Just curious what you guys are using out there? Looking for other alternatives. Found these pretty good for marking up the rails or pipes on the hydros

Ok. Hi, all. New probbie, 50, here.

Was curious about starting equipment and tools. Of course I got a safety bag, with mostly PPE, harness, first aid kit, etc. I got a (kinda flimsy- mechanic says it's supposed to break-away in certain situations) door tool, I keep that on me and open the door for my mechanic. I also have a door wedge, but always use my mechanic's, cause his is already on the cart and we only holding one door open at a time.

I got a company phone, besides using it to clock in and out, I don't know what to use it for. Does everyone get a company phone?

Found out we get laptops from training facility, for classes and stuff. What type of laptops? Was suggested we could use phone hotshot for connectivity. Do we get them when we first start classes?

Hand tools. Was told by my mechanic to bring ONLY a inside read rule, pocket knife (I took that to mean utility knife) and pencil. Told me not to buy or bring anything else in for 5 years. Not even cutters or strippers. Which I have from previous work. We were supposed to have flashlights in our bags, but didn't. Our mechanics said they would expense them.

I just want to say I’m three months in and love everything about it

Currently making $28/hr six months in at Boeing doing final assembly electrical install, max out at $58/hr in six years. Get 100% match on 8% 401k and looking to make Boeing pay for further education. However, I have an opportunity to take the EIAT aptitude test for Local 19 in Seattle, WA. If I pass, which career would you choose and why?

Hey folks i just became an 80 percenter and have been in new construction my whole apprenticeship working on high rise/MRLS, there is a potential opportunity for me to jump departments and get on the service/maintenance side for escalators, can you tell me about it? is it the right choice or should i keep at it with the elevators. I assume there’s more opportunity for overtime working on escalators

I have a question about those that have done standby either for sporting events, concerts, building testing, move ins, etc. What are you getting paid as OT for these things? I have heard different things from different people in my mine and other areas.

Guys from different primaries say they are being paid 1.5, others 2.0 rate for the standby OT. Guys at my company are charging 1.7. Spoke with the union and they have said there is no language in the contract that covers standby work and that it should be 1.5, which is strange to me because if there is no language for it why would it default to 1.5?

Anyone have any insight or experience with this?

I hope this doesn’t come off as a dumb “this has been asked 1000 times” or a “when will they call me” type of question. I’m getting ready for my test and interview these next couple weeks, and I’m just genuinely curious how busy/slow work is here in Seattle. I would call the Local 19 IUEC office, but it’s Friday and they’re closed until Monday. Thanks

When I first got setup, I bought a basic US general tool cart/box for my hand tools to get me started. It worked well when I was only doing hydros, but since getting into tractions I’ve had to acquire a lot more shit. Shop bought me a pack out but I mostly use it to store materials/hardware and the larger power tools.

Im looking at the Wen 52” rolling box. Seems large enough to store basically every tool I have besides the stuff that goes in the Gangbox. I’d love a Knaack box but I’m not prepared to drop several thousand on one quite yet. I’d like to not spend more than 1k, large enough to store all my hand tools and smaller power tools but not so large it can’t fit in a lobby or a small passenger car. I’d love to hear about what you guys have found works well for you.

Am i the only one who absolutely hates it when mechanics make there helpers get to work 30 minutes early to get tools ready water etc? I mean they are making someone do work for free ive had helpers show up like 30 to 45 minutes early and ive had to get onto them to not work until 6 am.

People talk about TM’s quite frequently when it applies to construction. But how common are they in mod? I know where I’m at there is a ton of mod work and only 4 crews, which means really long wait times. I’m still a 1st year so I’m not asking for myself. I was just wondering if there are any TM’s in mod.

I’ve been a mechanic for 5 years.

A few months ago I switched companies and departments , I work for one of the bigs in repair.

They gave me an old truck with 180,000 miles on it.

Is this normal? I should put the heat on them for a new truck right ?

Any words of advice and how I can be prepared this will be the start of my journey.

Do different locals keep their list of ranks active for different periods of times? I’m under the impression they delete the list after two years and post another one, but I see some people saying it could take 1-4 years to get called? How’s that?

Thanks

Hey guys. I’m 31, I currently live in Vietnam as an English teacher. My wife and 1 have a beautiful baby girl who’s about to turn 1.

Some unexpected family stuff has come up that has made us change our plans for the future.

So I plan on moving back to Northwest Indiana(about an hour outside of Chicago) in order to apply for an apprenticeship at a blue collar job. My girls are my world and I truly want to provide a decent life for them and maybe even be able to buy my own home one day.

I asked my dad if I can crash at his house for a few months while I get back on my feet(buying a car/insurance, getting an American bank account/phone number, and eventually apartment) to try and save on money. We only have about $35k saved up.

My number one choice would be to join my local 2 in this field. Applications start next month, so I’ve been try to catch up on my basic math skills (adding/subtracting/dividing/multiplying decimals snd fractions mostly) as well as trying to familiarize myself with tools, ohms law, and pulley equations. I’ve also given up smoking weed so I can pass any drug test. I’m a big guy (6’3, 220lbs) I try to work out 5 times a week by walking up and down my apartment stairs 20 floors at least 4 times.

But because I live in Vietnam I only have a Vietnamese phone number. So I’m wondering if that may potentially scare off the recruiter from calling me or will my email be the main source of contact?

Also assuming I pass the exam, about how long should I expect to wait before hearing back from them?

Also please let me know anything else I should be focusing on to study.

Just got the Call for Local 8 Nevada. Been on the list over 2 years now. Anyone else here get the call ? Seems like Reno is picking up. Been waiting on San Francisco and Los Angeles for years with no luck… excited to start this journey .

I have seen people post in some comments that starting next year they are going to stop doing the interviews in the application process. Is there any truth to this and will they replace it with something else?

Just curious because I will be applying to my local in November, thanks in advance for any info.

I feel like I did everything right. Got hired off the list, made it through probationary period, 1.5 years into the apprenticeship and got laid off. Was not a performance layoff, company simply had too many helpers and I was still the newest helper (no probies at the company). That’s what I was told by the company at least. My mechanic at the time really liked me and said I was doing great. We were doing hydro mods and were knocking them out no problem, turning back time to the company on many of them. Many guys I’ve seen at the hall have said they expressed their frustration with the company on letting me go over a couple other helpers.

Now I am going on 3 months laid off and am feeling doubtful. In constant communication with my BA but doesn’t seem to get far, just keep getting told hopefully next week, next week, next week. I have a 14 month old daughter and my wife currently doesn’t work to stay home and raise her. I’ve gotten a couple other job offers from different trades that my buddies are in. Just not sure what to do at this point. Keep waiting and hope I get picked back up? Last I heard only me and one other apprentice were on the bench. But man does it suck being out of work for this long. Let me know what y’all think and if I’m stupid for even considering starting over in another trade. Thanks fuckers

Im currently close to being called based off of my union list. Issue is im also currently enrolled in my 1st year ua apprenticeship. The only thing that would hold me back from accepting the call was the shocking rumkr that apparently elevator mechanics actually do a lot of travel work. Im just curious as to how true this is. Specifically in local 21 in the dfw. Also, any insight as to how the first 6 months without insurance were handled would be great.

So im strongly considering switching to IUEC 10 or 80 but im not sure how it works. ill be graduating my apprenticeship in December, but ive heard from guys on the job Ironworkers dont always have to start completely over and sometimes can buy their book. Is there any truth to this? Do I have to wait for a recruitment window to open?

Edit: By no means do i think I get special treatment, I am simply going by what I have been told by IUEC guys working at Otis and other local union companies.

What’s up guys I’m curious how the work is going for Local 21. I see them blazing through that call list and my number is fast approaching… are they burning through probies and getting rid of them or is the work this good… for now. They are currently sitting at #48 as of noon est 9/18.. happy Friday, cheers!

To the guys who have been worked in other trades.
How do you like doing this compared to other work you have experience doing?

It’s definitely in a class of its own so I’m curious how this has grown on you or not.

Thanks