To take a helper job on the pipeline or not?

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Well the title basically explains it all, im about to graduate high school and met a pipeline welder that would like to give me a chance this summer as his helper. my parents aren't exactly too fond of this idea but researching this type of work and asking multiple questions ive determined that the school and pipe welding classes I will soon be attending next fall will just barely scratch the surface. so i guess what im really getting to here is it worth it to quit my current job i work at now, and leave for the pipeline to gain the knowledge and experience? i just want to know what everyone thinks. yes it is MY decision to make but i want some ideas, etc. my parents are worried that if i do this i wont want to go to school. i know welding is a hands on trade and is best learned that way. any opinions will be taken into consideration. thank you.
Reply:I say you're young with plenty of time to change directions so go for it.No better way to determine if it's the life for you or not.  Even better if he's willing to pay you to learn as well.  If you decide you don't like pipelining you can always go to school in the fall as planned and look into one of the other welding trades.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:*** took too long to reply, lol.  i said the same thing as DuaneLast edited by kerf; 05-07-2014 at 02:17 PM.
Reply:I agree with Duane 100% and couldn't have said it better myself. Go for it bud!I hate being bi-polar it's awsomeMy Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Reply:so heres another question, my car (98 crown vic ex cop car) is basically a POS.... I have about $4,000 to my name right now plus that car I bought with my own money last summer for $1800, its got about 150k miles on it and I don't trust it to make it extended trips of over 200 plus miles... the suspension is still factory and has rotted bushing etc... I don't know if I could trust it.
Reply:Having this experience under your belt if/when you decide to take the welding classes will put you ahead of the game compared to most of the rest of the students who may have little to no welding experience before entering the class room. You may end up learning more/faster doing this than you would in a class setting, and not really need to go to a welding school until you need to add other welding processes to your list. Like Duanne said, you got plenty of time to go in another direction if you decide pipelining is not for you. At least you can say you tried it.
Reply:Originally Posted by Houstontxso heres another question, my car (98 crown vic ex cop car) is basically a POS.... I have about $4,000 to my name right now plus that car I bought with my own money last summer for $1800, its got about 150k miles on it and I don't trust it to make it extended trips of over 200 plus miles... the suspension is still factory and has rotted bushing etc... I don't know if I could trust it.
Reply:I have been a welders helper for a month this week, fricken love it, I work in side tho. I knew squat about welding pipe when I started, learned a lot in the first 2 days. If you have a cell phone I wouldn't worry about the car, if you are good as a helper in a few weeks you'll  have enough money to buy something better. You going to travel over the road or commute from home?
Reply:Nooo I know how to do all of that it's just kinda iffy ya know? Do you think it's worth it to put money into it or not? Or try to find a new ride
Reply:Over the road, not entirely sure where we will be working though.... Hopefully not too far and in texas!
Reply:Originally Posted by HoustontxNooo I know how to do all of that it's just kinda iffy ya know? Do you think it's worth it to put money into it or not? Or try to find a new ride
Reply:It runs and drives fine it's just the suspension is 150k miles/16 years old... Transmission doesn't shift too pretty but still shifts fine etc... You know how old cars are.
Reply:Change the fluid and filter in the trans, install new shocks and replace the worn suspension bushings and components. This should get you several more years out of those parts. 150K miles is not really that much for vehicles now a days. I've got two with over 200K that are still doing fine. Sold one last year that was 278K and still doing good, just had a few fluid leaks was all. The first two are '94 and the sold one was a '96. Bought a new 2013 Taco so had to thin the herd some.The fluid and filter change is one of the most overlooked maintenance items that gets the transmission early. Most should be changed at 50 to 60K miles. So if the engine is still pretty strong, take care of the above items and see how it does. While your at it, change the oil in the rear end too. That's another often over looked thing that don't get done. If the brake fluid looks black, flush it and fill with new brake fluid to keep things stopping when you need them to. Not to mention checking the condition of the engine coolant. Summer's coming up and the Texas heat can get to it pretty bad, I'm sure you should know.Last edited by Bistineau; 05-07-2014 at 08:28 PM.
Reply:Sell it and go buy an S10,Ranger, or Tacoma.  You will be way better off than a beat up old cop car, plus you can always use a truck.  Cop cars get driven like their stolen.  Lots of departments the day and night shifts share the same car so the cars never get any down time except when their broken which is quite often at the end of their useful service life. They often run for days/weeks on-end rarely getting shut off.  150k on a ex cop car is like 500k on a regular car.  Their is a reason Departments sell them at 60-100k.  The maintenance to keep them going starts to cost more than a newer one.Last edited by Toggle Switch; 05-07-2014 at 09:20 PM.Miller 211 MIGThermal ARC 186 TIGHypertherm Powermax 30 Plasma
Reply:Originally Posted by BistineauIf your talking about the car, I would say find a sucker, I mean buyer for it, and let them have the headaches. Then go buy a decent truck, you will most likely be needing one to follow the pipeline. Besides, every man needs to have at least one good truck. No telling what you may need to haul sometimes.
Reply:I know this will take all the fun out of it but stay away from the alcohol, women, dope heads, rattlesnakes and fire ants and go giver' heck for a few months. Save every dollar you can while you are out there and show your folks you are a responsible young man. Stay out of trouble. You may get it out of your system or realize it is something you would like to pursue as a career.
Reply:Originally Posted by BistineauI already tried to tell him he needs a truck, but he seems intent on keeping what he has already admitted is a POS. So I was just letting him know what he will need to do to keep the POS running for a little while longer. Maybe it will last long enough to get some pay checks rolling in so he can get a decent truck.
Reply:Yes I agree stay away from stuff that will only bring you down. Stay out of trouble and show everyone including your parents how you made a good decision and manage you money well. Good luck!Miller trailblazer301gLincoln sa200Miller251Miller spectrum 625Victor oxy-acc2002 Chevy duramax 3500 dually 4x4
Reply:Hell yeah go get your *** on the pipeline as a helper. Learn a lot. Stay out of trouble, get yourself a decent older truck and go get some experience, then decide what you want to do after that.Hobart Stickmate LX235AC/160DCRanger 305GVictor 315 O/A rigHope to acquire in the next couple of years: Hypertherm PM45 and Dynasty 200DX
Reply:Id go full size on the truck, 3/4 ton 4wd if you can swing it. Otherwise, control arm bushing are a Saturday afternoon job, may as well look at the ball joints as well. It will likely cost a couple hundred bucks to do it all. Get an alignment afterward. BTW, go for the job. After the summer you may just decide to stay on. You will have learned a lot. After a year or so, you may be ready to go on as a welder. Burn every stick of rod you can in your down time.
Reply:Get as much sleep as you can when you are out there. You young guys tend to forget that you can work without much sleep for a while but it will catch up to you and you will crash hard. Don't want to be late because you will have a hard time living it down.My 21 year old started 7/12's a month ago and he now understands what I was trying to tell him. Now, most nights he come home, eats, showers, and gets in bed.GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:That's what I planned on doing! I really just need the car to last until I can get some paychecks and add to what I have saved up. Trust me your advice is being taken into consideration... I have my prom this weekend so I won't be able to do Any work on it. I'm off tomorrow so I'm going to check all the fluids, etc. the control arms are a little bit out of my leauge... All I've done on my car was replace the water pump, full tune up with motorcraft coils/plugs, oil change, I don't even have a jack stand... (Don't worry it's on my graduation present list) ha. Sorry for the long time to respond by the way, I was at work.
Reply:A problem I have is that I basically have to go to school.... My uncle promised my father he would put me through college. I talked to my uncle a while ago and said don't worry about college, my financial aid should cover that, I'd rather have a rig. He responded "I'll buy you a bad f#^**#% a$& rig if you finish welding school... So you can see the dilemma here.
Reply:Yes, I already love my sleep enough as it is and I cannot stand being late... I won't allow myself to do that. Not only is that embarrassing on my part but also on the welder.
Reply:I've already had my fun in highschool... I can't see myself wasting my hard earned money on alcohol. This weekend is my prom so that will probably be the last time I do some partying. I'm ready to graduate and see what life has for me. College wasn't for me... Not only do I want to show my parents but also everyone who ever doubted me... When you live in a neighborhood full of spoiled brats with $50,000 cars... They tend not to understand welding and make a mockery out of it. I take extreme offense to this as it is something I intend to do until the day I die. It's only a matter of time until some one says the wrong thing and I end up clocking them! Don't make a joke out of welding.Buddy you got spirit!!  Stay on track.  It's OK to go out with the men after work, just do it in moderation.  If you don't, it's a long time till 2 o'clock in the afternoon before your head clears! Best of luck on your decision.  Bob
Reply:Originally Posted by HoustontxA problem I have is that I basically have to go to school.... My uncle promised my father he would put me through college. I talked to my uncle a while ago and said don't worry about college, my financial aid should cover that, I'd rather have a rig. He responded "I'll buy you a bad f#^**#% a$& rig if you finish welding school... So you can see the dilemma here.
Reply:Most employers look for education and experience.  Some focus on one over the other.   But getting good experience is typically harder than education.   I would jump all over it.  And as far as yuppie brats making fun of welding, I've seen alot of welders make some bad a$$ **** worth more than they could ever afford.  And as far as your ride is concerned it's not too hard or expensive to make yours last awhile longer and once you get some real life experience to better understand what you need you'll have the cash to get a sweet rig.Best of luck to you!Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
Reply:the one im attending is one of the best local ones in the houston area. houston community college has one of the top ones. san jacinto is up there too but too far away for me to commute. i would really like to have a helper job in a shop somewhere so i can go to school at night and work during the day! this forum has been a invaluable source of information to me and i love the courtesy of the members. i browse through this forum every hour just reading...
Reply:i plan on doing that at my graduation dinner on june 5th, my whole family will be there so i think im going to get the idea out and see what he says. hopefully its what im looking to hear... because every welder ive talked to said school just barely scratched the surface. theres only so much you can learn in school when in reality welding takes years and years to master.
Reply:hell yeah i do. why do something if you wont put your all into it? that is the exact reason why i said f%$& four year college. i dont want to sit in a classrom and listen... i want to stand and weld. i determined an office job wasnt for me after taking an internship at a gas company after my sophomore year during the summer.
Reply:The thing school showed is that you stuck especially high school. J. R. Bauer
Reply:What were you saying...? Couldn't quite make out that message haha
Reply:Sorry will try again the only thing completing school especially high school shows you didn't quite you stuck with it. J. R. Bauer
Reply:First of all - congrats on the prom and graduation and take it easy on the partying.  We don't want the above to be your last post here.Next, the pipeline is no place for a Crown Vic if you find yourself having to get from your motel room to the jobsite everyday so think long and hard about the suggestions to find yourself a decent used pick-up to replace it.  It doesn't have to be future "rig" material just suitable for navigating the typical terrain of a pipeline jobsite and for the occasional equipment/material hauling.  Yes, a 4x4 would be a definite plus but not 100% necessary.  There are plenty of 2WD trucks on the job out there.It's already been said numerous times but keep your head on straight and keep your nose clean.  Don't worry about what others think or say and focus on making yourself the best guy on the firing line.  The rest will take care of itself.  If you ever think you have to raise your hand to anyone, make it handing them the stinger/MIG gun/TIG torch to ask them if they can show you how it's done.  Be the better man.  (rootbeer)MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:My $.03 worth:1. The only things you will truly regret later in life are the things you didn't do or say.  Yea, there'll be those "oh I shouldn't have done that", but it doesn't compare to "wish I would've when I could've".2. The cheapest car you'll ever own is the one you own right now.  Every car requires maintenance, no matter the age, so learn how to do your own.  And STAY AWAY from payments! That's the devil's tool   So is thinking of a car/truck as a status symbol.  When in doubt, buy AAA.3. No matter how much you despise upper level ed., you've already learned from it.  And along with that, you can learn something from everybody, no matter how stupid you think they are. Keep an open mind.Best of luck in the future Houston.One more thing: nobody ever got fired for showing up early Last edited by dubl_t; 05-08-2014 at 11:58 AM.Lincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:Originally Posted by Houstontxthe one im attending is one of the best local ones in the houston area. houston community college has one of the top ones. san jacinto is up there too but too far away for me to commute. i would really like to have a helper job in a shop somewhere so i can go to school at night and work during the day! this forum has been a invaluable source of information to me and i love the courtesy of the members. i browse through this forum every hour just reading...
Reply:I didn't read page two before posting the above so I'll add this - if your Uncle and/or family have a problem with or question your plans, ask them to read the responses in this thread to see what those that are in the field and have been there have suggested to you about it.  You've given the office route a shot and now want to test the waters in the field as I believe you should.  You seem to have your head on straight and your family should be proud.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:I have talked to the welder about my car situation. He doesn't really mind. He said I can go to wherever his trailer is in the morning and we can ride to job site in his rig, or I can find a hotel and he would pick me up in the morning. We talk almost everyday and he answers most questions/concerns I have. I will start looking at trucks this weekend.
Reply:Originally Posted by duaneb55....Next, the pipeline is no place for a Crown Vic if you find yourself having to get from your motel room to the jobsite everyday so think long and hard about the suggestions to find yourself a decent used pick-up to replace it....
Reply:Thanks for the great information and input. It is much appreciated. Who knows, maybe when I bring up the job offer and the idea to my uncle he will help me out so I can get something reliable.  Actually I think his neighbor has a pretty nice 2005 f150 across the street that just sits there.. So I'll go about that and see what he says. I think he wanted around $7000 for it. If my uncle could help me out a little I would gladly pay him back. In full on whatever he loaned me. I don't want any handouts. Everything feels better when you work for it
Reply:Yes... Please see my reply in did about 10 mins ago. Way ahead of you on hitching rides
Reply:It's taken me a while to get my head on straight but it finally isn't crooked anymore haha. I will not go into depth about it, and my family is very proud of how far I have made it. But this is only the beginning
Reply:Originally Posted by HoustontxIt's taken me a while to get my head on straight but it finally isn't crooked anymore haha. I will not go into depth about it, and my family is very proud of how far I have made it. But this is only the beginning
Reply:Originally Posted by dubl_tDuane,I love ya as a mentor, I respect you as a person, and I'm grateful for your time to help myself and others; but I don't think that statement holds much water If you're a helper, you better be figuring ways and means to hitch rides with your weldor for several reasons: One, hotels in booming areas can average $1-2k/wk. So as a helper you wanna be saving as much as you can.  Two, less of a chance to be late (or at least have a very good excuse for why)
Reply:Ha! I wouldn't mind doing that at all. Camping is fun to me! But do people do that?! Or were you just messing Around? I'll do anything to save my money:
Reply:Duane, I was more so having fun than trying to make a point, but I do appreciate what you do And Houston, yea some do camp. But it gets old real quick. Plus it depends on whether you're on public or private land and what the contractor says. My summer out of hs I camped while working on a crusher for highway work.Sent from my XT907 using TapatalkLincoln SA 200Esab Caddy 160Thermal Arc 201TSMiller Dialarc HFI don't like making plans for the day because then the word "premeditated" gets thrown around the courtroom....
Reply:Oh I'm sure it's been done more than once but I was just messing.  You'd want to stock up on deodorant for sure. MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:Hey, it's all good dubl t.  If we can't have a little fun . . .I would imagine mixing "camping" with "work" doesn't go so good after a while.Last edited by duaneb55; 05-08-2014 at 01:53 PM.MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!
Reply:I'm just looking forward to Houston's post this fall when he tells us he had a blast this summer learning everything he could, is getting read to head off to welding school and he and his uncle have their sights on a rig for him to get started with.And BTW - hat's off to the pipeliner that has stepped up and offered a lending hand! MM200 w/Spoolmatic 1Syncrowave 180SDBobcat 225G Plus - LP/NGMUTT Suitcase WirefeederWC-1S/Spoolmatic 1HF-251D-1PakMaster 100XL '68 Red Face Code #6633 projectStar Jet 21-110Save Second Base!