Re: Job Hunt Frustration

Posted by Porter on August 06, 2005 at 21:35:21 from (209.214.174.133):

In Reply to: Re: Job Hunt Frustration posted by Dixieland on August 06, 2005 at 13:37:55:

I have been a farm mechanic for 30 years. I have had my own shop the last 14 years. Yes, help is almost impossible to find here as well. But I can"t say as I blame the younger folks for finding an different trade. There are easier ways to make a living. The shops where I worked always treated me well but, I noticed a few things that made me think. First the pay scale was always close. A new guy was often brought in, and paid what a experienced man made. Second, a good parts man made the same money, and a salesman made even more. I am not knocking parts, or sales, they have families to support too, but the mechanic has to be equally capable as they are plus have a small fortune in tools, and adding/replacing them all the while. I also noticed that if you are a good mechanic there is usually no chance for promotion. The pad answer always was "We need you in the shop." Then they would bring in a shop foreman or whatever that didn"t know a hitch pin from an injector pump and many good men stayed the course, or moved on. Also $15.00 x 40hrs x 52 = 31,200 in cash before taxes. Two things here, most factories pay that here to start. Coal mines, and big factories will beat 20.00 + benefits. The only tool you need is a lunch bucket. Second 31,200 sounds like a lot of money. It wont go too far, and if your a single parent it goes even less. I loved this trade when I was younger, I would rush like a race horse, pull heads etc, without help or a lift. The older farmers were different as well. They were smaller operators, kept machinery longer, and seemed to appreciate and be more loyal. I still have fun, cancer and health problems have made it a little rocky. Insurance is nice, but other occupations have insurance/retirement too.

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