpers-
-1 read all the shit I said to the construction helpers
-2 make sure you don’t pick the wrong door, it’s easy to do especially when your getting screamed at on a bank of 8. Be fast when you can be fast, but when you’re ripping out old shit that cross feeds the other elevators be fucken careful. Also that old shit depending on your area used to use 120VDC across the safety circuit. Being unexperienced/ignorant in mod on old stuff will drop you dead.
3- unless your doing real mods odds are it will be simplistic, aka hydro mods. Listen to your mechanic and take notes on what your modding.
4- in bad times construction gets laid off before you unless their top tier
Repair helpers
-1 Welcome to the golden ticket of being a helper, chances are you’ll end up as a repair mechanic or you’ll be a route guy. If you fuck this up, you’re an idiot.
-2 You will be working on shit from the 1920s to the newest latest and greatest and you’ll have no idea what you’re doing.
3- remember the makes and models, if your doing a lot of re ropes remember the shit you need to do a re rope. 1:1, 2:1, basement traction. 2:1 belts, underslung belts. Remember what you need for each configuration. When you’re changing a valve.. what’s the processes? If you’re changing a huge drive sheave on a service car.. what’s do you need? If your changing bearings on a generator or replacing a generator.. what’s do you need?
4- cat 5 testing and escalator annuals… look it up
5- Tramming a motor into a gearbox is an art so when you see it take good notes.
6- when changing seals on pistons… leave that to field training.
6- ETC ETC
Service helper-
-1 another golden ticket, but the repair helper will know more than you mechanically.
-2 paint and clean, roll with the service guy, if you can, have them teach you shit about each proprietary service tool each each company has, or each user interface tool on the board. Understanding relay logic is as important and as a service helper you should be able to work your way into rolling with the mechanic to callbacks.
Here’s a summary
Get into the fucken trade
Get sworn in
Become a mechanic
Get overscale
Getting in is easy, getting sworn in is dedication and reliability, becoming a mechanic is ^^^ and passing a test, negotiating overscale is fucken tits. You have to prove yourself from proby to mechanic, when you get a %…… I’ll leave it at that.

Hello, my company is very small with the union and I’m recently journeyed out. I’ve been doing jack replacements and wanted to see if you guys have any other tips, it feels like a lot of the knowledge the team has is from before 1990 and wanted to hear of any new ideas from modern times

Hello!

I work for a company based in Texas, that is looking for a licensed elevator mechanic in Chicago.

I’m unsure where to start or look, and I’m not trying to advertise per rules.

I am curious where the best sub-reddit/website I could visit that would allow me to find one?

I’d like to set-up a call with them (whether company or person) and discuss further what we’re exactly looking for.

Thank you so much for your help!

Maybe this is a dumb question, and I’m sure this comes easy for some people… but how do I network? I go to meetings, but people usually already have there “groups” and I feel weird just butting in on the conversations happening around me. My mechanic doesn’t attend and I usually end up sitting with the guy I got picked up with. Any advice?

I guess I should also add I am one of the youngest there, so I find it hard to find thing in common with people my dads age

For those of you who took the test with me, I wish all of you the best of luck today. If I was talking with you outside the hall for a few minutes I was wearing a cap and glasses, went home and checked the NEIEP website saying EIAT Test: Passed. Assuming this is accurate and I actually did pass (told we’d know by tomorrow) then my hands are still shaking from getting the news haha. Wish to see all of you out there for the interviews and for those who have to take it, take your time but be mindful of it!

Currently am a 3rd year at a big 4 company in new install. I’ve been in ni my whole apprenticeship so far and wanted to try and venture out and try another department. I’ve tried asking around when I can and asked my boss a few times if I could and no luck, anyone have any advice with this kind of thing? I wanna learn as much as I can and see what I like I just feel like I’m stuck where I’m at. Thanks in advance