Tech Talk

[MS3_KIDD]

So how many techs are on here?

Ill be finishing my Auto Tech program in November and was wondering how many working techs were on here, how long you have been industry and if you worked at a dealer/independant etc, what certs you have (besides inspection/emissions) and your thoughts on the current state of the industry

lets hear it guys

 

[88323GT]

Im sure theres a few of us. Im currently no longer employeed as a tech since my previous position felt it was ok to pay me less then what I was clocking. Im a level one Chrysler Technician. Worked at Dick Hannah chrysler Jeep. Glad i got out though, since the economy took a dump. Hope you have a better hold in the industry then I do. Was in it for about a year. One thing you will learn is you can never have enough tools.

 

[SIBalla23]

I'm currently a C-Tech at Avis rent-a-car. I currently have 4 ase's; brakes,suspension,a/c and heat, and electrical. I am currently waiting to get a promotion to a B-tech very soon. I have been working there for a little over 3yrs. I graduated from a good automotive school. Overall I am very happy with the business, the pay and benefits are good and I love the line of work.

 

[SIBalla23]

Right now you should try getting a job at a fleet/rental company since there is always work. It pays by the hour so its good for a person right out of school to get into the trade and take your time to grow as a tech. Dealerships are more fast paced and is not really stable with all the dealers closing shop. Another easy place to get into is like an autozone or pepboys.

 

[MS3_KIDD]

ii was lucky to have found a job working part time afternoons at a small independant shop close to school almost a year ago and plan on sticking around untill i finish my training and can go fulltime

 

[kwright997]

I went to Universal Technicial Institute about a month after graduateing high school. While there i got into The Ptap program (porsche training). Sent 6 months down in georgia, then i moved back to my home town. Im currently a regestered porsche tech, got all my ASE's and i've been here about a year. In the automotive field, i've been working about 5 years. Im currently 21 now.

I've got barely enough work to keep me busy. This ecomony sucks!!

 

[MS3_KIDD]

just got my results back from my emmissions course and i was the only one to ace the written part and online test

emmissions licence should be in the mail in two weeks =]

 

[88323GT]

Good job! Funny story, I went to the local Mazda dealership yesterday and overheard the Service manager talking about needing more help, so I stepped up and asked in about it. Just gave him my Application today, I may be back in the field.

 

[MS3_KIDD]

(yippy) exactly 97 class days untill i finish my training

i only have 3more classes left (auto trans 2 months, steering&suspension 2 months and brakes 1 month)

 

[MS3_KIDD]

got my emmisions inspection licence in the mail 2day

 

[kudakev615]

well ive been in the field for about 5 years. i went to a tech school for a year and have been working ever since. no dealerships for me, i work at an independant shop. i like the challenge of working on all makes/models. in my 5 years, ive tried to get the most ase's as possible. working in the indy field, its very important to have ase's. so at age of 26 i am an ase certified master tech and lead tech of my shop. the automotive field has been good to me

 

[MS3_KIDD]

well ive been in the field for about 5 years. i went to a tech school for a year and have been working ever since. no dealerships for me, i work at an independant shop. i like the challenge of working on all makes/models. in my 5 years, ive tried to get the most ase's as possible. working in the indy field, its very important to have ase's. so at age of 26 i am an ase certified master tech and lead tech of my shop. the automotive field has been good to me

(thumb)
nicee!! thats what i like to hear

i have exactly 78 more days of class left then ill be moving back home and gettting a full time job and established but havent decided if id rather give a dealer a shot or stick to independant like i have the last year

im waiting for the ase books to come in at school to register for the fall and knock some out of the way

do you have your L-1 ase?

 

[Dpwhitehead1]

i've been a tech for about 8 years.. i've been unemployed for 7 months.. i do work on the side.. never went to school for it.. learned everything i know by doing it all on my protege!! lol.

then i started working on my buddies cars.. then i got a job doing work at sears.. then became a technician at Merchants..i was the only one who would take on major repairs.. no come backs.. still got let go cuz they tried to blame some SERIOUS bulls*** on me.

note to everyone.. become w/e shops kiss ass to the highest up..

 

[kudakev615]

well ive got lots of friends at dealerships and its a just a different world there. its best to get in at dealerships at the start of your career. they will train you from the ground up on thier info and technology. so you will know thier info like the back of your hand and you will work your way up much faster. the only down side to dealerships is that there alot of techs on staff. so work gets pretty thin. but at my shop, we have a total of 6 full time techs. so its alot less mouths to feed and everybody makes money. but it all boils down to you, wether you like the offerings of the dealership life or the world of independant shops. but honestly, even tho i b**** about work and the hours i LOVE my job. i couldnt see myself doing anything else(hi)

edit: have ase's in brakes, streering/suspension, a/c and cooling, engine per, engine repair, electrical and the L1. the best thing is my shop paid for all my test, i got bonuses AND raises for passing each test

 

[MS3_KIDD]

might be taking a break from turning wrenches early in my career
im trying to get in on a entry level service writer/advisor position =]

 

[ghettoracingkid]

Good job! Funny story, I went to the local Mazda dealership yesterday and overheard the Service manager talking about needing more help, so I stepped up and asked in about it. Just gave him my Application today, I may be back in the field.

anything come of this? hope it all worked out

I was going to go into the feild. I ended up working in the part department of a mazda dealer. Started out delievering. Talked to all the mechanics and what not. Alot of them go into it becuase they loved cars.

alot of them were sick of it. maybe it jsut wasnt for them. 1 guy actually brought his car to a mechanic becuase he didnt want to deal with it.

kinda discouraged me a bit and then i fell into my IT job. Hate it. Miss working on cars but still want to keep it as a hobby.