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I tried to buddy up with a master tech. My service manager won’t let me.
There’s a guy in my shop — Eddy. He’s my hero.
He’s the top dog of the shop, and he went through the same exact college program as me.
He’s been through the same BS as me and such, so he knows how it is. Every time I ask for help, he’ll always stop what he’s doing to come help.
Like I said…I wish I could do the work he doesn’t want to do so I can at least learn something, and have him get paid for it so he doesn’t lose money. But, I’m not allowed.
So dumb.Well…not two tires and two bad tires…
I’m saying if the two front tires are 12/32, and the rears are 10/32. I’d rotate them and put the better tires in the rear.Well…not two tires and two bad tires…
I’m saying if the two front tires are 12/32, and the rears are 10/32. I’d rotate them and put the better tires in the rear.[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=57283]A lot of good points have been brought up here and to be honest I’ve felt burned out myself from time to time. I see that a lot of the problems with the automotive industry have been pointed out in this thread but how about some possible solutions. What can WE do to help change the industry so that we get the respect and pay we deserve. One part of what I set out to do when I started ETCG was to help people with their auto repairs. Another part was to help raise awareness of what it is to live and work as a technician in todays market. I’m not joking when I say I’ve felt the way you’ve felt. Now that ETCG has some popularity I’m hoping to bring attention to these very issues. I’m not saying I’m going to change the industry overnight but I’d like to be a mouthpiece for those of you that are struggling in the field right now. So I pose the question to the group. What do you think we could do to help change the industry for the better? What do you think ETCG can do to help toward that end?[/quote]
I think the warranty pay needs changed, ultimately.
I feel like the only way that’ll happen is if manufacturers start losing a lot of techs…and I doubt that will happen.Like I said…I enjoy working on cars.
However, I don’t enjoy the part where it’s…
Car comes into the shop…
Go on the internet and see if someone else has had the same problem.
Print out the directions and follow them so you can fix it.
I feel like anybody can do that and that it takes no brain work (however, not EVERY car follows this pattern, of course).I’d rather be the guy that solves the very complicated, unique problems, and posts about them.
I want to be the one that is paid to sit there and trace a wire…rip apart a transmission and look up why it failed…etc.
Being flat-rate, you don’t want to spend all day looking for a problem. You’d rather go look up what’s wrong so you can fix it and get paid. Not my cup of tea.[quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=57283]A lot of good points have been brought up here and to be honest I’ve felt burned out myself from time to time. I see that a lot of the problems with the automotive industry have been pointed out in this thread but how about some possible solutions. What can WE do to help change the industry so that we get the respect and pay we deserve. One part of what I set out to do when I started ETCG was to help people with their auto repairs. Another part was to help raise awareness of what it is to live and work as a technician in todays market. I’m not joking when I say I’ve felt the way you’ve felt. Now that ETCG has some popularity I’m hoping to bring attention to these very issues. I’m not saying I’m going to change the industry overnight but I’d like to be a mouthpiece for those of you that are struggling in the field right now. So I pose the question to the group. What do you think we could do to help change the industry for the better? What do you think ETCG can do to help toward that end?[/quote]
I think the warranty pay needs changed, ultimately.
I feel like the only way that’ll happen is if manufacturers start losing a lot of techs…and I doubt that will happen.Like I said…I enjoy working on cars.
However, I don’t enjoy the part where it’s…
Car comes into the shop…
Go on the internet and see if someone else has had the same problem.
Print out the directions and follow them so you can fix it.
I feel like anybody can do that and that it takes no brain work (however, not EVERY car follows this pattern, of course).I’d rather be the guy that solves the very complicated, unique problems, and posts about them.
I want to be the one that is paid to sit there and trace a wire…rip apart a transmission and look up why it failed…etc.
Being flat-rate, you don’t want to spend all day looking for a problem. You’d rather go look up what’s wrong so you can fix it and get paid. Not my cup of tea.Don’t get me wrong…I love what I do, to an extent.
I mean…I don’t wake up every morning and go, “YAY! I GET TO GO TO WORK!”
But, when I’m there, I’m not 100% miserable.I love the engine work. I love it a lot.
Tranmissions…I’m still working on getting better at.
It’s cool to see how far I’ve come…because I can fix my own car (usually), and modify my own car. I think it’s more respectable than driving a 1200hp Porsche and saying, “Yeah…I just wrote this shop a blank check and they built it for me.”However, I still just feel technicians are just pawns of the engineers. I feel like we aren’t doing as hard of work as they are, I guess…
All we do is fix what they designed.I don’t know. If the career weren’t based on flat-rate, I’d be fine (to an extent).
I’m determined to find happiness in this career one way or another…
My career WILL involve cars. Will I be a tech in the very end?
Who knows…
But, it will involve cars…and I can use the skills I’ve gained and the tools I’ve bought to help me save money in the future.Oh…the other thing I don’t like about this career…
What does a great tech make? Maybe $80k tops? And the salary only goes down from there.
I expect to be topping out at maybe $60k…
Now, I don’t think that’s a lot for how difficult this profession is.So, I will be (maybe) topping out at $60k. That’s before taxes.
Now…think of everything that can go wrong in this business.
You can break stuff…damage stuff…etc., and that all comes out of your paycheck.My one instructor’s son is 21-years-old making $80k a year right now as a worker in the computer science field.
That’s ridiculous. No, I don’t claim that profession to be easier…but I think techs should be making that without having to work as hard as most techs do (14 hours a day in the shop, working in the heat, etc.).
Not only that…he doesn’t really have to worry about breaking stuff and having it come out of his pay. He doesn’t have to worry about the day being slow and him not turning in any hours.
I just feel like I made a bad career choice.Don’t get me wrong…I love what I do, to an extent.
I mean…I don’t wake up every morning and go, “YAY! I GET TO GO TO WORK!”
But, when I’m there, I’m not 100% miserable.I love the engine work. I love it a lot.
Tranmissions…I’m still working on getting better at.
It’s cool to see how far I’ve come…because I can fix my own car (usually), and modify my own car. I think it’s more respectable than driving a 1200hp Porsche and saying, “Yeah…I just wrote this shop a blank check and they built it for me.”However, I still just feel technicians are just pawns of the engineers. I feel like we aren’t doing as hard of work as they are, I guess…
All we do is fix what they designed.I don’t know. If the career weren’t based on flat-rate, I’d be fine (to an extent).
I’m determined to find happiness in this career one way or another…
My career WILL involve cars. Will I be a tech in the very end?
Who knows…
But, it will involve cars…and I can use the skills I’ve gained and the tools I’ve bought to help me save money in the future.Oh…the other thing I don’t like about this career…
What does a great tech make? Maybe $80k tops? And the salary only goes down from there.
I expect to be topping out at maybe $60k…
Now, I don’t think that’s a lot for how difficult this profession is.So, I will be (maybe) topping out at $60k. That’s before taxes.
Now…think of everything that can go wrong in this business.
You can break stuff…damage stuff…etc., and that all comes out of your paycheck.My one instructor’s son is 21-years-old making $80k a year right now as a worker in the computer science field.
That’s ridiculous. No, I don’t claim that profession to be easier…but I think techs should be making that without having to work as hard as most techs do (14 hours a day in the shop, working in the heat, etc.).
Not only that…he doesn’t really have to worry about breaking stuff and having it come out of his pay. He doesn’t have to worry about the day being slow and him not turning in any hours.
I just feel like I made a bad career choice.Another thing I’ve thought about…
I feel like my honesty is killing me as opposed to other mechanics.For example…
When I do an oil change, I check over the vehicle for things that may be in need of repair. I check the balljoints, brakes, bushings, etc.
Now, if I find a tie rod end has VERY MINOR PLAY, I won’t even mention it.
If it has a good bit of play, but isn’t bad enough to fail an inspection, I would RECCOMMEND it and make the customer aware of it.
And it just goes from there.A lot of techs I see…if there is the SLIGHTEST bit of movement in anything, they’ll reccommend it. Now, different parts/brands have different measurements in terms of how much play is allowed. Nobody ever goes and looks up the measurements. So, that play that they’re feeling COULD be normal.
Now, think of it from the customer’s standpoint. They, more than likely, know nothing about cars. So, if you tell them their tie rod end “has movement,” even if it’s probably within spec, they’re going to think, “Well…I should probably get that replaced.”
So, the tech gets the job and makes money.
I don’t do that. So, I’m obviously just going to fall behind.
Another thing I’ve thought about…
I feel like my honesty is killing me as opposed to other mechanics.For example…
When I do an oil change, I check over the vehicle for things that may be in need of repair. I check the balljoints, brakes, bushings, etc.
Now, if I find a tie rod end has VERY MINOR PLAY, I won’t even mention it.
If it has a good bit of play, but isn’t bad enough to fail an inspection, I would RECCOMMEND it and make the customer aware of it.
And it just goes from there.A lot of techs I see…if there is the SLIGHTEST bit of movement in anything, they’ll reccommend it. Now, different parts/brands have different measurements in terms of how much play is allowed. Nobody ever goes and looks up the measurements. So, that play that they’re feeling COULD be normal.
Now, think of it from the customer’s standpoint. They, more than likely, know nothing about cars. So, if you tell them their tie rod end “has movement,” even if it’s probably within spec, they’re going to think, “Well…I should probably get that replaced.”
So, the tech gets the job and makes money.
I don’t do that. So, I’m obviously just going to fall behind.
[quote=”nwtech” post=56062]Being burned out is how i feel, I go to work to a full time and a part time job and do the big jobs engines replacements, trannys, electrical, engine tear down and assembly, have a raging tyrant owner chewing everyone’s ass, company wont purchase necessary shop equipment when i come to them with $20,000 in my own tools and box, tell me how thats fair? Its too late to change careers for me after 6 years of doing it professionally I need to use my tools everyday and get dirty its just a way of life, my advice, get outta the dealership and branch out into something that pays like heavy equipment/diesel, marine, aviation, still the same kinda job, Ive worked on cars, heavy trucks, and boats professionally and i prefer the work as well as the environment, keep learning, collecting tools, and gaining experience, it is still possible to make a decent living and love your job[/quote]
I think working on jet engines would be interesting.
I’ve also considered working on diesels.However…from what I’ve seen with the diesel side of things is…the mentality of the customers seems to be “I don’t care how much it costs. Just fix it.”
With that kind of attitude, aren’t you expected to pull long days?
Like I said…I don’t want to work my life away. I’d rather do my 8 hours and pick up on something the next day if I don’t finish it.
I also kind of feel like I’ll never be successful because I don’t want to pull 8-14-hour days like most techs do…[quote=”nwtech” post=56062]Being burned out is how i feel, I go to work to a full time and a part time job and do the big jobs engines replacements, trannys, electrical, engine tear down and assembly, have a raging tyrant owner chewing everyone’s ass, company wont purchase necessary shop equipment when i come to them with $20,000 in my own tools and box, tell me how thats fair? Its too late to change careers for me after 6 years of doing it professionally I need to use my tools everyday and get dirty its just a way of life, my advice, get outta the dealership and branch out into something that pays like heavy equipment/diesel, marine, aviation, still the same kinda job, Ive worked on cars, heavy trucks, and boats professionally and i prefer the work as well as the environment, keep learning, collecting tools, and gaining experience, it is still possible to make a decent living and love your job[/quote]
I think working on jet engines would be interesting.
I’ve also considered working on diesels.However…from what I’ve seen with the diesel side of things is…the mentality of the customers seems to be “I don’t care how much it costs. Just fix it.”
With that kind of attitude, aren’t you expected to pull long days?
Like I said…I don’t want to work my life away. I’d rather do my 8 hours and pick up on something the next day if I don’t finish it.
I also kind of feel like I’ll never be successful because I don’t want to pull 8-14-hour days like most techs do…A “power balance” test?
Also…I guess me putting plugs in it doesn’t do much good if they’re the wrong ones.
But would they make THAT big of a difference?
Also, if they are the wrong plugs…wouldn’t the problem be static? It’s getting worse and worse as we speak. I can hardly press the throttle down when it’s at operating temp or it’ll miss. It’s starting to do it even after 3min of driving the car from a cold start.
So, I don’t know.The problem was also occurring when I had the other plugs in (hence why I changed them).
However…those plugs were the OEM plugs and had 70k miles on them…A “power balance” test?
Also…I guess me putting plugs in it doesn’t do much good if they’re the wrong ones.
But would they make THAT big of a difference?
Also, if they are the wrong plugs…wouldn’t the problem be static? It’s getting worse and worse as we speak. I can hardly press the throttle down when it’s at operating temp or it’ll miss. It’s starting to do it even after 3min of driving the car from a cold start.
So, I don’t know.The problem was also occurring when I had the other plugs in (hence why I changed them).
However…those plugs were the OEM plugs and had 70k miles on them…