Want To Get Into A Trade..

Brian25

Hey guys, I know this forum is for professionals only, but I really wanted to ask you guys a question. I live in Southern California, and I've been thinking about getting into the carpenters union for awhile now.. I know there are different fields, and I'm not sure exactly what it is I want to do yet. I just know that I'm working a boring, low paying job right now, and I want something that can be a career. I love building things and I think I'm pretty mechanically inclined.
Anyways, here's my question. Do you guys think this would be a big mistake? I mean is it pretty steady work? I know there are different trades, and they all have their ups and downs, and I'm sure they all have slow times too. I'm just wondering in general though, because everyone tells me it's a bad idea. Any advice all you experienced guys can give me would be really appreciated. Thanks.

G@PC

Brian, sounds like you should go be a firefighter (not boring but still a little low paying) then you could go build things on your off days. There's your carreer!

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If you can't fix it with a hammer.....You've got an electrical problem!

Brian25

Well, I don't necessarily need that much excitement. I'm really interested in becoming a carpenter. I've been working retail for the last 2 years, and it just isn't for me.

woodmagman

I had a fire inspection at our shop the other day, the conversation turned to the youth of today. He said that all their new recruits have a sense that they know more about the job then they really do. Read a book, saw a movie and now they are the best they can be. His reality check for them is to give them a toilet brush and a bucket.
What ever you think the job, I am certain your boss will put you in check. I told my son not to be a carpenter, so now he is a Master Electrician, who is a third owner in a constuction company. So much for my advice. Follow your heart. The reality is that, who you work for is going to be more imortant the the work itself.

Brian25

Thanks for the advice.. I don't necessarily need to go into a field that's booming, but I don't want to literally be starving because work is so slow either.. That's my main concern, just that I wouldn't have any work.

woodmagman

???? You are not going to get a job if there is not work.

threaderman

Find something you really enjoy and get good at it,then you have something to fall back on.You're young,have fun,unless you have a family then they come first [steady income].I took a break from Plumbing in the mid 80's ,got my CDL and drove a delivery truck for Budweiser in south Chicago.The pay was awesome,you always knew where the best bands and partys were gonna be.I made more than Plumbing after the benefits were thrown in.The union had it's back broken during the great beer driver strike in 89' cause they allowed scabs to drive the routes,in Chicago.That's why I'm no great fan of the unions and that's when I left.But I had a trade to fall back on.

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Joe ---International Code Council Member

Your plumbing & gas specialist proudly serving Oklahoma City OK, Moore, Warr-acres, Norman, Midwest City, Edmond, Bethany, Forest Park

Brian25

Well, I mean I don't want to get into something that has alot of slow times where a layoff is pretty much inevitable.

I do have a family, my wife and I just had our first baby. Which is why I'm looking to get a better job. The company I work for right now is laying people off and cutting hours, business is getting pretty bad.

threaderman

Construction is not for you unless you get in with a well established company while you're learning,and you won't be making much to start as you know.Sometimes you just have to pay your dues and serve your time.Only very secure jobs are state/government jobs.Learn a trade in the armed forces.I was a plumber in the early 80's in the Air Force/6510 CES.It has served me well.Good-luck!

__________________
Joe ---International Code Council Member

Your plumbing & gas specialist proudly serving Oklahoma City OK, Moore, Warr-acres, Norman, Midwest City, Edmond, Bethany, Forest Park

send_it_all

Brian, I was a union carpenter in So. Cal. (local 803. Orange, Ca.) for about 7 years before I started my business. If my business ever fails, that's where I will be again. It pays pretty well and has decent benefits, including retirement plan. I think that if you are interested in construction, union is by far the best way to go. If you want to PM me, I can tell you what you need to do to get started.

JustaFramer

Jump in while its booming. I don't know how it is right no in Cali but last few summers the halls were empty all up and down the west coast.
The program for apprenticeship is one of the best. Put it this way you start out at around 20 dollars a hour with a 11 dollar a hour benefit package. The fringe package is different in Cali so this just a estimate. Non Union residential top scale is 20-25. Join and you are already ahead of the game.

Just a heads up don't ask non union contractors if you should join the union they want to hire you for minimum wage and not teach you anything. The twenty somethings that are trying to be the man don't know what passing the torch is really about.

Brian25

Thanks for all of the advice. I definitely want to join a union.. My brother in law is in it, and he said it's the way to go. Really, according to the payscale the union gave me, I'd be making as much going in as a 1st period apprentice as I do now, so I think it's a step in the right direction for me.

I tried to PM you, but for some reason I don't see that option on this forum. Is there any way you could e-mail me or something? My e-mail is rl0gin0@hotmail.com. I'd really like any information you can offer on this. Thanks.