Which to learn? SMAW or FCAW?

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Got a question for some of the more experienced welders.I've got a two-week vacation coming up in July/August, during which I'm planning on taking some welding courses, working towards CWB certification. There's a great welding school not far from where I live. However, I'm stuck on which kind of welding to learn.I primarily use FCAW at my place of work, though my plant has their own internal certification/ticket system - ie, not much use outside. And it's my understanding that even with outside tickets, other welders have been made to go through the same process as novices.I'd want to be prepared in the event of a huge layoff, strike, shut down, etc., and have me some outside welding tickets in the event that I was left with the situation of finding a new job.That being said - I'm torn between which sort of welding to take courses in. Which one would open the most doors for me?I've narrowed it down to both FCAW and SMAW. I've read up on the pros/cons of each - SMAW can be used outdoors (ie, pipelines, oil fields), but with FCAW you're not constantly swapping out sticks, etc.So, veterans - what sort of welding should this newbie welder learn? :P
Reply:Smaw, without a doubt.Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:You get good with SMAW, and learn how to read the puddle. More importantly learn how to anticipate what the puddle is going to do, so you can make corrections on the fly. Learn those two things, then learning how to run flux core will be a walk in the park!Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:One of my acquaintances owns a weld/fab shop - although they do mostly wire feed and tig, he won't hire someone that can't stick weld.Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:I have an all position SMAW ticket with the CWB. Just did my check test last month actually. Good for 2 more years now. I have made a lot of money with this ticket. There has been a few times where an all position flux core ticket would have been handy. But the smaw ticket is the one that puts you to work more often than not. These are structural welding tickets.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:It sounds like Mr.F does not know his arse from a hole in the ground. No shame in that as I don't either.Can I suggest GMAW?
Reply:No. The problem with GMAW is you can only certify in flat position and in some places horizontal for structural. You can not get an all position GMAW ticket. Fluxcore on the other hand you can test for al all position structural ticket.JasonLincoln Idealarc 250 stick/tigThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 52Miller Bobcat 250Torchmate CNC tableThermal Arc Hefty 2Ironworkers Local 720
Reply:Stick welding for sure. If you can do stick mig will be easy. There are times when a mig gun just won't fit and a 1/8'' rod fits nicely.
Reply:SMAW would be my choice.  You already have some qualifications in flux core.  Okay maybe it is not CWB but I am sure you could challenge at least CWB flux core on the flat which is the mainstay of shops welding inside since they have cranes.  SMAW would open doors to site welding.   An all position SMAW  CWB ticket is often the requirement for getting a job welding structural in the field.
Reply:Misterforks....commend you on being willing to spend your vacation in welding school.  If you can pass a flux core CWB, then you should target the smaw CWB.  Going to be some competition from laid off oil workers but those two tickets could get you in one of the shipyards when the naval contracts ramp up.  10 or more years work, close to $40 an hour.
Reply:SMAW for me to. You work in a fab shop with FCAW. I'd assume that your already familiar/proficient with it. Time to familiarize yourself with Stick.