My first day as an apprentice

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It sucked, and I quit.Thats about the just of it.I got up early, got there with time to spare, got a hardhat & glasses, etc. It was a pretty impressive jobsite, tons of people and lots of activity (atleast three different contractors there), and all we (another weldor from my school, and an hvac student from my school and myself) did was take stuff apart. They are building a new school and re-modeling the old one at the same time, and we got to work in the old building. We took out old heating register covers, then the copper pipes themselves, then the registers themselves, etc. About halfway through the day, I had yet to lay eyes on a welder or hear a word spoken about it. The hvac dude was starting to wonder, so we started talking to some of the other kids there. I met a couple friendly other welding students from about an hour away from here, and they said they'de been here since feburary and had yet to lay a single bead, or do anything welding related. So, I asked my supervisor when we'd get to doing any welding. He chuckled and said "You're not". Thats nice. So, later on, we ran into the guy who "hired" us, and I asked him. I couldnt get a straight answer for anything, just the run-around, etc. And, after talking to a few other people and another boss, it seems theyre little game is that they hire people from the local vocation schools, and we just do the $#!^ work. They usually figure out whats up and some of them get mad and leave, and some just accept it as a low-paying job doing lousy work and stay. The kids who do stay get to miss half of the school year to work on their "apprenticeships" and the company gets cheap labor. Out of the four of us from my school, one never showed up, one (myself) ran off, and the other two are staying, but are pretty p^ssed about it.The company is really hard up for laborers, and buses in people with slightly-darker skin of questionable legality in this country from Cincinnati and they do a lot of other work.About half-way through the day, we had this figured out and I was mad, and disappointed, and decided I wasn't working here. Partly because I could make the same thing flipping burgers in town, a physically easy job with AC (and if im not learning anything, why not?) And partly, alright, mostly, because they lied to us. They looked us in the eye, and straight up lied to us.I absolutely H A T E liars. Its one of few things that I have no patience whatsoever, and despise with a passion. I used to do farm work baling hay and what not around town, but eventually stopped because I was tired of getting ripped off by dishonest farmers, then had the (lying) girlfriend from hell, and later got a sweet deal on a nice little Dakota. "Oh yeah, everythings just fine with it, blaw, blaw, blaw" says the seller, and it caught on fire while I was driving it one day. Turns out the jackwagon that I bought it from had some oil pressure switch on the outside of the engine all cobbled together, and it fell apart (again), and started spewing hot oil everywhere. It eventually lit off the exhaust, and the rest is history.So, back to today.Anyway, I thought about calling this scumbag out and confronting him, until I got to hear him go ape$#!^ on some one/thing in the next room, and decided that was a pretty bad idea. So, at the end of the day, I just hopped in my truck, swore I'd never return, and drove off into the sunset. Its no skin off my @$$, and I couldn't care less what they think. They'll figure it out eventually.Anyway, I guess its time to break out the old stickmate and fire up the good old hobarts once more. Its not that big of a deal really, I turn 18 in a month (july 9), and I know of a place that really wants to hire me then. Plus, it would be enjoyable work, and its 20 mins closer to home. Tomorrow, Im calling the apprenticeship guy at the school and having a nice long talk with him. This company "hired" a few kids at the beginning of this year, and those guys never heard back from them.So, that was my day. Tomorrow,Im heading out to the shop to finish up my BBQ and think of some other stuff to build. Thats my problem, I dont have many ideas. Oh well, I always figure something out.Rant over. So, how the heck are you supposed to find an actual functioning legitimate job out there?? You hear about the shortage of weldors, etc, but Im just not seeing it  [Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:Welcome to what a starting job or apprenticship really is. You're lucky you didn't get sent out to do lunch orders for 25 guys and have to keep all the orders right along with the exact change for each guy. I've yet to meet an "apprentice" who actually did what they were there to "learn". The only exceptions have been guys who already knew the trade and were just going thru the motions. They still get the $hit jobs, but as soon as the guys in charge realise the new guy has a clue, they give him work that fits him better and let some other ignorant schmuck do the grunt work.You are there so the guys who already know what they are doing can concentrate on that. You learn by observing and watching. You get the $hit jobs. You get to play Gofer. You get to clean up messes. They watch you to see how well you follow instructions and take orders. No ones going to give someone with no experience the top jobs regardless of the trade. If you were an operating engineer you'd be holding a shovel in the hot sun and cleaning the ditch, not running the excavator.You've already FAILED. You Quit! Who wants to hire someone who quits just because they don't like the job they got assigned today. Someones got to do the $hit work, and you as low man on the totem pole are it. You need to grow up. Do what they tell you.  Ask what you can do to help. Ask questions when it's not going to bother someone or when you don't understand the instructions you've been given. Find someone who can "mentor" you and stick with them so they get to know you and what you can do. At some point you'll move up and get a lacky to "boss" arround. Then it will be their job to do the $hit work, while you do fit up or tack stuff..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Stick with it my friend. Your turn will come. Bought my own oxy/ acet outfit at 15, teaching myself to braze with dumb**** peterson how-to manual. Modding go carts and minibikes.I started working when I turned 15. Busboy, then dishwasher, then auto parts delivery, then diodes assembler, then gas pumper, then sporting goods clerk, then sporting goods assembler, then sporting goods warehouse picker. That was all before I could vote, but they bought me some good toys until my pop threatened to make me pay rent. Off to school I went. Three college major changes later I finally found welding(I was 18 now). Part time welding backpack frames, sheet metal for hydraulics asemblies, stainless steel airline galley parts, alum signage. All this in one year, making money to keep going to college.Then I got my break. Part time on night shift at commercial sheet metal job shop. Daytime oldtimer got pissed and quit and they offered me his job. YaY, I demanded $6 bucks an hour and started living like a prince. Still could not drink legally tho.Learn from your experience and perservere.
Reply:Originally Posted by LanseIt sucked, and I quit.Thats about the just of it.So, how the heck are you supposed to find an actual functioning legitimate job out there?? You hear about the shortage of weldors, etc, but Im just not seeing it
Reply:Nothing like getting your foot in the door & working your way up, or I guess that's "old fashioned" now. It's my ..... and I want it NOW !!!
Reply:Your 18!  WTF you think your entitled to start right off at the top without paying your dues. Your getting schooled right now BOY. You earn your way up. It's not handed to you. Grow  up little man.Last edited by backpurge; 06-06-2011 at 09:09 PM.
Reply:Uggggg, me thinks I should have worded this better.I signed up to be an APPRENTICE. Someone who LEARNS by SEEING and occasionally by DOING. Just to get this out there, I never had any expectations of making lots of money, or doing the "good" work. I always heard that an apprenticeship is when you go somewhere and learn from the people there. Some of these comments I just don't get, like "Your 18! WTF you think your entitled to start right off at the top without paying your dues". Seriously? Where did that come from?I have no problem with "getting my foot in the door", its just that instead of any of this, I got stuck with some fly-by-night contracting company paying basically minimum wage to an "apprentice" to do demo work, with no possibility of doing anything welding related while he is there. And then when school starts up? Hah, Ill sit in class and flirt with the girls before I play sawzall-wielding-madman taking apart heating junk when I should be at least NEAR or DOING something even remotely related to what I showed up to do. I expected to do lots of grinding, lots of cleaning welds, plenty of the hold-this-while-i-tack-it thing, and being the gopher for everyone. I really take offense to some of this. Yall think I "want it now", and am trying to not work my way up, etc, etc. When think about it. Why the **** would I take an apprenticeship program if that was my mindset. Come on now people. I was just mad because this "apprenticeship" is a J O K E. My bad, I guess I should just do completely unrelated work for some company that takes advantage of the cheap labor and teaches nothing. Ill keep that in mind.[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:Sorry I had to take a call. If you started working for me, you start off hauling materials, dragging out demo materials to the dumpster, fetching tools, running out for lunch, cleaning up and putting tools away and so on. If you showed you could follow instructions and worked hard, you get to do simple demo work, cut basic pieces to length, maybe run out to pick up materials I'd already ordered, and simple things like this. I wouldn't have you doing framing or trim work for quite a while. In a smaller company like mine you'd have more opertunities to do stuff sooner, but with the attitude you are showing, you probably wouldn't last long, and chances are you wouldn't get to do anything complicated. In a bigger company, chances are you'd stay doing $hit work longer, as they probably have plenty of middle guys who can step in and fill spots as needed for short periods.The guy working with me today is a good example. He's got some skills, but he's lacking in many areas and is learning. I had to go spend time talking to the home owner about changes she wanted to make in what we are doing for her. He had "nothing" to do, so he went up to the barn where we are working and started cleaning up stuff that needed to be done with out instructions. Putting away tools, sweeping the floor, straightening up materials so they aren't in our way later and so on. He saw a job that needed to be done and jumped on it. He didn't wait to be told what to do after sitting on his azz for 45 minutes, sit their chatting to his GF waiting for me or come interupt me and the client over a minor issue. It wasn't beneath him do do stuff like this, it's all part of the job.  He gets more hours because I can trust him not to F off if I'm not standing there watching him. He doesn't have the skills however for me to leave him alone with many jobs however. I either need to spend extra time so he can try it, or do the job faster myself. Often I can't afford to waste the time and he's F'd up a few things that cost me money because I THOUGH he was capable of doing the work, but was wrong..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:Congratulations, you just made a bad name for yourself to that contractor and probably anyone else in the trade in your area.
Reply:Yeah, I know, you start off doing ____________. Again, this is everything that I expected. But you EVENTUALLY move up. At this place, you dont. You stay there for months and do absolutely nothing even welding related. Its a racket, they just want cheap labor, and they misuse the program to get it.[Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:Originally Posted by larpheadCongratulations, you just made a bad name for yourself to that contractor and probably anyone else in the trade in your area.
Reply:X2 to everything that DSW said.The less entitled that you feel, the more that you will learn..Buy American, or don't whine when you end up on the bread line.
Reply:Dude think about it, you left a job based on one day and the experience of other school kids.
Reply:My take.you just described how I feel about my job (actually my last three jobs over the last 10 years).Would I like to walk off the job? at least twice a week. Do I walk off? no. I've got kids to feed, a wife to support, and houses to pay for. Do i feel like I'm being taken advantage off at work? everyone I know does at some point or another. The trick is, do you stick it out, or leave.You'll get over this in time.  I say, better to walk off a job when your 17 than when your 30 with a family.  BTW, I once quit a job when I was 17 so I could go on vacation with my family. did it make me a quitter, yes, at the time. Am I the same guy now? no. Things will get better, just give it time. From what I've seen of your posts, you're not a bad kid. just look at your expectations a little more realistically. Like I tell my wife everyday, the key to happiness is low expectations.
Reply:Originally Posted by LanseYeah, I know, you start off doing ____________. Again, this is everything that I expected. But you EVENTUALLY move up. At this place, you dont. You stay there for months and do absolutely nothing even welding related. Its a racket, they just want cheap labor, and they misuse the program to get it.
Reply:Apprenticeship? For what?  For Who?  Sounds to me like an underhanded company taking advantage of underage kids.  However, I do agree with the others.  YOU QUIT!  YOU FAILED!  Apparently, you didn't do your homework as regards the details of your so called "Apprenticeship".  I am a graduate Boilermaker apprentice and what you experienced is pretty much typical of what ANY first day apprentice would go through in any trade.  It'll take a few days for you to make GF!  Seriously interested in a REAL apprenticeship?  Check out the web sites for the Boilermakers, Pipe Fitters, Iron Workers, Operating Engineers, Electricians, etc,etc..  Many good opportunities available if you learn some humility and perseverance.  Lose the chip on your shoulder, open your ears, learn when to keep quite and when to ask questions, study hard and work even harder and you might just have a chance at becoming an excellent journeyman at your chosen profession.  Good luck, Bob."The man of great wealth owes a peculiar obligation to the State, because he derives special advantages from the mere existence of government."  Teddy RooseveltAmerican by birth, Union by choice!  Boilermakers # 60America is a Union.
Reply:The original poster says nothing about his Apprenticeship Indenture, I am assuming there was no contract.  No contract for an apprenticeship means there is no comitment to train "the apprentice".I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:Originally Posted by LanseIt was a pretty impressive jobsite, tons of people and lots of activity (atleast three different contractors there)... I had yet to lay eyes on a welder or hear a word spoken about it.... we started talking to some of the other kids there... or do anything welding related...  it seems theyre little game is that they hire people from the local vocation schools, and we just do the $#!^ work... The kids who do stay get to miss half of the school year to work on their "apprenticeships"... decided I wasn't working here. Partly because I could make the same thing flipping burgers...I turn 18 in a month (july 9), and I know of a place that really wants to hire me then. Plus, it would be enjoyable work, and its 20 mins closer to home.
Reply:So what did you expect on your first day?It got you in the door did it not?What can you tell us about welding?Rods, prep, amperages, alloys etc, got it down good do you.I think kids these days have it to easy and want instant gratification.I remenber my first day long before I became an apprentice and then a journeyman, and I was sweeping floors for the first three months.Once you have your ticket they can kiss your axx.Go back and ask for your job, then you will not be a failure, you still have bills to pay.Or go to a school that has a placement package as part of their training to get you in the door and establish some contacts.best
Reply:Interesting story, but if you worked for me I would have sent you home when you complained on your first day about doing the dirty work. If after a few weeks of keeping your head down and working your tail off it got you nothing then possibly you have a legit complaint but your first day, SPARE ME!!!!Whining and bitching on your first day does big time show the "entitlement" thing so many people have now and it is an attitude I would not put up with.I have been real lucky, have seen very little of that attitude from any employee full or part time.
Reply:well here's my start,,  started at a cummins repair shop. first six months in the TOOL roomsorting nuts and bolts for the engine rebuild shop. and handing out company owned toolsthen 3 months later got to move to the rebuild shop ,after 30 days training got to go out on the floorworking on the big rigs 2 years later moved, on to a heavy equipment repair place. there i got to do it all plus working in the fab shop on slow shop days.after a year there went to catapiler shop had to start all over on the wash rack yep at the bottom ... but after a few years i was able to go out on my own an 20 yrs later i'm  working for me selfdon't give up   you got to take it all in strideunless you got a silver spoon in your mouthidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:I started at an automotive machine shop and engine rebuilder in Anchorage, Alaska.   The first two days I was loading scrap iron ( cylinder heads, cranshafts, flywheels, etc.) by hand into a truck and trailer, and cleaning up the back yard with a rake and shovel.Two and a half years later; the owner appointed me manager when he went away for a week.Last edited by nadogail; 06-07-2011 at 11:06 AM.I offer three choices: Good, Fast, & Cheap. You may pick two.Hobart AC/DC StikMate LXHarbor Freight AD HoodHarbor Freight Industrial Chop SawDeVilbis 20 Gallon, 5 HP Compressor
Reply:typical punk kid who thinks they are entitle to sit at the same table as the tradesman just because he has a butt to sit on.  My first year as an apprentice was pure hell.  Most of the hands quit just like you.  If they are working today they are hacks trying to get by like Ed.If you want to work as a tradesman, you need to learn to shut up and do your job reguardless of what it is and be thankful you don't have to hand dip the johnnie, which you just might have to do one day.Now if you want to be a tradesman, go back and grovel for your job back and then do it.Lesson 1.  Learn to follow directions.Lesson 2.  Learn to do work as directed.Lesson 3.  Do a great job on every job.Lesson 4.  Don't take shortcutsLesson 5.  Be willing to do the difficult job and not just the easy stuffLesson 6.  Don't buy your own press/hypeLesson 7.  You aren't hired to make shade....Pick up/sweep up/clean up/straighten up....I hate working with a slobLesson 8.  Don't be a slobLesson 9.  Learn in everything you do.Lesson 10.  Be willing to do what it takes to get the job done.All of these and more go for a broom hand, slag hand, weldor, super, etc.  You didn't learn the rules.  They were teaching you them and you didn't follow them.
Reply:Just remember Lanse, opinions are like azz holes, everybody's got one!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:I work for myself now, but when I was 18 my first day as an Ironworker apprentice was $hit, the second day was $hit, the third day was $hit, etc........ get the picture. I stuck with it and learned a trade. Some days I still do jobs you would walk off of. Why, because it needs to be done, and if I don't do it I dont get paid.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."I definitely agree with the OP in some aspects.  I in no way would keep an apprenticeship if i KNEW that I wouldn't ever be doing anything in my field.  I would talk to the boss before I left though.  Who knows if those kids just wanted less competition.I am a mechanical engineering student (i like the desk job aspect of it more..like math and drawings).  I work for a radiator factory atm and I work in testing them for about 10 hours a week while I'm in school.  I just recently started to look into welding so I would be able to take projects from point "a" all the way to point "z".  My boss said that if i worked around 30 hours a week for a few weeks painting a massive room which is around 130-140*F near the ceiling that I would get some training from our best welder.  Do I like this job? nope.  Do I like what it is going to lead to? Definitely.  I am sticking with it because it will lead me to something good.  I am one semester from my associates degree yet I am still doing the jobs that nobody else wants to do because they will lead me to better jobs.  I also agree with you that I would never work for a company like the one that you described.  Just because I am young doesn't mean that I am stupid enough to be taken advantage of.  I also don't have much for bills so I don't NEED to work much.  I am definitely willing to work in my field and learn things in my field but I wouldn't take on physical labor by choice just because they would put something nice on my resumé.  I want to LEARN not be given a line on my resumé. This is why I agree with you.Hobart Handler 140 mig (started welding 6/5/11)I love math and have up to calc III and differential equations experience.  Feel free to ask me math or physics related questions.
Reply:While this is on my mind.  don't take your cell phone.  The last guy I worked with would hide out in the john and talk on his phone with god knows who and then he would spend all day texting.  the company had a phone policy but kids today don't care bout that.  The first chance I had I smashed it.  bye bye stupid phone.  who could he tell?  "uh boss, that ole meany busted my phone and hurt my feelings.  I know it was against the company policy to talk and text on the phone, but I miss my mommy.  I also don't have anyone to talk to when I am in the port o let."  I hate phones on the job.If it is a business phone and part of your job then that is one thing.  most of these kids haven't made it that far up.  they are above their pay grade by pushing a broom.
Reply:Originally Posted by LanseIt sucked, and I quit.
Reply:Join the Army/Navy/Marines to learn some team skills. (The USAF has a LONG waiting list for good reason.)That, and they are much better careers. Retiring in your late thirties if you enlist now is an unbeatable deal, and with the current wars petering out the next couple of decades should be decent.
Reply:One of the best ways to learn how things are put together is by taking them apart. You were learning how ductwork was assembled, piping was run, etc., and given the opportunity to show the boss your work ethic. That's the way apprenticeship works, you learn from the ground up.
Reply:lol.I'm curious as to what union, and what local he is apprenticing out of.Whatever the situation, quitting on the first day...  mens agitat molem
Reply:I have learned that sometimes the best reference you can have on you resume is six months working for a really crappy employer who abuses his employees.  I always leave on good terms.  I am constantly looking for a better job, networking with other welders and fabricators and checking the want ads.  Several times I have been in a foreman's office and he is looking over my resume when he makes a comment asking how I managed to work for some crappy outfit and put up with it for so long.  Just smile, do the crap as requested to the best of my ability and continue looking for a better job.  When you find it you give notice and quit with a great deal of sadness and regret at having to leave... ha ha .
Reply:Originally Posted by LanseYeah, I know, you start off doing ____________. Again, this is everything that I expected. But you EVENTUALLY move up. At this place, you dont. You stay there for months and do absolutely nothing even welding related. Its a racket, they just want cheap labor, and they misuse the program to get it.
Reply:Originally Posted by Scott YoungWhile this is on my mind.  don't take your cell phone.  The last guy I worked with would hide out in the john and talk on his phone with god knows who and then he would spend all day texting.  the company had a phone policy but kids today don't care bout that.  The first chance I had I smashed it.  bye bye stupid phone.  who could he tell?  "uh boss, that ole meany busted my phone and hurt my feelings.  I know it was against the company policy to talk and text on the phone, but I miss my mommy.  I also don't have anyone to talk to when I am in the port o let."  I hate phones on the job.If it is a business phone and part of your job then that is one thing.  most of these kids haven't made it that far up.  they are above their pay grade by pushing a broom.
Reply:I employ a bunch of people, 4 shifts of 30 each = approx 120. Many of the younger people seem to need to have a cell phone in their hand. Phones are not allowed inside the worksite (a prison). When they are caught they get terminated. Easy as that. I did read a study that indicates the drama that comes thru the pnone and and need to respond to the input from the cell phone is connected to some of the bad behavior that we see from the youngsters and others addicted to the cell phone. Lack of impulse control!!! Gotta respond!!! Can't wait!!! How can you make sound decision about anything when you don't have the patience to stop, think & plan. I hate those phones. How can any employee be productive when they only have 1 hand and aren't thinking about their immediate task?
Reply:What ever happened to just being happy to have a job. There are millions of people that would love to be in your shoes and be able to find employment. All of us do things we don't like at work. I hate grinding but it is part of the job. I think this will be a valuable lesson to you. Next time give it a few months and then make a decision on whether you should quit or not. Doing anything on impulse is rarely the correct thing to do..
Reply:Originally Posted by TozziWeldingI work for myself now, but when I was 18 my first day as an Ironworker apprentice was $hit, the second day was $hit, the third day was $hit, etc........ get the picture. I stuck with it and learned a trade. Some days I still do jobs you would walk off of. Why, because it needs to be done, and if I don't do it I dont get paid.
Reply:Originally Posted by LanseSo, how the heck are you supposed to find an actual functioning legitimate job out there?? You hear about the shortage of weldors, etc, but Im just not seeing it
Reply:Originally Posted by Scott YoungWhile this is on my mind.  don't take your cell phone.  The last guy I worked with would hide out in the john and talk on his phone with god knows who and then he would spend all day texting.  the company had a phone policy but kids today don't care bout that.  The first chance I had I smashed it.  bye bye stupid phone.  who could he tell?  "uh boss, that ole meany busted my phone and hurt my feelings.  I know it was against the company policy to talk and text on the phone, but I miss my mommy.  I also don't have anyone to talk to when I am in the port o let."  I hate phones on the job.If it is a business phone and part of your job then that is one thing.  most of these kids haven't made it that far up.  they are above their pay grade by pushing a broom.
Reply:Originally Posted by ncfhlol.I'm curious as to what union, and what local he is apprenticing out of.Whatever the situation, quitting on the first day...
Reply:The bright side is that actual work chases off the lightweights.
Reply:Well I guess I went to the school of hard labor too like most did. see my Dad died when I was 2 months old and he and his brothers built houses and I grew up looking at them, all around my house. I heard so many good thing on what CRAFTSMAN'S the brothers were, I wanted to follow in their foot steps. Went to tech school and learned how to lay brick and block. I cought on fast and like you went out on the job half day and school in the afternoon. What did I do? Mix mud, hod brick, build scafolding, picked up trash smoke buts, AND RAN FOR LUNCH! I did this for 2 years, all the time looking for a motar board to work off of. I didnt like it much so I did something better, I learned how to run the heavy equipment. How did I do that, gave up 6 yrs of my life to the Seabee's. What did I do at the begining, grease, and clean tracks........... ERRRRRRRRRRRRThen as I moved up and learned more, i got more stick time. After the navy, I worked in a quarry started at the bottom. Then went to the coal mines and really cought a break, and I havent been with out a job moving dirt or moving equipment down the road ever since. Son you gotta pay the dues. You may not like this company, and quit. But when you go to the next, you still be looking for that first rung of the ladder. Ill bet for the first year you wont even see that rung! You need to LEARN the skill. While you were taking out that pipe, did you notice anything? Was it welded right? How did they do it back then? How do they do it now? What improvments have been made to the material that was used. Man you got to learn the ins and outs before someone turns you loose. What happens if you think your doing something right, and you do it wrong, and hurt some one or your self. How big of a man are you then? Find you a differant company get in and grab a handle, and hang on! Oh and dont forget, Ill bet you know more about welding than I do, see Ive only been doing it for about a year, and Im learning from all of these guys. Also every free min I get at wrk, Im hanging out in the fab shop picking up scraps to stick togeather and LEARN SOMETHING, I aint too old to learn! DSWYou buyin? Ill fly, but got to warn ya Im fat and like to eat! LOL
Reply:Guys like the original poster keep guys like me well paid.
Reply:one thing that has not been looked into are the child labor laws (yes i said Child under 18)is that a lot of states won't let any one under 18 climb ladders, run equipment ,or in this case use welders, and other things till you turn 18 years of ageidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:I understand what the OP is saying, being as how he isn't even 18 yet.  You want to get out there and immediately do what the top guys are doing.  But people that have done this for a few years understand that you have to start at the bottom, cause the guys at the top started there too.  And the guy after you will start at the bottom.
Reply:The OP complained about being "LIED" to.  Sounds to me like Lance is a fairly square kid.  Well spoken, written and can converse fluently to get his point across.  If a company wants to advertise welding apprentice then make him do labor for, with or around welding.  That does not seem to be the case.  Maybe I read it incorrect.  Don't think it was UNION apprenticeship either.Good job standing up for yourself.  Takes more courage to be a leader than follower.  I have only been welding for technically 1.5 yrs now.  Have truck, vantage 300, miller 252 combo, and dynasty 200.  Been to PA for rig work and welding on my own here in AK.  If I had listened to all the veterans on here I would be sweeping floors and paying my dues because of lack of experience.  Tell you what though.. give me a guy who can weld  after 1 yr of tech school or one with 5 yrs experience who can't pass a visual.  I wonder what some people consider experience.  Not everyone is created equal and lots of variables.Most of the guys that I was welding around would barely pass a visual test, but yes they passed the "How many years of experience test".  Who know what they have been doing for those years.Obviously there are some very knowledgeable and talented welders/fabricators on here with tons of experience.  I don't know much as far as the scope of welding/fabricating, but the easy way around that is to not "LIE" and let your work speak for itself.  My 1.5 yrs experience looks better than lots of guys with 5+ yrs of hard knocks who don't have a clue of why they do what they do other than that is what they where told to do 5 yrs ago.Keep your head up, listen, think, work hard and charge on.
Reply:Originally Posted by akpolarisI employ a bunch of people, 4 shifts of 30 each = approx 120.  Many of the younger people seem to need to have a cell phone in their hand.  Phones are not allowed inside the worksite (a prison).  When they are caught they get terminated.  Easy as that.  I did read a study that indicates the drama that comes thru the pnone and and need to respond to the input from the cell phone is connected to some of the bad behavior that we see from the youngsters and others addicted to the cell phone.  Lack of impulse control!!!   Gotta respond!!!  Can't wait!!!  How can you make sound decision about anything when you don't have the patience to stop, think & plan.  I hate those phones.  How can any employee be productive when they only have 1 hand and aren't thinking about their immediate task?Just my rant
Reply:Southpaw, what about when they are using their lap top, I see them all the time from high up in the seat when they pass me.
Reply:Whoa wait a minute, cops are clearly superhuman guys. They can drive and use a  cellphone safely unlike us normal citizens, but wait- they can drive, use a cell phone, and patrol for crime all at the same time. they are truly super humans worthy of our study and worship.
Reply:Originally Posted by citizen smithWhoa wait a minute, cops are clearly superhuman guys. They can drive and use a  cellphone safely unlike us normal citizens, but wait- they can drive, use a cell phone, and patrol for crime all at the same time. they are truly super humans worthy of our study and worship.