Out of Aviation, on to Auto

[Painkiller]

Wal Mart eh? Well...at least you'll definitely have more job security than the lousy airline industry!!!!

For what it's worth, there was a guy that dumped the lavs for AirServ; a contract company, out here at the airport.

He did about 1 month at Wal Mart, got fired, and ended up back here at the airport.

Putting 2 and 2 together, apparently Mal Mart has higher hiring standards than the airport!

 

[Barnie]

why auto

I've read all of the replies here and now here is one from someone that has been in the auto repair world for a loooonnnnnggggggg time. It's just like wanting to get into aviation (becoming a flight engineer for me), if you don't have it in your heart to do it, then you might be wasting your time.

Getting a line mech slot in a dealership os o.k. but don't expect big bucks to start with. You WILL need your own tools, both hand and power, some ASE certifications, and some specialized equipment. For example:
-A diagnostic scanner for the on-board computer. Must be able to go both ways, domestic and foreign.
-Fuel injection tester.
-Vacuum guage.
And so on. I'm sure you get the picture. A good place to scan for tools is in a catalog from either Snap-on or Mac. You can go on-line to see them. If you end up in a dealership, they will probably have some of the bigger stuff but plan on forking out some bucks to update your toolbox.
The tools trucks from the above brands usually come by the shop once a week to warranty broken tools and try and sell you some more.
The pay will vary some but is around 18-20/hr. Depending on your locale.
Going to an independant shop will probably get you a little more dollars/hr but count on them not having some of the bigger and more expensive equipment.
Anyway, I do hope it works out for you. I'm on the other side, trying to get OUT on automotive and back into aviation. Barnie

 

[FreightDogs]

LOL!

Hey man, you definitely wouldn't get the walmart gig! You're overqualified!

 

[FreightDogs]

Tanks

Thanks for all the advice, Its good to hear from some folks with auto experience. I will definitely upgrade my tools, although with two toddlers it will be from sears in lue of snap-on. As for interviews , I took your advice and kept my job experience simple and to the point. struts, engines, gearboxes blah blah blah....My first interview over the phone was an education for sure.

I actually interviewed at an FBO/ freight expiditer (sp?) and found myself laughing out loud. The business manager and the VP gave the interview and I never got the chance to talk with any of the guys on the floor or the DOM. The man must have had a bird on his shoulder cause I kept hearing "cheap, cheap cheap". They wouldn't pay and they were looking for desperate people or new people that would work nights weekends, on call and OT for no money! Does any of this sound familiar? And when I asked about vendor schools I got a dumb look of surpprise.
Anybody still got that Garrett tpe331 book with the cartoon on the back cover with the caption -
"Think training is expensive?....Try IGNORANCE"

I gotta find that.
Thanks to all

 

[Barnie]

tell me it isn't so....

I saw the line about using Sears tools and now I have to put this in, Craftsman tools are o.k. for the 'at-home' mech puttering around on the weekends but please consider using GOOD quality tools. Go to a service center or dealership and peruse their mech's boxes, you won't see too many Sears tools. Reason being, they cannot stand up to daily usage. All tools break but the bigger names don't break as often. Alot of the drivers (Snap-On, Mac and so on) have cell phones with them and if you run into an emergency they usually will make the extra trip and bring you a replacement. It boils down to convience. I don't aim to badmouth Sears and by reading what I just wrote, it would seem I have stock in the other companies (I don't). Sears makes a good tool so if you need to use them for now, go ahead. Hope it all works for you. Barnie

 

[P3 Tweek]

AAMCO > FAA

A very close friend of mine went from AAMCO Transmissions to A&P wrenching for AmeriFlight and then (dare I say) the FAA as a maintenance inspector. I think his wages were good with AAMCO then went down when he went to AmeriFlight then back up with the Feds.

Tweek

PS. `How to make a small fortune in aviation'...`start with a large fortune'

 

[qmaster3]

Tweek,

Uncle Sam’s a great employer

Barnie,

Try telling avbug and trafficinsight that!!

Freightdogs,

Glad to hear it's working out for you. As for sears. My old man does alright with his craftsman tools. If that's what you can afford (like me) then go for it. Keep ebay, and the local classifieds in mind. I've posted this group a few times on here, but want to make sure you get it. These guys are a great help. No flame wars either.
http://groups.msn.com/AutoTechsOnline

 

[CHQ Mx]

It is so

Been doing this for a few years now and my Craftsman hold up just fine. If I do break something, Sears is usually just down the street. I don't have to go chasing after anybody. There are a few items that only Snapon will have, but in my opinion (which is what it comes down to) there is nothing wrong with filling your box with Craftsman.

 

[Barnie]

still doesn't make it so

Like I said, it is the convience. You say Sears is usually down the road????? Never heard of a mobile Sears (just kidding) My first set of tools was a gift from my dad. They were Craftsman and worked very well My friend got his first set from Penneys. Then were Penncraft. Think the spelling is right.
Both worked good. When it comes to hard, everyday usage, stick with the pro, Snap-on and the like. Look in the boxes of the line mechs. Barnie

 

[sbn340mech]

My toolbox is filled with a varity of tools. Snap-on, Matco, but mostly Craftsman. I think they are all good tools, but Snap-on and Matco definatly are higher quality.

I never bought much from the Snap-on guy since he was a major prick and horrible salesman. He always gave us a hard time over tool warrenties, and was hard to get a hold of. Unless you owed him money. then he always seemed to find you!! I bought most of my Snap-on tools off of Ebay. Got a 1/2" dr 24" breaker bar(like new) for $32. Snap-on price...$85

It was much easier for me to go to Sears, and they take back broken tools no questions asked. Also I'd say about 95% of the toolboxes in the hangar were craftsman. Mines a Husky and I like it very much. No need to pay $6,000 for a toolbox, especially on what we were getting paid

 

[Barnie]

roger that

I can agree with you on that. Some tool truck drivers are just out there to get the money. There doesn't seem to be that "servive after the sale" mind set that used to prevail years ago. But, there are the minority. Most of the guys are cool and will go the extra for you. Those are the ones that used to be the mechs in the shops and know how it is on the other side of the fence.
The last squadron I was in was in New Orleans and we shared a hanger with Raytheon. They did the contract work on the C-12's. Their boxes were the Craftsmen, Huskies and so on. There was only a small amount of tools in them and the tool room had the big stuff.
In a dealership, the mech keeps all of his stuff with him so his box has to be big.
Speaking of work, time for me to get ready. Have a good one, Barnie

 

[avbug]

I have to resist laughing hysterically when I hear people whining about craftsman tools. I have eleven boxes of tools set up in five rollaways and side cases, and more of them are craftsman than not. I don't think in twenty years I've ever managed to break a craftsman tool. It's certainly possible, but I've never done it. Then again, I don't abuse them, either. I've heated them, welded them modified them, etc...just like we all do to make our speciality tools for various specific applications...no problem at all.

I have my MAC tools, I have my Snap-On tools, and they're good tools for the most part. But there is absolutely nothing wrong with Craftsman tools at all. I'd recommend any mechanic starting out go with craftsman over the pretty-boy names, just because a new mechanic shouldn't be putting his or her life in hoc over a bag of tools.

Same for roll-aways. Craftsman makes some fine rollaways; they do every bit the job that a MAC or Snap-on box will do, but for a lot less money.

Go into any major shop or hangar, and you'll find a whole lot more craftsman boxes than other names. I've known a few wrenches that spent twenty five grand on their box, complete with electronic remote lock, custom covers and colors, and the works, and for what??

I've found a few cases where only a snap-on socket would do because the wall was thinner and would just barely fit into a tight space...but even that isn't often. I've bought MAC or Snap-On where I couldn't get that particular tool from Sears, and I've always made a practice of buying one tool each time the MAC or Snap-On trucks come around...buy one tool and pay it off, buy another, pay it off...there's no question that the trucks are like a candy store, and the tools are a good investment. But nobody on God's green earth will ever convince me there's anything wrong with Craftsman tools.

I've got too many of them, and have used them too much to be convinced by all the rhetoric to the contrary.

You go buy your craftsman tools and use them all you like. They'll serve you well, and don't let anybody tell you differently. See for yourself.