It died in the 80dys in 1980 I made 23.11 an hour at that time that was a good wage. the wage has been stuck for way to long. look at the price of cars how they have gone up in price. the cars back then were easy to work on and now they are hard to work on. So it's not worth it.
This isn’t just a problem with mechanics it’s a problem with every profession. The cost of living is too high and the pay most companies wanna give you isn’t enough to live a comfortable decent life especially as a single guy.
Yeah. There's NO WAY I'd be able to even be financially attractive to western women, let alone be able to support a family on the shit they were paying.
seriously, i thought i was watching a video about carpentry until i read the title again, i was working union and non-union, and side jobs for 7 years and it seems no matter what ends are always hard to meet. I worked as a carpenter from high school, 2016-2022
Working as an auto tech, I will agree with you. At 62 I got laid off for no apparent reason, so I retired. They don't want to pay senior techs...too bad their loss.
Theres only so many ways to remove bolts man. The new shit is much harder... Can network diag and oscilloscope work, electrical and emissions etc. Anyone can turn bolts knowning how mordern systems work and how to diagnose them is more important.
But I was in high school 42 years ago, a lot of my parents friends who are in their early fifties got laid off from their white collar jobs from places like standard oil when America was getting rid of middle management positions.
I started my own repair business with me being the only employee after 22 years of dedicating my life to someone else's promises. One day I came to the realization that my tools cost me roughly threes years of pay. The drivers and salesmen made 5 times what I was making and they weren't required to have 220k worth of tools to get paid that.
I agree 100% with all this. I worked at an international brand truck dealership for 10 years, just got out about 6 months ago. I thought when I was young it would be cool to work on big trucks and big diesels, which it was, but the way the dealerships operate and the way technicians are treated, took the fun right out of it. The higher ups were so corrupt, could not even say Merry Christmas or show any employee appreciation. No tool allowance, no work boot allowance, tell you that you have "x" amount of hours to do this job because that's all they are billing, bitch and complain when you spend 15 minutes on the tool truck, etc. Best thing I did was get out of the truck dealership world as your "conventional" mechanic. I work now on generators, with my own service truck, work by myself, very enjoyable and relaxed work environment and I don't have to listen to know-it-all brown nosers all day long and managers, and the pay is so much better.
As a heavy diesel mechanic almost 19 years into now, you nailed it on the head. I work at the dealership here in New Zealand. it's exactly the same. They can't get any mechanics because of exactly what you are talking about. Young lads have realized it's not worth it.
Yeah went to trade school went to a dealer quickly moved off lube work and started doing all recalls and warranty work started to get electrical diag putting out 7-12 hours a day labor time making 18$ was doing that off warranty work left joined the railroad
I’ve seen 2 master techs at Toyota quit to drive amazon trucks. It’s scary how low the wages are at the dealership here. One sales guy made $400,000 last year. Have to be smart. One master tech retired in his mid 40s. He has been the guy that did all the scrap metal on days off, did side work at home, flipped cars, etc. well he saved and bought rental properties and quit wrenching when his passive income from rentals got to be enough to live off.
I'm hearing these same stories over and over again, mechanic's being used and abused, I was for years, then I got divorced and starting looking at money differently and now I have stocks, and rental properties, us mechanic's need to start thinking outside the box
@@danhewitt5109 The thing to keep in mind, you can fix anything. My buddy Josh has become an expert on electrical, plumbing, hvac, kitchen carpentry, paint, etc And he’s got his son starting off in the contraction trades to keep building the empire Smart
Good senior techs need to start their own shops and do a rate split 50/50 with the senior techs they hire. Corporate shops want all the $ for themselves.
That maybe something worth looking into, I do agree with the second point, I worked at a dealership, and I had my customers buying reman engine from the dealership and I was installing them, the company confronted me, and I said what's the problem you're get your piece of the pie, they said we want the whole pie. The funny thing was I sold more engines then the salesmen
So....I risk the startup capital to do the business and make the tech a partner with no risk? I want to be clear on what you are saying? Cause if thats the case....hire me..... I will be your 50/50 partner with ZERO risk.
I'm sure how that works, I had a sub comment that, I'm sure there is more to it. I tried to have co-workers help me on side jobs, but they all want $100 an hour and only want to do certain things, so I stopped doing that unless I was installing an engine and needed a second hand, but I just paid a flat fee to them. I had a owner tried to get me to rent his garage and pay him 10% of each job, he said I could make a ton of money. I said no I would be working 24-7 just to pay him, everyone seems to want to scam the mechanic's@@iamtheoffenderofall
The tech is not a partner. You get 50% of his bill rate and 50% of the bill rate of all the other senior techs you hire. Maybe you pay B mechanics 30% of the bill rate and C mechanics 20%. You also make money on the parts. Plus, you pay $0 for unproductive hours but have to pay at least minimum wage on average. @@iamtheoffenderofall
The taxes make it not worth it. Paying $3-4k quarterly. Quite when I realized that I was needing to make $25/hr 24/7 in order to just pay taxes. When if you slow down you know it’s just adding up. And when you own it you’re workin A LOT Be ready to do all the labor of service writers and phone time. And working at independent shop you can make as much easily. And work 8hr or less a day. No phone calls. No sleepless nights. I’ll never officially start a shop again. Stay small.
A long time ago I tried to talk my brother into the work I do because it paid really well. I ran heavy equipment building bridges and worked in a shop repairing equipment in the winter. We had 2 tractors, 5 or six flatbeds and 2 lowboys. We had 5 cranes and 2 excavators too so a pretty small company. His main reason for not wanting to do that kind of work was that he didn't want to get dirty. This was in 1997. The schools told him he could make 6 figures programing computers. I haven't talked to him in yrs but I'm sure he hasn't hit that mark to this day. I can't say for sure but he drives old Saturn's. The point is there's a whole generation that was taught if you get dirty at work you are a loser.
I totally agree with you, I've seen the same thing with guys I went to HS with. I mean don't get me wrong I always had my bill paid and was never homeless, but your not going to be able to invest in anything big working 9 to 5 most guys will need to work a ton of overtime or side work, that's what I did after my divorce and I'm sitting pretty good now.
People don't have the skills today we did 30-40 years ago. I'm a retired Mech haevy duty diesel, Hyd, Numatic, electric over hydraulic Power shifts, A.C. Hydro static, open center, closed center, electric steering, we had to know a lot back over the years. There is a ton of information being lost from older mech going the way side.
I'll never undertand young techs who won't listen to old timers of the industry 🤷♂️ Im 38, and i learnt early on that if you find an older mechanic who happily rambles on for hours about what he knows/experience then you stick to him like a barnacle and soak him up like a fucking sponge until the well runs dry. And in my experience, 90% of the 'old timers' ive met in my 20 year career have been more than happy to share everything they know with an enthusiastic young mind.
I was a diesel mechanic for Freightliner for 22 years. I put as much as I possibly could into a 401k and then I retired @52. I hated almost every single day. Especially when it was over 110 degrees,working on a truck that was over 220 degrees. So glad I’m out.😊😊
It's not a mechanic shortage, it's an over abundance of crap shops. Shops will be forced to pay what's left of the survivors. The other problem is kids nowadays seem to think they can do an oil change a day and make 100K a year.
I work in Canada. the union shops usually offer the highest pay (some pushing $55 CAD/hr), but i totally agree with you about the union saving useless people, and them cutting deals with management. There is no doubt about that. Management is the biggest issue, whatever you mentioned in that video is spot on. The "gap" you mention is also spot on. I have been doing this for about 5 years, started at 22. All the senior guys I worked with are slowly retiring, and they'll be taking the wealth of knowledge with them. I was fortunate enough to learn lots, but it seems a lot of the newer hires we have don't care to take it in. I was talking to a Heavy Duty instructor at the local institute and he said they pumped out so many "covid mechanics." Kids who learned about engines, HP fuel systems etc through online classes during the lockdown. When they came back to class for the next level he said none of them knew anything about anything.. pretty scary.
Worked as a aircraft technician for 37 years at a major US airlines, Same here Management sees mechanics as a financial liability and strip mechanics of their pay and retirement,Mechanics have no respect and treated very poorly , Looking forward to retirement very soon and now they are faced with a shortage with the next generation of lazy no productivity type of workers due to low pay and benefits, I will not teach any new mechanics and let this crummy airline literally crash and burn
Its pretty simply to be honest. Pay the people right. Give them real benifits. Make it a livable job. Working on sucks. People beat the piss out their equipment and we gotta deal with it. Then management says it takes this long to do warranty work when it takes double or triple the time.
That's all we are asking for, like I said in one of my videos I not asking for $25 more an hour, but $4/$5 an hour would be nice , and $4/$5 every year or so would be reasonable, we have a lot of time and tools invested into the job
Your toolbox has wheels. Don't bluff, have another place lined up. I squeezed an extra dollar/hr out of a shop that was a revolving door. That one negotiation made me an extra $3k for the year I worked there.
100% I have been in it for nearly 25 years, too. I make $33/hr, am at the top of my field, have over 30k in tools, and am getting out of it sometime over the next few weeks. When drivers are making 100k+/year to sit and move a steering wheel, and we can barely make 70k with all the certifications, tools, etc, it is time to get out of it. Good luck to you, sir.
Great vid,been pulling wrenches for 40 plus years, for the first 20 I was able to support my family and pay the house off on my earnings, now my kids have moved on and are working but me and the wife just get by now and as a fleet tech I earn close to 6 figures a year, in Canada the amount of taxes and hidden taxes is over 50% of gross income. The automotive tech is one of the lowest and least respected Red seal trades up here.
I retired 2 years ago and was a mechanic 54 years, making a living. I've worked dealerships, garages, big companies. These big companies now all they want to to make money for shareholders, and put us to the bottom. Like you said, they are putting people in management who have never had a wrench in their hands, but got a piece of paper that says they qualify for that job. I had a manager that I had been doing this kind of work than he was in age trying to tell me how to do my job. They would hire new young mechanic and try to show them something to make it easier, was like talking rock wall. I finally tired of the BS, and I had the age I hung it up
I'm at the same spot in my life, I have a few more pieces to put into place and I'm out. I the thing I heard was big companies are hiring women in management BC male customer's are less likely to yell at women, when there's a problem
@@danhewitt5109 I heard that Australia made a law that by 2006 35% of all corporate boards must be made up of women. Doesn't matter that some guy might have Forty-Eight years and with the company, if a woman comes along to fill that quota, she will get the bill.
Tried to retire (40+ years in trade) going back for a minute because of the pay (increasing rapidly) at least in Florida, mechanic ads everywhere, nobody left.
5 years of experience with all the ASE certifications and Tech School for less then 27$ in hour must have own tools. These multi million dollar greedy companies expecting too much, but pay pennies.
It's literally not even about getting it done right at all anymore. These guys are parts cannon on everything. Management only cares about the money not the truth
Yes, I have retired a couple times in the past four years, only to be lured back by promises of better conditions and higher pay. I have been a heavy equipment mechanic since 1987, I’m tired, and I am ready to just work my farm, and let my wheels rust on my tool box’s. These days, I work for a week, then I take a week to work my farm. It’s a decent compromise between heavy wrench turning and working on my farm like I want
I've been in your shoes. I was a mechanic and later on, a service manager. Fortunately, I'm a Marine Corps veteran and I had the old GI Bill. This allowed me to go back to school back in the late 70's and I earned my engineering degree (marine engineering and naval architecture). Never looked back. Hang in there, brother. Keep your eyes open and take advantage of any opportunities that come your way. 👍👍👍
Just like the UK with engineers and doctors, it's a manufactured shortage, and we just happen to have boat loads of both crossing the English channel illegally every day.
Upper management has been lying to everyone under them - it’s not just in repair industry. Benefits suck everywhere - no such thing as a pension anymore - best you can hope for is 401k and some small match. It’s sad but the only way you’ll get what you want is running your own operation.
I agree with you 100% I have worked as a mechanic on heavy equipment for over 45 years and many times I have asked myself why , between the shitty weather conditions I have had to work in and trying to talk to upper management about how long it will take to repair certain equipment malfunctions is nothing but a head ache when they have no clue what I’m talking about ,they don’t no a tire from a differential and have no clue what it takes to do certain jobs. I myself would rather just jump into trouble shooting and getting the problem fixed and be done with it then have to waste my time trying to explain the technicalities to someone who has the brains of a rock.
32 years in the business, I just started my own mobile business the best decision I ever made 🖖 I have talk to many of mechanics and they all say the same thing you saying Brother.. the pay is too low and the hours are up and down plus the parts shortage is crazy at the dealerships ..
Bout half a year In as a diesel mechanic and I’ve already started planning my way out by going into Aviation as a AMT (less tools needed and more money than auto and diesel). I really like working on trucks but man like you’ve said the money just isn’t enough considering the investments you make and the wear on your body. For me being 19 what I make is decent but it caps out very quickly. The guys who do make the decent money have $50000+ in tools, CDL (which is another $5000), 15+ years in the trade, and ASE certifications (yet another investment). Mind you all of this is to make maybe 35-45 an hour
I mean cmon man you got these ceos of these truck leasing companies buying million dollar super yachts while the techs who literally keep the business running are making 20-27 an hour like cmon it just doesn’t add up
my wife as a Radiology Tech of 10yrs makes $40hr for $85k last year....Ive been a Ford Tech for 27yrs at same dealer.I made $20k less than her last year..she doesnt work that hard either.this is FACT and is where im at.Not impressed to say the least
I got out in 2009. Went thru the GMASEP program and got an associates degree in Automotive Technology. I went to lawn care then local bus garage, moved to helper on aircraft heavy checks and now back into wrenching on diesel. Flat rate will kill a good tech that can troubleshoot well. You'll starve while the other greenhorns get loads of gravy services.
Upper management yeah, it’s all about money in their pocket not yours. But let’s be realistic about this people in upper management weren’t hired for their expertise. They were hired to keep cost down and they work cheaper than somebody with experience. it all goes back to the owner if he wants to shop to have a revolving door of technicians, have it customers see that. When I started out in this industry in the late 60s, I got 50% of the door rate I believe now you’re lucky to get 1/4%. I never worked hourly always flat rate my work was top-notch. I took care of any problems I created don’t pay me once it’s the last time now they’re all hurting for good technicians. I’m on my own and I make pretty good money they get the warranty I get the cash, who is laughing now
I'm from the UK, past 4/5 years over here have seen a lot of diesel tech's (hgv techs we call them) move to other industries where the skillset transfers. I have seen especially over the past year dealerships pushing real hard to make them more attractive places to work. Wages are now mostly very impressive across the board with an actually package of benifits on offer too.
I remember when Mercedes wanted me to do roadside 24 hours a day. they offered $50 per time i went out. Even at 3 am! I said no way. I left the dealership in 08. everything you said i have seen. they treat mechanics like prison labor. thankfully I escaped
The big one is pay, my wages have stayed stagnant while the dealership makes record sales, but when you put your hand out, they are broke. One of my coworkers had given notice cause he got a better offer that they weren’t gonna match, a last minute Hail Mary at the 13th hour kept him there but they almost lost a solid engine tech, over 5 dollars per hour increase. At the end of the day your not gonna keep good techs unless, you pay, and offer some decent benefits, if your not 20 other places will give better offers
Great video. I just started as a Diesel Tech. I work on Semi’s and now trailers too. Ive been at this a year now. I went to school and continue to study on my time off. The truth is, I made more money when working in warehousing driving a forklift and had better benefits. These companies say anything to get you in the door, then when you get there it was either a flat out lie or deceiving. Pay has to come up first, why would people come into this industry like I did if they can make the same or more with half the work load and knowledge? All your points are spot on, obviously because you’ve been there and done that. Thanks.
Hey man, I’m a union carpenter right now but have been thinking about becoming a diesel mechanic because I really enjoy wrenching. I’m looking going into the trade school here in my city but it sounds like it’s not worth it?
@@stevenmartin3178 trade school is what you make it. It can be super helpful and get you ahead of other beginners without it. It’s a slow start, you won’t be making “good money” right out the gate most likely. It’s taxing on your body. So far I still think it’s worth it, but you gotta put in 3-5 years before the money gets decent. I plan to go out on my own as a mobile diesel mechanic as soon as possible so my end goals might be different than yours. Also remember diesel mechanic can be semi trucks, generators, off road heavy equipment, forklifts, marine, etc.
Also remember it’s a vast amount of learning and information and skills you have to know. So at some point, your always being underpaid in my opinion. Going independent means you can name your own price within reason.
I agree with everything that you've said in this video! I am currently working with Honda, on flat rate bi-weekly pay as a PDI/ Express Plus tech. Let me tell ya, it isnt worth doing at all! They want me to move to main shop, but i refuse as I'm already being screwed as it is. I've been in and out of the industry in both diesel & gas since 03. We were saying the same things back then. They're seeing the actions more now though. Im currently in school for cyber security because this field just isnt cutting it. The sweat tax doesn’t match the paycheck.
Bro, if you’re flat rate doing pdis and express stuff and you’re not making money, then you’re in the wrong field or you’re just not trying to learn to get ahead. Plenty of ppl making 140k+ after getting credentials under their belt
@n.e.lnchpn9784 I'm the " aid " to the PDI guy in my dealership. So when he's backed up or out for the day, that's when I get PDI's. So the bulk of my check comes from doing express plus tickets and upsales from express tickets. I'm sure there are peeps making 70,80 or even 90k a year doing this, but trust me, they're few and far in between and they're running like crazy.
@@ItsTheKeji bro… every shop I’ve been in half of the flat rate guys make 60+ hours easy. And if you’re the PDI guys helper, then no disrespect but thats literally bottom of the totem pole service wise so you DEFINITELY shouldn’t be flat rate. I work for a high end German brand wrenching at a dealer my guy trust they set you up to starve if you were flat rate just being a helper, sorry to tell you. You’re PDIs are for passports not high ticket cars no reason you should be flat rate and somebody’s helper, especially if that’s most of what you can do. that makes zero sense, ask around. There’s a kid who got hired on flat rate at my shop who’s 19 and he averages 110% efficiency. Brand matters too, my brand pays good on time but In general no one who’s flat rate is breaking a sweat in my shop, they just know their shit lol. And they definitely aren’t getting many PDI’s IF ANY unless the car has limited allocations…
@@ItsTheKeji and if you think “some” people are making north of 80k as a tech, then you really need to hop on indeed my friend. Not sure where you are, but all across New England flat rate jobs are ranging from 60-140 a year everywhere. And thats for your GM, Mazda, Hyundai type of dealerships, so just imagine the luxury brand payouts for techs 😉
Ive been in your shoes before......I switched to repairing fork lifts / light material handling equipment and its never been better. im telling ya its a really great area of the trade to look into....
I been a mechanic for 42 year's, i been Master certified for 33 year's. I have my ase a1 to a13, b1 to b8, i have my Cummins number, im also certified threw Mack/Volvo. Owner's and management have been destroying the business since the 1980s Today i make48.00 per hour, i also teach for Cummins and Mack I recently got certified in electric International trucks and Mack /Volvo. Pensions were destroyed in the late 80s , thank the unions.
Keep on top of CAN software like Insite, Diamond logic builder, etc... And get your own adapter. Dearborn works best on virtual machines. The problem is that these software packages can run thousands of dollars for the licence. AG is even more expensive. There's ways around to get them cheaper. But once you show that you can use the stuff without having to take costly training. You can write your own checks.
My recent interactions with some franchise shops showed me that the people they are hiring are absolute morons. I've had to go and actually diagnose the issues for family members vehicles. All the other shops cared about was a friggin brake job. I was a mechanic years ago and left for a factory job that paid more, and have since moved on to a public utility. But I have always kept up on modern engine controls and diagnosis along with tools and scan tools. I've been offered jobs at shops, and when I tell them what I make now they are genuinely shocked.
1 year and a half in. OH AND YOUR MANAGEMENT POINTS ARE SPOT ON WE HAVE TWO SUPERVISORS who dont even have any wrenching experience gotta fkn love it I love learning. Older techs seem to gate keep information. Luckily most techs where I work is younger and they are more than willing to train you. I currently have an apprentice, I let him struggle, but also show him tricks to make the jobs quicker. I agree with the pay thing,
Spot on. There are people in management that have no business being in management in automotive and diesel shops. Unless changes are made soon there will be some big problems. Especially with the diesel side when those trucks hauling the goods to the stores grind to a halt because there's no one to fix them
Well trains do have their limits, they can't go everywhere like trucks, not like back in the day when I lived in Philly, trains would go right into some of the old factories@@iamtheoffenderofall
Everything you say is spot on ..I worked in Australia for 5 years for peanuts ,the govt knew about the way mechanics were treated that we had our rent paid by the Goverment,,, When the mining boom came along in western Australia every mechanic electrcian and all the other trades went to work for the big mining companies,,we went from 25k per annum at the local workshops to upwards of 250000k a year,,we had Americans Canadians anyone who could work on heavy equipment they took on ..This had a huge knock on effect for all the trades. to book a service on a car or truck would take 9 months..pathetic management brought down the whole industry.
Everything you have said is true. Pay raises 1 to 2% below inflation every year, negotiated by a large union you only see when someone who should have been fired numerous time is about to actually lose their job. Your company expects you to train new hires for nothing. Then they give them raises that outpace your pay scale, just to keep them from leaving. This profession requires a lot of experience, hands on learning, reading, and persistence. But it takes a huge toll on your body and mind. Anyone who thinks that you are just complaining has never had to crawl under a truck when it is dripping wet with snow and salt when it comes in off the road with an electrical problem that shuts that truck down. Even worse, is that you warned people that these types of problems are avoidable with proper maintenance and thorough repairs on the part of competent mechanics / technicians who take pride and ownership in their work. Good luck with any of this when your average employee coming in the door that is under 40 claims that they do not like to read, have ADHD, won't stop playing with their phones, or have some other excuses why they can't perform at the level we as senior technicians have had to perform at since getting into this business.
It is time for all to call it out and quit the industry. I left the field because shops are not willing to pay; I'm a computer guys so I can relate to all new cars but shops don't know how to charge for diag fees on newer cars. Flat rate sucks because I live in the rustbelt. If I go to work back to fixing cars, it will be for me and not a dealership.
I'm so tired of all the problems I see happening in the automotive industry. For me, as a customer who drives 20 year-old vehicles, I always have knots in my stomach over my fears about replacement parts if and when something finally breaks. And finding qualified mechanics I can trust to do the work... Through time, this has convinced me that the same "upper management" you speak of in this video are the same cretins who deliberately embrace concepts like intentional obsolescence because it's *THOSE* people who find little ways to keep tightening the noose that's around people doing everything they can to keep their older makes and models up and running. And it's because of people like them that in time, it'll get to a point where if your vehicle's water or fuel pump breaks, or maybe its alternator, whatever, you'll be forced to buy some other vehicle as the replacement parts are no longer produced or accessible. Considering the shortage of not only qualified mechanics, but especially qualified fabricators and other small mom-and-pop types who can make their own parts to circumvent market forces and obsolescence, it's going to get worse before it gets better. All of this--again, in my opinion--is to have better market control over what consumers buy, which is pretty important today considering how the manufacturers are going all-in on their EV push. It's a terrifying thought, especially since nobody seems to be doing anything about it to fix any of it or bolster ownership security and ensure generous amounts of replacement parts to put fears like this to rest. I have a buddy who's a gold star GM mechanic. He was a Saturn master tech before the whole 2008/9 mess... A real top-of-the-line kind of tech. I always take my vehicles to him whenever something goes bad... One thing I've learned from him is that his management begins to breath down his neck if he's found to not be generating a specific minimum amount of money per-vehicle bay that he's in charge of. So, right there, you know it's never been about fixing things as much as it is simply financial return, especially in today's ever-deteriorating economic opportunity world, and again, it's because of the c-suite types who ruin everything while making the most money doing it. Everything is just so goddamn bleak anymore. I wish the world made things to last, but due to how much people have become dependent on money just to survive, I guess we'll never see that happen. I keep hoping and praying that some day, we'll see small mom-and-pop shops tool up to such an extent that they begin designing and producing their own replacement parts for vehicles that can keep running like new. God knows the tech is there. Never before have we seen a time in this country when things like at-home mills, DIY forges, TIG/MIG setups, metal lathes, 3D printers, etc. have been as affordable and accessible as they are. I hold out hope that in time, we'll see completely custom vehicles on the road to make the big manufacturer cartel a thing of the past and make vehicle parts more universal to ensure sufficient supply, but I guess we'll have to sit back and just keep hoping because right now, aftermarket suppliers just aren't keeping up with things.
Your absolutely right. I am no longer a mechanic and currently building maintenance. The same thing is happening everywhere. I got lucky with the company I'm with currently.
I was a motor tech when I was younger but got out, my friend who I trained with recently retired he was sick of the job at the end as all they wanted him to do was up sell on every job. They expected him to lie to customers to sell parts they didn't need I'm so glad I got out.
Went through the stuff you talked about, my hats off to you for speaking candidly about it. Sadly management's solution isn't to treat their mechanics better. Instead the whole industry is going towards the throw-away model of cellphones. It's already happening with steering, alternators and transmissions, don't bother to fix them just replace them. Soon with EV even motors will be throwaways.
You are correct, I see Detroit is coming out with a non-servicable transmission, this is the future, they just want someone to push and pull them as cheap as possible
Well said!!!, working for dealers is a whole other video, this doesn't even come close to covering the corruption at a dealer!! How disposable trucks are built now also plays into why it's not worth being a heavy truck mechanic anymore!! At the end of the day, there is no fulfillment or job satisfaction in this trade anymore, and i would not recommend it to anyone!!
I think you need to find a mom and pop shop. My boss was a tech for thirty years. He now owns the shop and he and his wife run the shop well it seems. Only a 1 year tech and im making 22/hr in an ac shop i am not ready for flat rate my diag skills suck so 22/hr is pretty nice in my opinion
I used to work on Diesel. I work on Forklifts now for a Distribution Center now working for a good boss and company. Don't regret making the move. I learned as much as I could and moved on. To stressful of an environment at some shops with management//foreman. I'm a lot happier now I left, and somehow make more money doing slight Diesel work and Forklifts. Tools are another thing to, I racked up $8,500+ like it was nothing and still didn't have everything I needed. Sucks that the industry is like this and I pray for the younger guys getting into this industry (I'm 21) that things change for the better soon.
Also, if there are younger guys out there looking to get into the industry. Stay off the truck!!! And buy your tools outright. Home Depot has nice Milwaukee boxes that do the same job as these name brand tool companies. You do not need top of the line stuff to get the job done. Never go in debt for tools.
Been a mechanic now up in Canada for 20 years (12 years military thrown in there) and never thought I would see a 2700 mechanic drought in my province alone. 14,000 across Canada. It's crazy what companies are throwing at us now to poach people from other companies. I agree with you on flat rate and unions as well. I was working harder as a new hire my first week in than some guys 20+ years in the union. Basically I was working myself out of a job consistently. Never again.
Union dues just another payroll deduction tax. Clearly sharp guys to be skilled mechanics don't need middlemen to communicate to management. Union leaders have contract with union, get well paid first from union dues. Sending to dealer has own issues. I once called 3 Ford dealers in my urban area, Only 1 had a good transmission guy. He was booked 6 months out ....
I spent 42 years at Roadway/YRC/Yellow, conditions were deteriorating for the last 15 years but I would have liked to work 2-3 years more. The new hires were underpaid and probably because of that most were underperformers the company mantra became send it out if the job looked like it was going to take more then a shift to complete. The equipment gets more complicated the companies want to run them more miles and spend less time fixing them cutting costs on techs, training, shop equipment as well as parts inventory. I had a good career but I'm done time to do some traveling and maybe pick up something part time next spring.
A few months ago I saw that yellow was advertising for fresh out of truck driving school truck drivers for the Chicago heights Illinois branch: for $17.00/hour. That works out to be about $34,000 a year to drive a 70 ft long vehicle that weighs 40 ton and that you can get a ticket from any cop and any road at any time or any weigh station. That's why I do spotter work; I make better money per hour home everyday than I dud driving a big rig and not seeing home for two weeks.
You can get a better deal if you shop around, places are desperate and they will pay but they’ll also try to get you for nothing. Some are so against paying mechanics decently that they would rather have a bunch of unproductive bays than pay, in that case they will and should go out of business. We also need to say no to this flat rate bullshit; I shouldn’t get nothing because they couldn’t bring in the work, that’s their job, mine is to fix the cars.
So much of what you say applies to us drivers too. There's no such thing as a driver shortage with the amount of current unused commercial licences on the books. It's a wage shortage. I'm never working for a company big enough to have an HR department ever again.
I agree Brother. I know a lot of owner operators that got out in the past year, and yes you are right about the HR thing, they're there to protect the company not you
I think another reason is every place hiring for mechanics wont take apprentices, you could be putting in 10 hrs a week every week doing your own repairs for the last 10 years and no one will even consider you even if you love doing it and have very good experience learning.
@@danhewitt5109 I don't blame anyone making less for jumping, previous hire union workers got a $5000 bonus and a $5 an hour raise before the open posting, so nobody was below the new hire starting wage, a $22/tech would be stupid not to jump ship, luckily, my boss knows my value, and is making sure I'm happy, it's hard to find a 30 year vet that still wants to do this shit. (Most of the time, I enjoy it !)
To a new potential employee after an interview ask them some questions . Pay / Fringe benefits Overtime Weekend Pay Tool Allowance Foul Weather Gear Warm Shop Absolutely No Flat Rate No Non-Union Forklift Availablity Must have shop hot water pressure washer Shop keeping clean well lighted shop Shop tool availability Insurance on personal tools
If you can wrench trucks you can do industrial maintenance (when nothing breaks they still need you on standby so generally the better you keep things running the less pressure, just be visibly doing preventive maintenance and prove it by documentation), you can learn to fix aircraft (much better working conditions) etc. If you are a young person don't bother with the wheeled world and get thee to the Air Force then do 20 and retire, then take a second aviation career if you feel like it. Uncle Sugar buys everything. The civilian world is mostly a race to the bottom. Work for the government if possible.
service management is a joke they just open a book and say 2.5 hours etc to the customer. When you have 3 semi trucks to move around the yard and get the costumer's rig in the workshop its a joke then pick up some rounded off bolts etc its a joke
I agree with you, service writers try to diagnose things over the phone, warranty doesn't want to pay for installing axles or pushing units into the shop
Techs are labor and the default sentiment for busoness owners is labor is paid too much and they should be happy I give them a job. Yes, a business owner should be richly rewarded but why should you expect your employees to live in squalor with little security?
WHEN I STARTED THIS IT WAS 50/50,BEEN DION THIS FOR 30+ YEARS NOW LABOR IS 100+ PER HOUR NOT PAYING FOR SERVICE WRITERS/OWNERS.BUILT MY OWN SHOP AND PICK AND CHOOSE MY WORK!!!!NOT MENTION THE DEALERS CANNOT FIX/REPAIR THE VEHICALS TODAY.MORE COMPUTERS ON TODAYS CARS THAN THE SPACE SHUTTLE!!!!!
Generator mechanic. All day every day cannot get the office to give me the list of things that need done. Everyday at 430pm they give me a bunch of stuff to do and I have to stay 4 hours over. Last week they bitched at me about there overtime cost. It's office people that sit around all day like they are at home talking with there friends on facebook,on Twitter then when it's time to leave they do ther job in the last 30 minutes of the day. Then they are given bonuses for the work that I do.
Its not just pay , the factories keep changing everything always something new & different updates updates. It gets old , so many places to make a mistake& nowadays a mistake is costly.
I agree 100% i worked my way from mechanic helper, to fleet manager over the last 24 years. Its is brutal what's expected from us the mechanic world use to be a great career not anymore.i was just thinking yesterday I need a change im really considering switching to the parts sales this getting old i need to get back to being responsible for only me people suck hourly paid mechanics drag their feet to get anything done work ethic is super low everyday is a battle of bathroom_phone bandits guys just milk the time clock im stuck holding the pot when montly expectations are barley meet on not meet at all .im tired but like most i feel i am stuck.
I hear ya, Brother I was in the same boat, I over saw 3 older mechanic's and they did next to nothing day I. And day out, constantly trying to get a workman's comp
I'm taking your red flags with me to everyplace I go. Thanks for the tips. In the mean time pay rate's for aircraft techs have gone up. I'm dusting off my A&P license and going back to wrenching on planes.
I totally agree..my service writer books appointments to close she has no idea how long something might take . And as far as the pay I get paid weekly ...VERY weakly
The gap will get wider and wider and the white collars still wont raise pay and benefits, and still wonder why . I was at a manufacturer school, I asked the instructor( he was an engineer of course) about the tech gap, I said it was 58000. He said it was more like 68.000 or more. later in the class warranty repairs came up. it was said that they should concentrate on building a better product the first time and not rely on the techs to fix their poor engineering for nothing. I swear his response was "then what would we need you for" I guess they are finding out what they needed me for. I took my 42 years of experience and started my own, and told them to go *&uk themselves. they made their bed , now they can lay in it as far as I'm concerned. and I'm not the only one. I've never looked back. the best thing I ever did was get out of the toxic dealership environment. I just wish I would have done it a lot sooner.
I hear ya, brother. They made the very problem they're complaining about. I don't feel bad about it. I'm starting my own business which has nothing to do with wrenching, I put my time in.
I went through 3 shops and decided I would not pursue the career any further. Had a couple ase certs by then. I got wind of what they were paying the old guys at each place, no benefits since obamacare wiped it all out. Those jobs weren't going to get you out the trailer park. You got all the tools, the certs, you ain't gonna make money working for them, so you gotta work for yourself and be ok with all the headache that entails.
I own my own shop. Also own a couple of trucks that I'm not running at the time. I like what I do but there is no way in hell will I work for someone else. I can't get any employees. People who ask me for a job are dope heads. Currently I work alone and happy with it. To be a productive mechanic , a person has to be committed. You have to be so many different things and have many skills.
I ran into the same problem with trying to hire guys, they either want $100 an hour or do subpar work, and I would have to go out a redo the work, so it was easier to do it all myself and keep all the money, when I did need a hand like for a engine away I would pay by the job
Classic bean counting. Sure getting rid of older guys looks great in an Excel spreadsheet, but there's lots of valuable experience lost that can be taught to younger people. In addition experienced people are generally more productive.
@@danhewitt5109 I'm thinking about getting into a trade. Currently I'm in a dead end office job and not seeing a path forward towards a family wage. I'm trying to find the intersection between what I could learn to be good at, a path to good wages, and something that's in demand. Any suggestions or advice? I'm thinking about making the jump (or starting to) this time next year. Thanks.
Volvo Mack... but enough on that. It's pretty simple. How many Diesel mechanics make it to retirement age before their bodies give out on them? How many actually have retirement money beyond social security? I made enough as a mechanic to live OK, but not much left over for savings. Now I have a desk job that pays a hell of a lot better
your case is not unique, It's across many jobs and trades, lack of loyalty,shit pay,mistreatment, etc. It's in every industry. The funny thing is the older generation rag on the newer generation as being job hoppers who have no loyalty "they dont work to get the job done even if its not part of your job description" "they dont do 2 week notices they just quit"etc. The funny part is the newer generation is playing smarter than the older one they'll multi job they'll no show quit what the hell do they care if it pays better why should they stay? NONE of these companies are your family they dont care about you at all, and they haven't for a LONG time. Companies dont care about experience or work ethic in the long term. These days, they'll fire you for calling in for a funeral. They dont care they'll just get some sucker off the street doing your job for $5 cheaper aslong as he can do at least 60% as you they are fine with it. The only exception to this is small and family owned businesses, but nepotism can ruin those just as easy. This is the motto that every company and business runs now: "Only be loyal yourself." The good old days with the good old boys is dead, and if you dont follow the same motto, you'll be taken advantage of. I can't tell you how many people I've met at jobs who have been there 10-20 years, and they make a dollar more than i did when i just got hired. Just the way the world works now, everything is disposable, including knowledge. There's no 'quiet quitting' problem. Gen z and millennials aren't lazy. it's just that theres no jobs really worth giving your all anymore because you won't be rewarded for it in the long run
My son just graduated high school and wants to become a mechanic. I've been researching this industry with him and am blown away with what I'm seeing online, just like your video here. So now the question is, as someone looking to get into this industry, where in the hell do you start? Seems like a total Sh#tshow out there. Happy to take any advice from you OG's in regards to specialties or a general direction to go. Thanks!
My advice would be to stay away, but if he wants to get into this field ask him if he'll be OK with working crappy hours and shifts for at least the first 4 to 10 years depending on where he goes, if he goes to a truck leasing company ( the yellow color trucks) expect to start at a low rate and yearly raises that won't stay up with cost of living, but the do have a great vacation and PTO and decent 401 match
My base pay with no overtime at a major shipping company is $101,600($48.86 per hour) There are companies out there that appreciate techs still. It's not all doom and gloom
@@hisprisoner3780 good to hear Brother, if you get a chance watch my " Answering comment's " video it goes over a lot of that stuff, I have a buddy of mine that's makes over 6 figures but he works a lot of hours, most of us are in that 37 to 65 thousand range and for the work and tools it should be more
@@danhewitt5109 I agree most techs are settling for less than they are worth. I encourage techs all the time to come to my company and they never pull the trigger. I don’t understand it. This is probably the easiest tech job I’ve ever had and it pays higher than any company I’ve found. If you’re not happy and underpaid, staying where you’re at is foolish. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.
you can do other suf asml that makes the machenes that make computer chips that are very complex they hunt for master car mechanics to put maintenance the machines and even build them
There isn't a shortage of mechanics, there is however a dire shortage of mechanics willing to work for peanuts!
I can agree with you there Brother
@@danhewitt5109 And I'm a computer engineer not a mechanic. I fix my own and direct family's cars as long as they don't have computers in them😁
It died in the 80dys in 1980 I made 23.11 an hour at that time that was a good wage. the wage has been stuck for way to long. look at the price of cars how they have gone up in price. the cars back then were easy to work on and now they are hard to work on. So it's not worth it.
Same for all professions!
@@philfortner1805 Yes I agree, but we have to buy thousands of dollars of tools most people don't
This isn’t just a problem with mechanics it’s a problem with every profession. The cost of living is too high and the pay most companies wanna give you isn’t enough to live a comfortable decent life especially as a single guy.
Shit your lucky if you don't have a family to support bro.
Being single is much cheaper then having kids there’s no comparison at all from a financial point of view
Yeah. There's NO WAY I'd be able to even be financially attractive to western women, let alone be able to support a family on the shit they were paying.
@@NovaShutter if you don't mind what do you do for a living now?
seriously, i thought i was watching a video about carpentry until i read the title again, i was working union and non-union, and side jobs for 7 years and it seems no matter what ends are always hard to meet. I worked as a carpenter from high school, 2016-2022
Working as an auto tech, I will agree with you. At 62 I got laid off for no apparent reason, so I retired. They don't want to pay senior techs...too bad their loss.
I agree with you the younger people are missing out on a lot of Knowlege, upper management have been killing the field for over 20 years
Theres only so many ways to remove bolts man. The new shit is much harder... Can network diag and oscilloscope work, electrical and emissions etc. Anyone can turn bolts knowning how mordern systems work and how to diagnose them is more important.
But I was in high school 42 years ago, a lot of my parents friends who are in their early fifties got laid off from their white collar jobs from places like standard oil when America was getting rid of middle management positions.
Had 1 manager that fired everyone over 50 bit him in the ass
True or maybe they didn't like you. Because you know how they play their games,and can smell their bullshit a mile away blindfolded in the dark.
I started my own repair business with me being the only employee after 22 years of dedicating my life to someone else's promises. One day I came to the realization that my tools cost me roughly threes years of pay. The drivers and salesmen made 5 times what I was making and they weren't required to have 220k worth of tools to get paid that.
I hear ya Brother, we're getting the short end of the stick
NO MAN it means you must up your skills not samething over and over for 20 years@@danhewitt5109
I agree 100% with all this. I worked at an international brand truck dealership for 10 years, just got out about 6 months ago. I thought when I was young it would be cool to work on big trucks and big diesels, which it was, but the way the dealerships operate and the way technicians are treated, took the fun right out of it. The higher ups were so corrupt, could not even say Merry Christmas or show any employee appreciation. No tool allowance, no work boot allowance, tell you that you have "x" amount of hours to do this job because that's all they are billing, bitch and complain when you spend 15 minutes on the tool truck, etc. Best thing I did was get out of the truck dealership world as your "conventional" mechanic. I work now on generators, with my own service truck, work by myself, very enjoyable and relaxed work environment and I don't have to listen to know-it-all brown nosers all day long and managers, and the pay is so much better.
for real though, we got supervisors calling other employees idiots, yet they literally cant even change a car battery.. like fuck off.
As a heavy diesel mechanic almost 19 years into now, you nailed it on the head. I work at the dealership here in New Zealand. it's exactly the same. They can't get any mechanics because of exactly what you are talking about.
Young lads have realized it's not worth it.
We are a dieing breed, once guys like us retire the industry is screwed, stay safe Brother
Yeah went to trade school went to a dealer quickly moved off lube work and started doing all recalls and warranty work started to get electrical diag putting out 7-12 hours a day labor time making 18$ was doing that off warranty work left joined the railroad
Great and very spot on video I'm 66 retired mechanic and taking my knowledge to the grave.
I hear ya Brother, things were different for us, thank God, lol
I’ve seen 2 master techs at Toyota quit to drive amazon trucks. It’s scary how low the wages are at the dealership here. One sales guy made $400,000 last year.
Have to be smart. One master tech retired in his mid 40s. He has been the guy that did all the scrap metal on days off, did side work at home, flipped cars, etc.
well he saved and bought rental properties and quit wrenching when his passive income from rentals got to be enough to live off.
I'm hearing these same stories over and over again, mechanic's being used and abused, I was for years, then I got divorced and starting looking at money differently and now I have stocks, and rental properties, us mechanic's need to start thinking outside the box
@@danhewitt5109
The thing to keep in mind, you can fix anything. My buddy Josh has become an expert on electrical, plumbing, hvac, kitchen carpentry, paint, etc
And he’s got his son starting off in the contraction trades to keep building the empire
Smart
Good senior techs need to start their own shops and do a rate split 50/50 with the senior techs they hire. Corporate shops want all the $ for themselves.
That maybe something worth looking into, I do agree with the second point, I worked at a dealership, and I had my customers buying reman engine from the dealership and I was installing them, the company confronted me, and I said what's the problem you're get your piece of the pie, they said we want the whole pie. The funny thing was I sold more engines then the salesmen
So....I risk the startup capital to do the business and make the tech a partner with no risk? I want to be clear on what you are saying? Cause if thats the case....hire me..... I will be your 50/50 partner with ZERO risk.
I'm sure how that works, I had a sub comment that, I'm sure there is more to it. I tried to have co-workers help me on side jobs, but they all want $100 an hour and only want to do certain things, so I stopped doing that unless I was installing an engine and needed a second hand, but I just paid a flat fee to them. I had a owner tried to get me to rent his garage and pay him 10% of each job, he said I could make a ton of money. I said no I would be working 24-7 just to pay him, everyone seems to want to scam the mechanic's@@iamtheoffenderofall
The tech is not a partner. You get 50% of his bill rate and 50% of the bill rate of all the other senior techs you hire. Maybe you pay B mechanics 30% of the bill rate and C mechanics 20%. You also make money on the parts. Plus, you pay $0 for unproductive hours but have to pay at least minimum wage on average. @@iamtheoffenderofall
The taxes make it not worth it.
Paying $3-4k quarterly.
Quite when I realized that I was needing to make $25/hr 24/7 in order to just pay taxes.
When if you slow down you know it’s just adding up.
And when you own it you’re workin A LOT
Be ready to do all the labor of service writers and phone time.
And working at independent shop you can make as much easily.
And work 8hr or less a day.
No phone calls.
No sleepless nights.
I’ll never officially start a shop again.
Stay small.
A long time ago I tried to talk my brother into the work I do because it paid really well. I ran heavy equipment building bridges and worked in a shop repairing equipment in the winter. We had 2 tractors, 5 or six flatbeds and 2 lowboys. We had 5 cranes and 2 excavators too so a pretty small company. His main reason for not wanting to do that kind of work was that he didn't want to get dirty. This was in 1997. The schools told him he could make 6 figures programing computers. I haven't talked to him in yrs but I'm sure he hasn't hit that mark to this day. I can't say for sure but he drives old Saturn's. The point is there's a whole generation that was taught if you get dirty at work you are a loser.
I totally agree with you, I've seen the same thing with guys I went to HS with. I mean don't get me wrong I always had my bill paid and was never homeless, but your not going to be able to invest in anything big working 9 to 5 most guys will need to work a ton of overtime or side work, that's what I did after my divorce and I'm sitting pretty good now.
People don't have the skills today we did 30-40 years ago. I'm a retired Mech haevy duty diesel, Hyd, Numatic, electric over hydraulic Power shifts, A.C. Hydro static, open center, closed center, electric steering, we had to know a lot back over the years. There is a ton of information being lost from older mech going the way side.
I'll never undertand young techs who won't listen to old timers of the industry 🤷♂️
Im 38, and i learnt early on that if you find an older mechanic who happily rambles on for hours about what he knows/experience then you stick to him like a barnacle and soak him up like a fucking sponge until the well runs dry.
And in my experience, 90% of the 'old timers' ive met in my 20 year career have been more than happy to share everything they know with an enthusiastic young mind.
I was a diesel mechanic for Freightliner for 22 years. I put as much as I possibly could into a 401k and then I retired @52. I hated almost every single day. Especially when it was over 110 degrees,working on a truck that was over 220 degrees. So glad I’m out.😊😊
I hear ya brother, I just quit a few weeks ago, getting into something else
It's not a mechanic shortage, it's an over abundance of crap shops. Shops will be forced to pay what's left of the survivors. The other problem is kids nowadays seem to think they can do an oil change a day and make 100K a year.
I work in Canada. the union shops usually offer the highest pay (some pushing $55 CAD/hr), but i totally agree with you about the union saving useless people, and them cutting deals with management. There is no doubt about that. Management is the biggest issue, whatever you mentioned in that video is spot on.
The "gap" you mention is also spot on. I have been doing this for about 5 years, started at 22. All the senior guys I worked with are slowly retiring, and they'll be taking the wealth of knowledge with them. I was fortunate enough to learn lots, but it seems a lot of the newer hires we have don't care to take it in. I was talking to a Heavy Duty instructor at the local institute and he said they pumped out so many "covid mechanics." Kids who learned about engines, HP fuel systems etc through online classes during the lockdown. When they came back to class for the next level he said none of them knew anything about anything.. pretty scary.
Yes sir, that gap is coming and it's going to be bad,
Worked as a aircraft technician for 37 years at a major US airlines, Same here Management sees mechanics as a financial liability and strip mechanics of their pay and retirement,Mechanics have no respect and treated very poorly , Looking forward to retirement very soon and now they are faced with a shortage with the next generation of lazy no productivity type of workers due to low pay and benefits, I will not teach any new mechanics and let this crummy airline literally crash and burn
I hear ya Brother, a lot of us feel the same way out here
American Airlines???
Its pretty simply to be honest. Pay the people right. Give them real benifits. Make it a livable job. Working on sucks. People beat the piss out their equipment and we gotta deal with it. Then management says it takes this long to do warranty work when it takes double or triple the time.
That's all we are asking for, like I said in one of my videos I not asking for $25 more an hour, but $4/$5 an hour would be nice , and $4/$5 every year or so would be reasonable, we have a lot of time and tools invested into the job
100% agree with this video. Technicians gets Screwed badly And unfortunately, the only way to stop it is if we stop working and go to something else.
Believe me I tried Brother I tried to get out a few times, just couldn't take the pay cut
Then they will hire more Mexicans,Chinese,people from India etc.
This is how I feel about most of the things around the shop I’m at. I feel like I’m stuck and don’t know what to do.
I feel your pain Brother, been there
Your toolbox has wheels. Don't bluff, have another place lined up. I squeezed an extra dollar/hr out of a shop that was a revolving door. That one negotiation made me an extra $3k for the year I worked there.
@@ricksanchez7459 I have done this move a few times in my career, I'm waiting to hear back from a job interview now,
100% I have been in it for nearly 25 years, too. I make $33/hr, am at the top of my field, have over 30k in tools, and am getting out of it sometime over the next few weeks. When drivers are making 100k+/year to sit and move a steering wheel, and we can barely make 70k with all the certifications, tools, etc, it is time to get out of it. Good luck to you, sir.
I hear ya Brother, there's no incentive to wrench anymore, everyone is getting paid but the people doing the work
Great vid,been pulling wrenches for 40 plus years, for the first 20 I was able to support my family and pay the house off on my earnings, now my kids have moved on and are working but me and the wife just get by now and as a fleet tech I earn close to 6 figures a year, in Canada the amount of taxes and hidden taxes is over 50% of gross income. The automotive tech is one of the lowest and least respected Red seal trades up here.
It's sad to see that people that work so hard don't get pay what they're worth and respected
You are absolutely correct with all diesel and auto technicians. I’ve been in the automotive field for 35 years and have seen it all.
Thanks for your support Brother, we need to stick together
I retired 2 years ago and was a mechanic 54 years, making a living. I've worked dealerships, garages, big companies. These big companies now all they want to to make money for shareholders, and put us to the bottom. Like you said, they are putting people in management who have never had a wrench in their hands, but got a piece of paper that says they qualify for that job. I had a manager that I had been doing this kind of work than he was in age trying to tell me how to do my job. They would hire new young mechanic and try to show them something to make it easier, was like talking rock wall. I finally tired of the BS, and I had the age I hung it up
I'm at the same spot in my life, I have a few more pieces to put into place and I'm out. I the thing I heard was big companies are hiring women in management BC male customer's are less likely to yell at women, when there's a problem
@@danhewitt5109
I heard that Australia made a law that by 2006 35% of all corporate boards must be made up of women. Doesn't matter that some guy might have Forty-Eight years and with the company, if a woman comes along to fill that quota, she will get the bill.
Tried to retire (40+ years in trade) going back for a minute because of the pay (increasing rapidly) at least in Florida, mechanic ads everywhere, nobody left.
5 years of experience with all the ASE certifications and Tech School for less then 27$ in hour must have own tools. These multi million dollar greedy companies expecting too much, but pay pennies.
I agree Brother.
100% correct!!! been a heavy equipment mechanic for many many years and it gets worse every year!
It's literally not even about getting it done right at all anymore. These guys are parts cannon on everything. Management only cares about the money not the truth
Very ture my Brother, I've seen that first hand, everything is about money
Yes, I have retired a couple times in the past four years, only to be lured back by promises of better conditions and higher pay. I have been a heavy equipment mechanic since 1987, I’m tired, and I am ready to just work my farm, and let my wheels rust on my tool box’s. These days, I work for a week, then I take a week to work my farm. It’s a decent compromise between heavy wrench turning and working on my farm like I want
I hear ya brother, I wish you the best
I have this 'irrational' thing at times.
I've been in your shoes. I was a mechanic and later on, a service manager. Fortunately, I'm a Marine Corps veteran and I had the old GI Bill. This allowed me to go back to school back in the late 70's and I earned my engineering degree (marine engineering and naval architecture). Never looked back. Hang in there, brother. Keep your eyes open and take advantage of any opportunities that come your way. 👍👍👍
Good to hear, thank you for your service
Just like the UK with engineers and doctors, it's a manufactured shortage, and we just happen to have boat loads of both crossing the English channel illegally every day.
Upper management has been lying to everyone under them - it’s not just in repair industry. Benefits suck everywhere - no such thing as a pension anymore - best you can hope for is 401k and some small match. It’s sad but the only way you’ll get what you want is running your own operation.
I agree with you 100% I have worked as a mechanic on heavy equipment for over 45 years and many times I have asked myself why , between the shitty weather conditions I have had to work in and trying to talk to upper management about how long it will take to repair certain equipment malfunctions is nothing but a head ache when they have no clue what I’m talking about ,they don’t no a tire from a differential and have no clue what it takes to do certain jobs. I myself would rather just jump into trouble shooting and getting the problem fixed and be done with it then have to waste my time trying to explain the technicalities to someone who has the brains of a rock.
I hear ya brother, I'm done last day was Friday, I have other sources of income, so now I'm looking for a job to just show up to. LOL
32 years in the business, I just started my own mobile business the best decision I ever made 🖖 I have talk to many of mechanics and they all say the same thing you saying Brother.. the pay is too low and the hours are up and down plus the parts shortage is crazy at the dealerships ..
I wish you the best of luck Brother, I hope you don't have any outfits the problems I had to deal with
Bout half a year In as a diesel mechanic and I’ve already started planning my way out by going into Aviation as a AMT (less tools needed and more money than auto and diesel). I really like working on trucks but man like you’ve said the money just isn’t enough considering the investments you make and the wear on your body. For me being 19 what I make is decent but it caps out very quickly. The guys who do make the decent money have $50000+ in tools, CDL (which is another $5000), 15+ years in the trade, and ASE certifications (yet another investment). Mind you all of this is to make maybe 35-45 an hour
I mean cmon man you got these ceos of these truck leasing companies buying million dollar super yachts while the techs who literally keep the business running are making 20-27 an hour like cmon it just doesn’t add up
my wife as a Radiology Tech of 10yrs makes $40hr for $85k last year....Ive been a Ford Tech for 27yrs at same dealer.I made $20k less than her last year..she doesnt work that hard either.this is FACT and is where im at.Not impressed to say the least
I got out in 2009. Went thru the GMASEP program and got an associates degree in Automotive Technology. I went to lawn care then local bus garage, moved to helper on aircraft heavy checks and now back into wrenching on diesel. Flat rate will kill a good tech that can troubleshoot well. You'll starve while the other greenhorns get loads of gravy services.
Damn Skippy . Makes you sick .
Upper management yeah, it’s all about money in their pocket not yours. But let’s be realistic about this people in upper management weren’t hired for their expertise. They were hired to keep cost down and they work cheaper than somebody with experience. it all goes back to the owner if he wants to shop to have a revolving door of technicians, have it customers see that. When I started out in this industry in the late 60s, I got 50% of the door rate I believe now you’re lucky to get 1/4%. I never worked hourly always flat rate my work was top-notch. I took care of any problems I created don’t pay me once it’s the last time now they’re all hurting for good technicians. I’m on my own and I make pretty good money they get the warranty I get the cash, who is laughing now
I'm from the UK, past 4/5 years over here have seen a lot of diesel tech's (hgv techs we call them) move to other industries where the skillset transfers. I have seen especially over the past year dealerships pushing real hard to make them more attractive places to work. Wages are now mostly very impressive across the board with an actually package of benifits on offer too.
maybe I should move there, LOL it's getting worse over here
I remember when Mercedes wanted me to do roadside 24 hours a day. they offered $50 per time i went out. Even at 3 am! I said no way. I left the dealership in 08. everything you said i have seen. they treat mechanics like prison labor. thankfully I escaped
I tried to escape a few times, I couldn't live on a pay cut, so I was trapped in
The big one is pay, my wages have stayed stagnant while the dealership makes record sales, but when you put your hand out, they are broke. One of my coworkers had given notice cause he got a better offer that they weren’t gonna match, a last minute Hail Mary at the 13th hour kept him there but they almost lost a solid engine tech, over 5 dollars per hour increase.
At the end of the day your not gonna keep good techs unless, you pay, and offer some decent benefits, if your not 20 other places will give better offers
I totally agree with you Brother, that has happened to me, I stayed for a little bit, but I had a bad taste in my mouth from it.
Everything you said is true. I've heard the same things from my dad being in the industry for 40 plus years.
Thank you sir, good know I'm not the only one seeing it
I feel as if society has completely lost their minds when it comes to real world value. It’s astonishing.
Great video. I just started as a Diesel Tech. I work on Semi’s and now trailers too. Ive been at this a year now. I went to school and continue to study on my time off. The truth is, I made more money when working in warehousing driving a forklift and had better benefits. These companies say anything to get you in the door, then when you get there it was either a flat out lie or deceiving. Pay has to come up first, why would people come into this industry like I did if they can make the same or more with half the work load and knowledge? All your points are spot on, obviously because you’ve been there and done that. Thanks.
Nice to hear I'm not the only one seeing it, it's sad I really enjoy wrenching but the companies suck the life and fun right out of it
Hey man, I’m a union carpenter right now but have been thinking about becoming a diesel mechanic because I really enjoy wrenching. I’m looking going into the trade school here in my city but it sounds like it’s not worth it?
@@stevenmartin3178 stay away, far away, my man it's not worth it
@@stevenmartin3178 trade school is what you make it. It can be super helpful and get you ahead of other beginners without it. It’s a slow start, you won’t be making “good money” right out the gate most likely. It’s taxing on your body. So far I still think it’s worth it, but you gotta put in 3-5 years before the money gets decent. I plan to go out on my own as a mobile diesel mechanic as soon as possible so my end goals might be different than yours. Also remember diesel mechanic can be semi trucks, generators, off road heavy equipment, forklifts, marine, etc.
Also remember it’s a vast amount of learning and information and skills you have to know. So at some point, your always being underpaid in my opinion. Going independent means you can name your own price within reason.
I agree with everything that you've said in this video! I am currently working with Honda, on flat rate bi-weekly pay as a PDI/ Express Plus tech. Let me tell ya, it isnt worth doing at all! They want me to move to main shop, but i refuse as I'm already being screwed as it is. I've been in and out of the industry in both diesel & gas since 03. We were saying the same things back then. They're seeing the actions more now though. Im currently in school for cyber security because this field just isnt cutting it. The sweat tax doesn’t match the paycheck.
Bro, if you’re flat rate doing pdis and express stuff and you’re not making money, then you’re in the wrong field or you’re just not trying to learn to get ahead. Plenty of ppl making 140k+ after getting credentials under their belt
@n.e.lnchpn9784 I'm the " aid " to the PDI guy in my dealership. So when he's backed up or out for the day, that's when I get PDI's. So the bulk of my check comes from doing express plus tickets and upsales from express tickets. I'm sure there are peeps making 70,80 or even 90k a year doing this, but trust me, they're few and far in between and they're running like crazy.
@@ItsTheKeji bro… every shop I’ve been in half of the flat rate guys make 60+ hours easy. And if you’re the PDI guys helper, then no disrespect but thats literally bottom of the totem pole service wise so you DEFINITELY shouldn’t be flat rate. I work for a high end German brand wrenching at a dealer my guy trust they set you up to starve if you were flat rate just being a helper, sorry to tell you. You’re PDIs are for passports not high ticket cars no reason you should be flat rate and somebody’s helper, especially if that’s most of what you can do. that makes zero sense, ask around. There’s a kid who got hired on flat rate at my shop who’s 19 and he averages 110% efficiency. Brand matters too, my brand pays good on time but In general no one who’s flat rate is breaking a sweat in my shop, they just know their shit lol. And they definitely aren’t getting many PDI’s IF ANY unless the car has limited allocations…
@@ItsTheKeji and if you think “some” people are making north of 80k as a tech, then you really need to hop on indeed my friend. Not sure where you are, but all across New England flat rate jobs are ranging from 60-140 a year everywhere. And thats for your GM, Mazda, Hyundai type of dealerships, so just imagine the luxury brand payouts for techs 😉
Ive been in your shoes before......I switched to repairing fork lifts / light material handling equipment and its never been better. im telling ya its a really great area of the trade to look into....
I been a mechanic for 42 year's, i been Master certified for 33 year's.
I have my ase a1 to a13, b1 to b8, i have my Cummins number, im also certified threw Mack/Volvo.
Owner's and management have been destroying the business since the 1980s
Today i make48.00 per hour, i also teach for Cummins and Mack
I recently got certified in electric International trucks and Mack /Volvo.
Pensions were destroyed in the late 80s , thank the unions.
I hear ya Brother, good to hear you're doing well
Keep on top of CAN software like Insite, Diamond logic builder, etc... And get your own adapter. Dearborn works best on virtual machines. The problem is that these software packages can run thousands of dollars for the licence. AG is even more expensive. There's ways around to get them cheaper. But once you show that you can use the stuff without having to take costly training. You can write your own checks.
My recent interactions with some franchise shops showed me that the people they are hiring are absolute morons. I've had to go and actually diagnose the issues for family members vehicles. All the other shops cared about was a friggin brake job. I was a mechanic years ago and left for a factory job that paid more, and have since moved on to a public utility. But I have always kept up on modern engine controls and diagnosis along with tools and scan tools. I've been offered jobs at shops, and when I tell them what I make now they are genuinely shocked.
So true, it's bad out here
1 year and a half in.
OH AND YOUR MANAGEMENT POINTS ARE SPOT ON WE HAVE TWO SUPERVISORS who dont even have any wrenching experience gotta fkn love it
I love learning. Older techs seem to gate keep information.
Luckily most techs where I work is younger and they are more than willing to train you.
I currently have an apprentice, I let him struggle, but also show him tricks to make the jobs quicker.
I agree with the pay thing,
Spot on. There are people in management that have no business being in management in automotive and diesel shops. Unless changes are made soon there will be some big problems. Especially with the diesel side when those trucks hauling the goods to the stores grind to a halt because there's no one to fix them
I hear ya, but today there's no reason to be a diesel mechanic, you can make more money driving a forklift in a Wherehouse.
Trains move more, faster, and cheaper. There is literally no reason to truck anything across country when rails do it faster.
Well trains do have their limits, they can't go everywhere like trucks, not like back in the day when I lived in Philly, trains would go right into some of the old factories@@iamtheoffenderofall
@@iamtheoffenderofalllazy take. You still need trucks to ship heavy goods short distances. You can't just run rail everywhere
Everything you say is spot on ..I worked in Australia for 5 years for peanuts ,the govt knew about the way mechanics were treated that we had our rent paid by the Goverment,,, When the mining boom came along in western Australia every mechanic electrcian and all the other trades went to work for the big mining companies,,we went from 25k per annum at the local workshops to upwards of 250000k a year,,we had Americans Canadians anyone who could work on heavy equipment they took on ..This had a huge knock on effect for all the trades. to book a service on a car or truck would take 9 months..pathetic management brought down the whole industry.
Everything you have said is true. Pay raises 1 to 2% below inflation every year, negotiated by a large union you only see when someone who should have been fired numerous time is about to actually lose their job. Your company expects you to train new hires for nothing. Then they give them raises that outpace your pay scale, just to keep them from leaving. This profession requires a lot of experience, hands on learning, reading, and persistence. But it takes a huge toll on your body and mind.
Anyone who thinks that you are just complaining has never had to crawl under a truck when it is dripping wet with snow and salt when it comes in off the road with an electrical problem that shuts that truck down. Even worse, is that you warned people that these types of problems are avoidable with proper maintenance and thorough repairs on the part of competent mechanics / technicians who take pride and ownership in their work.
Good luck with any of this when your average employee coming in the door that is under 40 claims that they do not like to read, have ADHD, won't stop playing with their phones, or have some other excuses why they can't perform at the level we as senior technicians have had to perform at since getting into this business.
I hear ya brother, I'm glad I'm not the only one seeing the BS
Right on the money bud! You are so right! Godbless
It is time for all to call it out and quit the industry. I left the field because shops are not willing to pay; I'm a computer guys so I can relate to all new cars but shops don't know how to charge for diag fees on newer cars. Flat rate sucks because I live in the rustbelt. If I go to work back to fixing cars, it will be for me and not a dealership.
I'm so tired of all the problems I see happening in the automotive industry. For me, as a customer who drives 20 year-old vehicles, I always have knots in my stomach over my fears about replacement parts if and when something finally breaks. And finding qualified mechanics I can trust to do the work... Through time, this has convinced me that the same "upper management" you speak of in this video are the same cretins who deliberately embrace concepts like intentional obsolescence because it's *THOSE* people who find little ways to keep tightening the noose that's around people doing everything they can to keep their older makes and models up and running. And it's because of people like them that in time, it'll get to a point where if your vehicle's water or fuel pump breaks, or maybe its alternator, whatever, you'll be forced to buy some other vehicle as the replacement parts are no longer produced or accessible. Considering the shortage of not only qualified mechanics, but especially qualified fabricators and other small mom-and-pop types who can make their own parts to circumvent market forces and obsolescence, it's going to get worse before it gets better. All of this--again, in my opinion--is to have better market control over what consumers buy, which is pretty important today considering how the manufacturers are going all-in on their EV push. It's a terrifying thought, especially since nobody seems to be doing anything about it to fix any of it or bolster ownership security and ensure generous amounts of replacement parts to put fears like this to rest.
I have a buddy who's a gold star GM mechanic. He was a Saturn master tech before the whole 2008/9 mess... A real top-of-the-line kind of tech. I always take my vehicles to him whenever something goes bad... One thing I've learned from him is that his management begins to breath down his neck if he's found to not be generating a specific minimum amount of money per-vehicle bay that he's in charge of. So, right there, you know it's never been about fixing things as much as it is simply financial return, especially in today's ever-deteriorating economic opportunity world, and again, it's because of the c-suite types who ruin everything while making the most money doing it.
Everything is just so goddamn bleak anymore.
I wish the world made things to last, but due to how much people have become dependent on money just to survive, I guess we'll never see that happen. I keep hoping and praying that some day, we'll see small mom-and-pop shops tool up to such an extent that they begin designing and producing their own replacement parts for vehicles that can keep running like new. God knows the tech is there. Never before have we seen a time in this country when things like at-home mills, DIY forges, TIG/MIG setups, metal lathes, 3D printers, etc. have been as affordable and accessible as they are. I hold out hope that in time, we'll see completely custom vehicles on the road to make the big manufacturer cartel a thing of the past and make vehicle parts more universal to ensure sufficient supply, but I guess we'll have to sit back and just keep hoping because right now, aftermarket suppliers just aren't keeping up with things.
Your absolutely right. I am no longer a mechanic and currently building maintenance. The same thing is happening everywhere. I got lucky with the company I'm with currently.
I hear ya Brother, I almost did the same thing but building maintenance just doesn't pay as must in my area
@@raygunner2437 I'm almost there with ya Brother, I have a few more pieces to put in place then I'll be done, stay safe
I was a motor tech when I was younger but got out, my friend who I trained with recently retired he was sick of the job at the end as all they wanted him to do was up sell on every job. They expected him to lie to customers to sell parts they didn't need I'm so glad I got out.
Went through the stuff you talked about, my hats off to you for speaking candidly about it.
Sadly management's solution isn't to treat their mechanics better. Instead the whole industry is going towards the throw-away model of cellphones. It's already happening with steering, alternators and transmissions, don't bother to fix them just replace them. Soon with EV even motors will be throwaways.
You are correct, I see Detroit is coming out with a non-servicable transmission, this is the future, they just want someone to push and pull them as cheap as possible
I work with an older guy who has been around forever. Great at wrenches. Not so much around computers/ECM/emissions, etc.
Well said!!!, working for dealers is a whole other video, this doesn't even come close to covering the corruption at a dealer!! How disposable trucks are built now also plays into why it's not worth being a heavy truck mechanic anymore!! At the end of the day, there is no fulfillment or job satisfaction in this trade anymore, and i would not recommend it to anyone!!
I think you need to find a mom and pop shop. My boss was a tech for thirty years. He now owns the shop and he and his wife run the shop well it seems. Only a 1 year tech and im making 22/hr in an ac shop i am not ready for flat rate my diag skills suck so 22/hr is pretty nice in my opinion
I used to work on Diesel. I work on Forklifts now for a Distribution Center now working for a good boss and company. Don't regret making the move. I learned as much as I could and moved on. To stressful of an environment at some shops with management//foreman. I'm a lot happier now I left, and somehow make more money doing slight Diesel work and Forklifts. Tools are another thing to, I racked up $8,500+ like it was nothing and still didn't have everything I needed. Sucks that the industry is like this and I pray for the younger guys getting into this industry (I'm 21) that things change for the better soon.
Also, if there are younger guys out there looking to get into the industry. Stay off the truck!!! And buy your tools outright. Home Depot has nice Milwaukee boxes that do the same job as these name brand tool companies. You do not need top of the line stuff to get the job done. Never go in debt for tools.
Good to hear I hope you're happy, that's all hat matters
yall stand strong , or we will never get this country back one problem at a time
You are speaking the truth bigs facts 💯
Thank you brother
Been a mechanic now up in Canada for 20 years (12 years military thrown in there) and never thought I would see a 2700 mechanic drought in my province alone. 14,000 across Canada. It's crazy what companies are throwing at us now to poach people from other companies. I agree with you on flat rate and unions as well. I was working harder as a new hire my first week in than some guys 20+ years in the union. Basically I was working myself out of a job consistently. Never again.
Union dues just another payroll deduction tax. Clearly sharp guys to be skilled mechanics don't need middlemen to communicate to management. Union leaders have contract with union, get well paid first from union dues.
Sending to dealer has own issues. I once called 3 Ford dealers in my urban
area, Only 1 had a good transmission guy. He was booked 6 months out ....
What do you bring home per month? Is mechanic's really worth doing as a caree
I spent 42 years at Roadway/YRC/Yellow, conditions were deteriorating for the last 15 years but I would have liked to work 2-3 years more.
The new hires were underpaid and probably because of that most were underperformers the company mantra became send it out if the job looked like it was going to take more then a shift to complete. The equipment gets more complicated the companies want to run them more miles and spend less time fixing them cutting costs on techs, training, shop equipment as well as parts inventory. I had a good career but I'm done time to do some traveling and maybe pick up something part time next spring.
I hear ya Brother, I wish you the best.
A few months ago I saw that yellow was advertising for fresh out of truck driving school truck drivers for the Chicago heights Illinois branch: for $17.00/hour. That works out to be about $34,000 a year to drive a 70 ft long vehicle that weighs 40 ton and that you can get a ticket from any cop and any road at any time or any weigh station. That's why I do spotter work; I make better money per hour home everyday than I dud driving a big rig and not seeing home for two weeks.
NOBODY WANTS TO PAY A DAMN LIVING WAGE
You can get a better deal if you shop around, places are desperate and they will pay but they’ll also try to get you for nothing. Some are so against paying mechanics decently that they would rather have a bunch of unproductive bays than pay, in that case they will and should go out of business. We also need to say no to this flat rate bullshit; I shouldn’t get nothing because they couldn’t bring in the work, that’s their job, mine is to fix the cars.
Being a mechanic now is total bs 😂😅
Yes sir, that's why I quit on Friday, I'm done
Nailed It! Thanks!
So much of what you say applies to us drivers too.
There's no such thing as a driver shortage with the amount of current unused commercial licences on the books. It's a wage shortage.
I'm never working for a company big enough to have an HR department ever again.
I agree Brother. I know a lot of owner operators that got out in the past year, and yes you are right about the HR thing, they're there to protect the company not you
I used to be a heavy truck mechanic.I can vouch for everything this man says.
Ty sir, glad to see I'm not the only one that was rode hard and put away wet, lol
I think another reason is every place hiring for mechanics wont take apprentices, you could be putting in 10 hrs a week every week doing your own repairs for the last 10 years and no one will even consider you even if you love doing it and have very good experience learning.
Local aerospace manufacturer is offering $ 28.82 starting wage, you get to show up, work your 8, and leave, no tool investment, etc,..
That's what I'm talking about, us mechanic's don't need this shit
@@danhewitt5109 I don't blame anyone making less for jumping, previous hire union workers got a $5000 bonus and a $5 an hour raise before the open posting, so nobody was below the new hire starting wage, a $22/tech would be stupid not to jump ship, luckily, my boss knows my value, and is making sure I'm happy, it's hard to find a 30 year vet that still wants to do this shit. (Most of the time, I enjoy it !)
Great video spot on 100% least I have been a ups fleet diesel tech for last 27 years we are teamsters and its a great career
Thanks brother, glad to hear you enjoy where you are, unfortunately most of is aren't that lucky
@danhewitt5109 ya I did have 5 miserable years at the mack dealership
To a new potential employee after an interview ask them some questions .
Pay / Fringe benefits
Overtime Weekend Pay
Tool Allowance
Foul Weather Gear
Warm Shop
Absolutely No Flat Rate
No Non-Union
Forklift Availablity
Must have shop hot water pressure washer
Shop keeping clean well lighted shop
Shop tool availability
Insurance on personal tools
Good questions, but I think after the tool allowance question it will be over, LOL
If you can wrench trucks you can do industrial maintenance (when nothing breaks they still need you on standby so generally the better you keep things running the less pressure, just be visibly doing preventive maintenance and prove it by documentation), you can learn to fix aircraft (much better working conditions) etc. If you are a young person don't bother with the wheeled world and get thee to the Air Force then do 20 and retire, then take a second aviation career if you feel like it. Uncle Sugar buys everything.
The civilian world is mostly a race to the bottom. Work for the government if possible.
I hear ya Brother, I should've joined the Air Force, I would've been set for life
When I was in high school from 2000-2004, the Iraq War was in full swing. The military was not an option.
service management is a joke they just open a book and say 2.5 hours etc to the customer. When you have 3 semi trucks to move around the yard and get the costumer's rig in the workshop its a joke then pick up some rounded off bolts etc its a joke
I agree with you, service writers try to diagnose things over the phone, warranty doesn't want to pay for installing axles or pushing units into the shop
Sounds a lot like what they do to the drivers as well
I would agree with you, I've seen some shady stuff they do to driver's also over the years
@@danhewitt5109OTR mega companies are the worst.
Techs are labor and the default sentiment for busoness owners is labor is paid too much and they should be happy I give them a job. Yes, a business owner should be richly rewarded but why should you expect your employees to live in squalor with little security?
WHEN I STARTED THIS IT WAS 50/50,BEEN DION THIS FOR 30+ YEARS NOW LABOR IS 100+ PER HOUR NOT PAYING FOR SERVICE WRITERS/OWNERS.BUILT MY OWN SHOP AND PICK AND CHOOSE MY WORK!!!!NOT MENTION THE DEALERS CANNOT FIX/REPAIR THE VEHICALS TODAY.MORE COMPUTERS ON TODAYS CARS THAN THE SPACE SHUTTLE!!!!!
Just like there was a supposed truck driver shortage it's so people jump into the field so they can drive wages down
This was 100% true your a very smart dude thanks...
Thank you, Brother, just saying what we're all thinking
Generator mechanic.
All day every day cannot get the office to give me the list of things that need done.
Everyday at 430pm they give me a bunch of stuff to do and I have to stay 4 hours over.
Last week they bitched at me about there overtime cost.
It's office people that sit around all day like they are at home talking with there friends on facebook,on Twitter then when it's time to leave they do ther job in the last 30 minutes of the day.
Then they are given bonuses for the work that I do.
Yes sir! everybody and their brother is getting a bonus or something and the people doing the work get nothing but shit on
Its not just pay , the factories keep changing everything always something new & different updates updates. It gets old , so many places to make a mistake& nowadays a mistake is costly.
I agree, plus tools aren't getting any cheaper, I can get a forklift job and don't have to buy tools and all I have to do is show up
I agree 100% i worked my way from mechanic helper, to fleet manager over the last 24 years. Its is brutal what's expected from us the mechanic world use to be a great career not anymore.i was just thinking yesterday I need a change im really considering switching to the parts sales this getting old i need to get back to being responsible for only me people suck hourly paid mechanics drag their feet to get anything done work ethic is super low everyday is a battle of bathroom_phone bandits guys just milk the time clock im stuck holding the pot when montly expectations are barley meet on not meet at all .im tired but like most i feel i am stuck.
I hear ya, Brother I was in the same boat, I over saw 3 older mechanic's and they did next to nothing day I. And day out, constantly trying to get a workman's comp
I'm taking your red flags with me to everyplace I go. Thanks for the tips. In the mean time pay rate's for aircraft techs have gone up. I'm dusting off my A&P license and going back to wrenching on planes.
Ty. We have to do what's best for us, I hope you find someplace that fits you
I totally agree..my service writer books appointments to close she has no idea how long something might take . And as far as the pay I get paid weekly ...VERY weakly
I hear ya Brother, there's no benefit to being a mechanic anymore, it's not even fun to do anymore, I loved what I did, up until a few years ago
@@danhewitt5109 same here man . I'm 55.. been turning wrenches for 15 years
The gap will get wider and wider and the white collars still wont raise pay and benefits, and still wonder why . I was at a manufacturer school, I asked the instructor( he was an engineer of course) about the tech gap, I said it was 58000. He said it was more like 68.000 or more. later in the class warranty repairs came up. it was said that they should concentrate on building a better product the first time and not rely on the techs to fix their poor engineering for nothing. I swear his response was "then what would we need you for" I guess they are finding out what they needed me for. I took my 42 years of experience and started my own, and told them to go *&uk themselves. they made their bed , now they can lay in it as far as I'm concerned. and I'm not the only one. I've never looked back. the best thing I ever did was get out of the toxic dealership environment. I just wish I would have done it a lot sooner.
I hear ya, brother. They made the very problem they're complaining about. I don't feel bad about it. I'm starting my own business which has nothing to do with wrenching, I put my time in.
I went through 3 shops and decided I would not pursue the career any further. Had a couple ase certs by then. I got wind of what they were paying the old guys at each place, no benefits since obamacare wiped it all out. Those jobs weren't going to get you out the trailer park. You got all the tools, the certs, you ain't gonna make money working for them, so you gotta work for yourself and be ok with all the headache that entails.
Obamacare is the main reason one can start their own business. You pay only what you can afford.
All I can say is hold on tight brother if things keep going this way the country is gonna be in a world of hurt.
With anything in the world today, way to much ADMIN (which sucks the money from the actual money makers are)
I own my own shop. Also own a couple of trucks that I'm not running at the time. I like what I do but there is no way in hell will I work for someone else. I can't get any employees. People who ask me for a job are dope heads. Currently I work alone and happy with it.
To be a productive mechanic , a person has to be committed. You have to be so many different things and have many skills.
I ran into the same problem with trying to hire guys, they either want $100 an hour or do subpar work, and I would have to go out a redo the work, so it was easier to do it all myself and keep all the money, when I did need a hand like for a engine away I would pay by the job
Classic bean counting. Sure getting rid of older guys looks great in an Excel spreadsheet, but there's lots of valuable experience lost that can be taught to younger people. In addition experienced people are generally more productive.
I totally agree with you Brother, I learned more from older times than any class room
@@danhewitt5109 I'm thinking about getting into a trade. Currently I'm in a dead end office job and not seeing a path forward towards a family wage. I'm trying to find the intersection between what I could learn to be good at, a path to good wages, and something that's in demand. Any suggestions or advice? I'm thinking about making the jump (or starting to) this time next year. Thanks.
Volvo Mack... but enough on that. It's pretty simple. How many Diesel mechanics make it to retirement age before their bodies give out on them? How many actually have retirement money beyond social security? I made enough as a mechanic to live OK, but not much left over for savings. Now I have a desk job that pays a hell of a lot better
I totally agree with you, you work hard all your life for nothing, I know a lot of guys that passed right before retirement or shortly after
Biweekly pay is so your checks are bigger so they can act like they are paying you more than they are
I would agree with you on that, and it's also cheaper for the company on payroll, the company saving money at our expense again
It’s the same in auto body. All of management have zero xp and then they hire their kids.
Been there brother, their kids get away with everything and work you like a dog
your case is not unique, It's across many jobs and trades, lack of loyalty,shit pay,mistreatment, etc. It's in every industry. The funny thing is the older generation rag on the newer generation as being job hoppers who have no loyalty "they dont work to get the job done even if its not part of your job description" "they dont do 2 week notices they just quit"etc. The funny part is the newer generation is playing smarter than the older one they'll multi job they'll no show quit what the hell do they care if it pays better why should they stay? NONE of these companies are your family they dont care about you at all, and they haven't for a LONG time. Companies dont care about experience or work ethic in the long term. These days, they'll fire you for calling in for a funeral. They dont care they'll just get some sucker off the street doing your job for $5 cheaper aslong as he can do at least 60% as you they are fine with it. The only exception to this is small and family owned businesses, but nepotism can ruin those just as easy. This is the motto that every company and business runs now: "Only be loyal yourself." The good old days with the good old boys is dead, and if you dont follow the same motto, you'll be taken advantage of. I can't tell you how many people I've met at jobs who have been there 10-20 years, and they make a dollar more than i did when i just got hired. Just the way the world works now, everything is disposable, including knowledge. There's no 'quiet quitting' problem. Gen z and millennials aren't lazy. it's just that theres no jobs really worth giving your all anymore because you won't be rewarded for it in the long run
I went from making about 25/ brake job to 150/ brake job by working for myself and not Ford.
My son just graduated high school and wants to become a mechanic. I've been researching this industry with him and am blown away with what I'm seeing online, just like your video here. So now the question is, as someone looking to get into this industry, where in the hell do you start? Seems like a total Sh#tshow out there. Happy to take any advice from you OG's in regards to specialties or a general direction to go. Thanks!
My advice would be to stay away, but if he wants to get into this field ask him if he'll be OK with working crappy hours and shifts for at least the first 4 to 10 years depending on where he goes, if he goes to a truck leasing company ( the yellow color trucks) expect to start at a low rate and yearly raises that won't stay up with cost of living, but the do have a great vacation and PTO and decent 401 match
My base pay with no overtime at a major shipping company is $101,600($48.86 per hour) There are companies out there that appreciate techs still. It's not all doom and gloom
@@hisprisoner3780 good to hear Brother, if you get a chance watch my " Answering comment's " video it goes over a lot of that stuff, I have a buddy of mine that's makes over 6 figures but he works a lot of hours, most of us are in that 37 to 65 thousand range and for the work and tools it should be more
@@danhewitt5109 I agree most techs are settling for less than they are worth. I encourage techs all the time to come to my company and they never pull the trigger. I don’t understand it. This is probably the easiest tech job I’ve ever had and it pays higher than any company I’ve found. If you’re not happy and underpaid, staying where you’re at is foolish. You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make him drink.
Look elsewhere. Not worth it beyond fixing your own stuff. No pay . No respect.
you can do other suf asml that makes the machenes that make computer chips that are very complex they hunt for master car mechanics to put maintenance the machines and even build them