Is diesel mechanic a good profession to join? Age 30.....?

Some of us find a way. My wife can tarp a load of used grease covered machinery out of an old plant in a white blouse and miniskirt and not have a spot of dirt on her. Give me a load of brand new clean steel and I'll end up with grease in my freaking ear.

 

Just wait until you get some old gear oil on you. The smell never comes out of your clothes. Don't even bother trying to wash them, just throw them away. I still have that smell in some of my tool box drawers - and I've been retired for over ten years now.

Oh, and it you live/work in the "north" plan on spending more time working outdoors then in, the colder and crappier the weather is. Especially if you get into working on construction equipment.

 

This is a joke right?

 

for throw away/loaner tools the work just fine.

 

For an amateur shade tree mechanic working on his own stuff sure. If ya break a cheap socket it's no big deal to stop wrenching and run to the store to replace it. For a professional that's being billed out at 125 to 238 an hour? It's not acceptable to be using harbor freight tools that are going to break on the first rusted up bolt.

And there is the image issue. It's no different than trucking, you can drive a beat up 93 fld with duct tape holding the fenders on and baling wire holding the headlights in while wearing flip flops and pajamas. But if you want to be viewed as a professional ya might want to use a clean well maintained rig and dress and speak like one.

 

I think he’s referring to his location, and reference to pension funding. He’s in Canada, Meaning its not being funded by any Citizen taxes in the US, Hrs better off anyway, I’ve noticed how Municipalities promise better pensions in lieu of wages, then later, they cut the pensions. Oops sorry We stole too much money, from the tax payers, have to cut your pension. They did it to my brother in law. It’s a wonder they can even find Firefighters, Cops, and Teachers.

 

It's worth it, but to a certain point. Dealers don't pay much, but you will learn a lot more. If you're going to just be a maintenance guy and do oil changes, wheel seals, and tires all day long then i don't think it's worth it because that's just bs work. If you're going to learn diagnostics, electrical issues, major engine repairs then it's worth it because dealers and other shops will value you more and you will get paid more. I worked in the dealers for over 8 years before going off and doing my own thing. I feel like 8 years was enough, but you still learn something new everyday.

 

im the same way, i cant even do as much as look at a truck without getting grease all over me...

 

If you ain't dirty did you really work on it?

 

You guys get the shaft then in the US. Up here dealers pay a lot more in most cases, with pension plans and benefits.