Welding Dilemma

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I'm faced with a few decisions as far as my welding career goes. **Go get something to eat or drink at this point, this is kind of long**I've gotten my first welding job and I've been there for  eight months. The pay isn't the best but it's steady work and having a paycheck every week is pretty nice. However there is rumors that we will be closing down within five years. The company was bought out by a competitor years ago but we always were our own company. Recently however there have been attempts to unite us under their name and make us all one company. There have been rumors amongst all of the employee's that they're going to shut us down within five years. Some have said we would get the option to transfer to the other plant which is a forty-five minute drive from where I live. Others have said they'd just close the door and we'd be out on our butts. Now I know it's all rumors at the moment but I've heard the same thing coming from the foreman. I'm on his good side and he likes me a lot because I always produce and I'm there on time everyday. He told me we'd more then likely end up closed down within five years. They make less money at the other then what we do here because the cost of living is lower there. If we close down before I'm at top rate I'll get capped at their top rate and not the top rate of where I'm currently at. Where as if I'm at top rate where I am now I'll be getting paid more then most of their employees.There is some issues with the company I'm at that I disapprove of such as certain people getting away with doing absolutely nothing while others get hassled all the time (I do know that happens everywhere) and they're the ones always on time and always producing the work. Not to mention some issues I have with the maintenance department as well various other issues. The reason I'm staying there and I will be for a while is to pick up experience as most factories around here want at least three years experience. I was lucky to get this job, especially with no experience and being just out of high school not that long ago.Well, there's a few other places in this city that I could see myself working. However one place is also rumored to be shutting down as the company is opening up a new plant in the United States and with the Canadian dollar the way it is, I can see it happening. However this places uses flux core and where I'm at uses mig. The advantage to going to this place is that they send their employees to a local welding school to learn flux core and the school gives them a little certificate which would also look good on a resume. However for years there has been horror stories about the place as far as safety is concerned. There's a third place is where I'd really like to work. However I know I don't have enough experience to get a job there. At least not yet. They weld both mig and flux core, so going to this other place (in the previous paragraph) would be beneficial in that sense. It would provide me schooling and experience in flux core added to my current experience in mig. I think it would look really good on a resume when applying to this third place. Here's the dilemma. Where I work know is steady work and no layoffs, but the other two places have layoffs. Do I wait it out and see which way the company I'm currently at goes? If they offer us the option to transfer to the other plant to I make a 45 minute drive into work every morning or stay in the city I live in and work? Do I leave for the second place for more money per hour deal with the layoffs and then apply to the third place? Do I even bother applying to the third place? Or do I seek out some other small place for less pay then both of the bigger places and get a steady paycheck? I'm not lazy, I know if I got laid off I wouldn't be sitting on my couch all day. I'd be out trying to get another job anywhere to hold me over until they call me back. The thing is though, a lot of welding companies here know that that's what a lot of welders do and when they see those names on your resume they won't even look at you because they know you'll be leaving when they come calling for you. Which means I might have to take a job doing something else for a lot less money (ie, grocery store or something just to get a paycheck).As you can see I'm kind of stuck as to what to do and I'm looking for some advice. My father worked at the second place and he hated it, but he said he knows I'd like it there. My grandfather worked at the third place and loved it and told me I'd love it there. I think I'll like both of those places but again is it worth it to deal with the layoffs or stay where I am for less pay per hour but have a steady paycheck? I hope to be moving out on my own in the near future (at least within the next three years to five years...I'm still kind of young) so that's also something to consider, can I afford mortgage or rent payments when I'm laid off?If you read all that then I'd like to thank you for taking the time to read it, and even more thanks to those who reply.
Reply:Do your best work, keep a positive attitude, learn as much as you can, enjoy the ride for however long it lasts, or untill you've experienced all that you want to there, and worry about where you will work next when that time comes.   You are young, dont have a family to support so don't get all worked up about something that may or may not happen, sometime in the distant future.  In every company there's injustices, rumors, bad decisions, and on and on.   Don't focus on that.   Be the best that YOU can be, don't be 'company man', always be yourself, the future will bring what it brings, be willing to roll and change with it.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Desertrider is right. At your age I got out of welding for good pay, good insurance, chance to advance, great company, never had a layoff, etc. Eighteen months later I was laid off hunting a job. Took another 20 years and had finally got that great job again only welding this time. Great pay, great retirement, great insurance, chance to advance and only one problem. The paychecks said Enron on them. Went from an international powerhouse to nothing in a matter of weeks and we all went hunting a new job. You are too young to be stressing this much over it. Try renting for awhile until you are more established.The difference between art and craft is the quality of the workmanship. I am an artist.
Reply:there you have it ChuckASME Pressure Vessel welder
Reply:A change is an improvement... Finding a new job will lead to new opportunity...Unit in my fab shop dept:my good hand and team that trust me...A lone welder make art... a village full of welder make Miracles...
Reply:Perhaps you should go to someone more high up in the company and ask about the rumors... it doesn't do much for anyone to have their "water bottle gossip" daily and it doesn't really have much value to it. Find out what is really going on from someone who really knows. Then from there I say ride the experience train for as long as it will take you, and continue to build your resume for good measure just in case. Always keep an eye out for a better job opportunity. Even I do that and I have a GREAT job. But i'm always prepared for the worse.Certified Welding Inspector at your service...Level II Nuclear Welding InspectorLevel II Nuclear Electrical InspectorLevel II Nuclear Civil InspectorLevel II Ultrasonic Thickness Testing TechnicianCertified Smartass,and Wise Acre
Reply:I lost 2 good jobs in a little over 2 years due to plant closing/contract cancelations. Both employers were expanding when I hired on. My experience has been that when the end is near they try to keep talk to a minimum and quitely reduce the workforce to under 200 people so they won't be forced to comply with the federal plant closing act. At your stage of the game get all of the experience that you can while the work is still steady. This will give you the most options when and if anything happens. Keep an eye open for a job upgrade but don't take a step sideways unless your current ends.
Reply:Thanks guys for the quick replies. You've given me some things to consider and think about. I'll more then likely stay where I am either until it closes or until things become unbearable before moving. That way like it was said, I'll get the most experience while I can. I'd still appreciate if anyone else has any input I'd like to get the most opinions on this.