any mechanics work at dealerships?

Same ole same ole every day! Boring, but if you like that sort of repetition then it's a good job to have.

 

I just get sick of the same brand over and over, and I would rather work on the whole truck. I'm also no longer a fan of engine oil running out of my arm pits or coolant covering me. There are times you are unable to avoid it...RUSH RUSH RUSH! Oh and don't forget, Cummins has those warranty times you'll have to meet if you're working for a dealer.

 

I have friend that works at Cummins Power South in Orlando. I would love to get on with them. Pay is above average, lots of benefits, and for him it isn't same old work each day. Yes, you will work on a lot of engines, but they range from small gen units to large 10 cyl ship engines. There are times where you'll work on the truck as well.

He makes close to $75k a year which is good for here since avg pay is $35k due to lower cost of living. California will probably be double that.

The bad is all the warranty book times. Most repairs are warranty so you'll need to beat those times because most dealers are flat rate. The last dealer I was at, I averaged 55 hrs paid, but worked just under 40. Then again, I did a lot of brake, a/c, anf electrical work. My buddy can do a ISX in frame in just under ,3 days which pays 60 hrs book time. He tells me some Weeks he can do two engine rebuilds, some are one engine rebuild and 5 PMS at Port Canaveral on the ships (paid mileage, hourly to drive company service truck to and from plus hotel, meals if he stays the night which is about once a month to get a break from home). I've been trying to get on, but hard to do out here because every tech in the area is also waiting im line. Ringpower Cat is same way.

It could be different with So Cal Cummins, but here there are growth options from truck only work to ship work to being a trainer. There is growth instead of idling as a tech your entire career. That is a benefit in dealership over fleet because some fleet work, you feel like you can never move up. Retail is fasr paced compared to fleet as well. That will take some small adjusting, but when you see you can control how much money you make, you'll motivate yourself to work more, do it efficiently, and challenge yourself to beat your times each time. Just don't get in the habit of cutting corners or that job will come back and you'll rework it for free...

 

Bender is right there are alot of rush rush jobs to do. Ive never worked for cummins or cat and im sure it may be worse but at the kenworth dealership it is still kinda like that. The only diff is you do get to work on the whole truck eventually. It is a good learning experience but if you like that kind of work give a try and when you get burned out you can go somewhere else lol. The benifits and insurance 401K and all of that are a great thing and if you like what your doing I think it would be a great thing to try anyway.

 

Whatever you decide to do, my advice is to not quit your current job, but only ask for a leave of absence. That way if things don't work out you haven't possibly burnt your bridge. Hopefully your employer would allow that and you could return if needed. Good luck!