Thinking about going to diesel tech school . . .

Pros:
-Great money after you get a couple years in.
-Home every night.
-Overtime should be paid.
-Bigger shops/dealer chains typically offer perks like training and benefits.
-Physical labour (helps keep you in shape).
-Shop work is indoors but if you're good and like being outdoors you can try and get into a service truck.


Cons:
-Dirty job.
-Everything was supposed to be fixed yesterday.
-Tools are expensive. If you plan on being in the trade for a while, expect to invest $15-$25k in decent tools (I'm not talking about selling your soul to the Snap-On dealer either with those numbers).
-Truck drivers are whiny (equipment operators are just as whiny).
-Technology is always evolving. The basics and theory never change but you need to constantly study up on all the new tech coming out.



Personally I love wrenching. I've done about 50/50 shop and field work. The best mechanics are ones who are passionate about their work. If you love tinkering with cars, bikes, lawnmowers etc you'll love wrenching.

 

That right there is some good advice.

Amodelcat and the other folks gave you.

Going to school, learning the trade anyway you look at it, is a good investment into yourself and your future. As others said...you decide you don't like the shop life, you can hit the road, an use your knowledge there while driving. Don't like driving, or don't want to anymore...you got a preset exit plan. An despite what a lot of people will say...Mechanics will be around for a long while. In one form or another. Either working on old stuff people don't want to get rid of, or working on the new stuff that comes out.

Not to mention all the other avenues open to you know for knowing how to wrench/fix things. Not just trucks an cars, rvs, boats, farm machines, other machines, etc etc etc. Lots of options, always a good thing.

One thing I've learned in life...learning never stops. When you think you know it all, that's when you find out you don't.

Good luck to ya.

Sirscrapntruckalot - A mechanic is like someone who owns a pickup truck....you'll suddenly have a lot of "best" friends.

 

Woohoo this is my first post! Ok I have done both. I started as an apprentice right out of high school in 2001 and left the trade as a licenced tech, to go driving in 2010. I drive tow truck which is kinda a cross between both vocations. When I left wrenching I was making $27/hr and just recently surpassed that after 8 years of #### pay driving. If I stayed in the trade I would be making $35+ now (Canada). I was a good tech, and good with electrical, but I am far too stupid now to go back as I have missed several generations of emissions crap, but I really didn't like that job anyway. My favorite part was road testing trucks. That's what made me decide to drive.

 

I would say go for it as well. I have been a heavy duty and commercial transport mechanic since 1980 and have never been out of work. The rate for a mechanic here in B.C. is over $40.00 an hour.
I don't think you can go wrong.

 

I say its a great idea too.. maybe start out studying some books on diesel repair and related topics...my only thought is how do you plan on applying learned knowledge? Will you use it to earn your money back?
I drive but am also on the fence about automotive and or diesel school.

 

i say go for it.especially if you plan on having fleet further down the road.being able to work on your own equipment will save you good amount of money & time.
i am also thinking to become aviation tech.just doing my research now.its tough decision lol.