Dozers, Backhoes, Graders, logging trucks, snowcats etc

[iceman]

The result's gonna come back: "Too Smart"

[Tippster]

Good luck, J. See you in 2 weeks!

[ill-advised strategy]

I know of two questions I for sure missed:

what is a windlass? it was multiple choice I and guessed some kind of shelter. heh..

and which one doesn't fit:
A. Hearts
B. Diamonds
C. Aces
D. Spades

heh.. I looked at that and looked at it like a dog trying to figure out how to open a bag of dog food. I just didn't get it. Duh. duh. duh. I realized it like 5 minutes after I'd turned the test in. fuck. "aces"? fuck.

heh.

oh well. There were some other ones that kind of threw me too, just weird shit, like "pick which cow is more visible from an airplane...it was a picture of a spotted one and a white one"...dude. I saw that and thought "jesus christ, what am I doing here, are you shitting me...I don't even know which one to pick and it sounds like something you'd ask a retarded kid in special class"..

There were like 3 "rock and roll" guys there with the long hair and the leather jackets...a bunch of nascar rednecks, a few hispanic dudes with gang tatoos all over, some really crusty looking old women, and I guess the rest was mostly just "truckers" of various configurations.

I didn't know whether to feel good about myself for being the best choice in the room, or feel bad about myself for being in the room in the first place.

[jonesy]

There is some very good advice given. I have been in the field for 30 years. Teamsters for 17 years. If you want to make a good living at it then Union or a respectable outfit is the way to go. Otherwise be prepared to get fucked over in ways you never thought possible. Heavy equipment and trucking in general takes a toll on your body and is dangerous. I don't think logging would be a good place to start,even more dangerous. You need to work into that kind of driving/operating job. There's an old saying......You can take a logger out of the woods but you can't make a highway driver a logger. Good luck. Old truckers never die they just get new Petrbilts........

[ill-advised strategy]

So...now that there's a work subforum I wonder if an admin would move this there.


Kind of got derailed by 2 years of school but I still want to do this. I have apps into lots of mining jobs. Had a weird, awkward job interview with Barrick in Elko that seemed to just focus on trying to explain wildland firefighting to some people who clearly didn't get it and couldn't get past the "tell us what equipment you operated" question. It seems like the process of getting an OE apprenticeship pretty much requires that you don't need a job to support yourself.

I put in an application to drive snowcats at powder mountain and did a bunch of other searching but as far as I can tell that's the only opening I could see.

I see people running this shit all the time...it's pretty hard to believe they all went through this bullshit just to get a simple job and run machinery. Any of these offers still stand? Colorado...Montana...whatever?

[Tye 1on]

So...now that there's a work subforum I wonder if an admin would move this there.

Done, shoot a PM if anything else is needed.

[BFD]

Do you have a CDL? I mentioned earlier that is where I would start.

[moose pit]

Ahhhh explaining fire to miners... Time to change from fire guy to a public safety specialist with hands on experience managing personal, aviation resources and heavy machinery in fast pace high, stress situations.

Good luck.

[ill-advised strategy]

Do you have a CDL? I mentioned earlier that is where I would start.

No, I had one and didn't renew it in 2004. I had an exchange with somebody via PM who kind of outlined the options for getting a driving job and it sounded fairly grim....sign up with some low-end trucking company. Go through their process for 2 years where you're just driving nonstop and stuck in Memphis and Gary Indiana and Texas and wherever. Spend a week making no money in Shreveport because there's nowhere to send you. That kind of shit.

I have to make a living, so spending a bunch of time and money on a school at this stage is out.

I think with this forum and at this time of year I'm mainly wondering about snowcats...
Deer Valley was willing to hire me to run snowcats in 2004 with no experience...I wonder if things have changed that much since then?

Ahhhh explaining fire to miners... Time to change from fire guy to a public safety specialist with hands on experience managing personal, aviation resources and heavy machinery in fast pace high, stress situations.

My resume is full of that sort of language.

[Arty50]

I see people running this shit all the time...it's pretty hard to believe they all went through this bullshit just to get a simple job and run machinery. Any of these offers still stand? Colorado...Montana...whatever?

It's not always "simple." Shortly after two-blocking a crane, cracking a sheave, and watching half of said sheave rocket past a friend missing him by only a foot I found that out the hard way. One of my dad's operators, who was working nearby told me the following after it happened. Just because you know how to run a crane, doesn't mean you know how to operate a crane. He then gave me some lessons the next few days.

I've heard of and seen some silly shit done by experienced operators of cranes and excavators. It's even more impressive when you get an understanding of how hard that stuff really is and how big the conseqences can be if things go wrong. There's a reason the guys who are doing that stuff get paid a ton of money though. There just aren't that many operators out there who have that kind of seat of the pants feel for doing something gnarly in a 165,000 lb excavator.

[Dhelihiker]

Running equipment gets old fast, knocking down buildings is amusing but grading or moving dirt sucks. Especially in these times, those old "experienced" guys that Arty is talking about are typically cut throat backstabbing cunts. Youre trying to take their job or so they think, lay offs come around and everything you do will be wrong. Im in management and I see and hear about it every day. Go to school, trust me.

[BFD]

Running equipment gets old fast, knocking down buildings is amusing but grading or moving dirt sucks. Especially in these times, those old "experienced" guys that Arty is talking about are typically cut throat backstabbing cunts. Youre trying to take their job or so they think, lay offs come around and everything you do will be wrong. Im in management and I see and hear about it every day. Go to school, trust me.

In my 15 years of working heavy construction I didn't see this. I worked for superintendents I liked. A good super puts together a crew that works well together. I spent around a dozen years with the same crew. No one ever got hurt on our jobs. Although I haven't worked construction out of the hall for 5 years my old bosses still call every spring to see what I am doing. Yes it can get pretty old running fill cat for 20 years. If your good at it and with a good company they will put you in good equipment as they know you will make them money with it. I take pride in the jobs I have done and enjoy driving down a road and telling my kids I built it.
to the OP. I wasn't thinking of highway trucking. I was thinking of other options, such as snow removal, landscaping,small construction outfits. One of the key people on a construction crew is the laborer. Someone with a CDL that can drive the water truck or feul truck when needed. Most important thing is to get out there somehow and build experience and connections.

[Crampedon]

If this pipeline gets built they will burn some diesel-

http://www.energynow.com/video/2011/...ipeline-system

[brice618]

When I was working as a finish carpenter I talked to a 3 man septic operation that was driving around the boonies doing septic installs and making decent coin. Guy and his dad owned a truck with a gantry on it, and another truck that hauled his backhoe. One laborer to direct the digging and do whatever finish digging and it took them maybe 3 hours to dig and install a full septic system. I wouldn't want to do much maintenance, and didn't ask if they dealt with that side of the business or not, but I wonder if you could get a start doing something like that on a small crew busting ass and getting work done then move up or buy your own rig... Just a thought. Good luck man.

[Arty50]

Running equipment gets old fast, knocking down buildings is amusing but grading or moving dirt sucks. Especially in these times, those old "experienced" guys that Arty is talking about are typically cut throat backstabbing cunts. Youre trying to take their job or so they think, lay offs come around and everything you do will be wrong. Im in management and I see and hear about it every day. Go to school, trust me.

In my 15 years of working heavy construction I didn't see this. I worked for superintendents I liked. A good super puts together a crew that works well together. I spent around a dozen years with the same crew. No one ever got hurt on our jobs. Although I haven't worked construction out of the hall for 5 years my old bosses still call every spring to see what I am doing. Yes it can get pretty old running fill cat for 20 years. If your good at it and with a good company they will put you in good equipment as they know you will make them money with it. I take pride in the jobs I have done and enjoy driving down a road and telling my kids I built it.
to the OP. I wasn't thinking of highway trucking. I was thinking of other options, such as snow removal, landscaping,small construction outfits. One of the key people on a construction crew is the laborer. Someone with a CDL that can drive the water truck or feul truck when needed. Most important thing is to get out there somehow and build experience and connections.

It all depends on who you get on with. Some companies are run by some extremely unsavory people. Others run a very tight ship and take really good care of their people. I've seen it all. The good are really good and the bad are extremely bad.

[Dhelihiker]

In my 15 years of working heavy construction I didn't see this. I worked for superintendents I liked. A good super puts together a crew that works well together. I spent around a dozen years with the same crew. No one ever got hurt on our jobs. Although I haven't worked construction out of the hall for 5 years my old bosses still call every spring to see what I am doing. Yes it can get pretty old running fill cat for 20 years. If your good at it and with a good company they will put you in good equipment as they know you will make them money with it. I take pride in the jobs I have done and enjoy driving down a road and telling my kids I built it.
to the OP. I wasn't thinking of highway trucking. I was thinking of other options, such as snow removal, landscaping,small construction outfits. One of the key people on a construction crew is the laborer. Someone with a CDL that can drive the water truck or feul truck when needed. Most important thing is to get out there somehow and build experience and connections.

Well Sir, you have had a very charmed life. You were on the same crew for 12 years? Ive worked for easily 30-40 different companies in 5 different states. I ran mainline excavator for Mid-Mountain, 25 deep down the middle of Sammamish blvd, utility crossings every 5 feet, My super figured I was the dude. The next company I worked for told me I should probably stay off the excavator, I wasnt that good. But they thought I was the best grade setter they've ever seen (I am). Im not trying to bag on your friends, my point is running heavy equipment is a very subjective trade. Some guys are amazing, they go without saying. Most people are at the same skill level and depending on whether the boss hunts and you hunt or fishes and you have a boat or you wear carharts or wranglers or if you just kiss better ass is what makes the grade. Yes there are great people in the industry and awesome crews, but "fitting in" is almost always the key, not being skilled. Thats the shit that drove me crazy. Ive been in OE 3 for 18 years and have suffered enough to make this claim without hesitation. Thank god I was smart enough to go to school, get a degree and stay in this industry in a capacity that is sustainable.

BFD are you still on a dirt crew? Your post seems past tense, wasnt that great after all, eh?

[BFD]

I began as a construction surveyor, working as a subcontractor to the general contractor. I realized I could make more money working as a grade checker directly for the general so I began doing that. Most supers no very little about the surveying end. The super I hooked up with realized it is beneficial to have a grade checker that can also survey. I never did fit into go to the bar after work and talk about work crowd. I worked hard, was not above laboring if that what was needed that day, communicated and worked well with the operators. Bottom line was I made the company money.
I moved to a small coastal community 8 years ago. The first year I had to travel to another area for union work. I realized I did not like being away from my family. I purchased a commercial fishing permit and became a fisherman. The first few years I worked dirt after the fishing season ended. The last 5 years fishing has begun to payoff. Now I fish and work locally as a surveyor. I did actually reinstate with the union and pay my dues up this fall. However I didn't take work. Thinking when my youngest son is gone I will get back in to build my retirement.

[ill-advised strategy]

bump for a stack of "regret to inform you" letters in the mail yesterday.



ugh. I'm about 98% decided on just giving up a few years to learn to drive trucks and get some experience. I mean, it's been a good run with skiing and surfing and stuff...can't have fun forever.

[mtngirl79]

You should talk to Hermann Brothers, they haul chips, I think they are a little east of Sequim, and I heard they treat their drivers well.

I doubt they will hire you with no experience, but find out what they want... normally it is a year or two of hell, and you can get hired just about anywhere. You could also get your foot in the door with heavy equipment by hauling it, or delivering for a building supply company, and you will learn to drive the boom truck, the mini boom, etc... it is boom right? The deal that lifts the roofing up to the roofs?

I really hate to encourage trucking because I hate it so much, but it is one of the quickest ways to get a job that pays decent. PM if you need info.

[HellgateBasement]

Lie.

http://www.sanmiguelcounty.org/depar...ces/index.html


YEAR-ROUND
Road and Bridge Department
Equipment Operator - FTYR
Starting Pay: $2,957/mo;
Benefits Package
Closing Date: 10/16/2011

Performs a variety of duties associated with the operation/repair of road construction and equipment as well as the repair, maintenance and construction of County roads, bridges and right-of-ways. Previous experience required in the operation of motor graders, dozers, backhoes and trucks. Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) preferred with; flagging certification helpful. Must be able to perform strenuous manual labor. Pre-employment and random drug tests mandatory.

[HellgateBasement]

http://www.co.gilpin.co.us/Employmen...id%20Waste.pdf

[ill-advised strategy]

nice, those are both awesome...thanks.

[HellgateBasement]

One more. Wish I was this good at finding jobs for myself.

http://www.telluride-co.gov/index.aspx?page=216

[splat]

Yetiman, I might possibly have an opening for someone to press skis in a month or two, if you're interested. It's a steep learning curve in which even the best fuck shit up, so you have to have presence of mind to an exceptional degree. Lemme know, bro.

[ill-advised strategy]

ok thanks, I'll be in touch if nothing works out here.

I just had a 2nd interview for a real job and I'm kind of scraping by getting a shift here and there at 2 different places and working toward generating some income teching skis. Trying to just keep hustling and rustling here and hoping not to have to move.

edit: never mind that 2nd interview.