Is it better to become a diesel mechanic or trucker these days?

Am I getting my ripped off?

Here is a good example of why neither is a good choice anymore. Drivers think everything is too expensive and if you make a profit as a mechanic or tech then everyone thinks you ripped them off somehow.

If I were given the chance to start over, I would pick robotics tech, millwright or electrician.

 

Mechanic certainly pays more since its a trade and requires much more than a 6 week course.

 

I was just thinking that .
Not many immigrants take a Six week class and get hired as a heavy equipment or diesel mechanic .
Takes two or three years of class for that .

 

100% agree! Would of went machinist myself.

 

If they can get it done cheaper elsewhere I say go for it. In my experience 9 times out of 10 they come back when the cheaper shop butchered the job.

 

This side of the border it takes a 4 year/6000 hours apprenticeship to become a Journeyman. 32 weeks of schooling as well during the 4 years. Four 8 week blocks of schooling.

 

Come next Feb I’m going welding. 8 months left before I leave this industry. Wife’s getting her Masters in Accounting, as well as Her CPA and the im done. I can now concentrate on learning a trade that will always be needed, no ups and downs and Quality of work matters comes first. Way better.


Trade my truck in for a welding truck and work for my future.

 

Do yourself a favour an invest in a good filtration system or an Adflo unit. That welding smoke is toxic as hell. I just started apprenticing under a welder and I invested in a half mask with P100 cartridge filters. Mask is only about $50. I rarely smell the smoke even if my head is right in the plume.

Right now I don't weld enough to spend a couple thousand on an Adflo system but wouldn't hesitate to if I were welding 40 hours a week.

 

Gotta find the career that’s a good for for you .

my nephew was a certified welder and was very very good doing aluminum .

he quit welding to drive for a heavy haul outfit .
He loves doing the oversize and overweight loads .

after ten years of trucking i sold my rig and got hired as a Maint supervisor at a hospital .
Just wanted to do something different . and wow, that was different !

 

My sister has a masters in mathematics and is in accounting . In a specialized niche , called property accounting . and it’s a good paying gig .
At least it is at the company she works for .