ATV Florida Forum

Im thinking about being a mechanic of some kind for my career. id love to be a mc/atv tech but i hear that they dont make crap. a diesel mechanic would be a cool job too.

id like to be a fleet mechanic for Publix at the warehouse in Orlando. they make good money when you factor in the benefits you get. they make just over 50k a year topped out and they get health, life and dental insurance for free, a sweet 401k plan. and for every so much you make they give you stock. they get 5 or 6 weeks vacation after 5 years plus 5 or 10 paid holidays that can be used any day you want to use them. the hours rock too. 9:30-6:00.

so, if any of you are mechanics, please tell me what kind of hours, pay, benefits, and all that good stuff you get. thanks.

publix is one of the best companys to work for in the u.s. . if you were good with computers and lived in calforina id say go to work for GOOGLE there awsome . look it up somtime oh how people work there youll wish you had a job there, nick

Turning wrenches for a living  sucks ,it used to be good 30 years ago dont do it go into computers or something else

i suck with computers.

if you want a killer joib that rquires liek no skill, be a ups driver, i was a jumper for the season and my driver made like 60,00+ a year. all you have to do is be a package handler for a year or 2 and they will offer you a driving position.

i would go to an atv mechanic school but to be honest i dont think id learn anything new, im going to uti in orlando.

no changing tires sucks when i worked at tire kingdom i woulda given anything to be a 'real' mechanic btw never take your vehicles to any of those places there just a bunch of rednecks w/ backyard knowledge on oil changes and crap believe me i was one of em  ;)

to do what? thats where i want to go if i decide to be a mechanic. there or mmi. i also kinda dont want to go to mmi because i already work on bikes alot. i can do most of that crap that i have tools for.

well, if everyone thought that way there would be a severe need for mechanics. i like working on stuff and all too. i love atv/mcs though so i dont know if i want a career doing that. i may get tire of dealing with them.

what is considered good money nowadays anyway?

You only "Hit as high as you Aim". Forget that crap. Go to college and get a job where your annual bonus is 2.5 million. Find out who is the highest paid mf's in the USA and research what they dd to get there. You can do it.

Before you go to college, get on a Harley and go to Idaho or Wyoming or Utah, by a bag of some good weed, pick up some waitress at the truck stop and get lost. When you get back you will be ready for a higher education. Here is the kicker, look what the rest of the hourly saps are doing out there right now (I am one of them). No Way. Do not sell yourself short. get real for a few months then check back with me.

The OZ has spoken ;)     

dont choose your career on money and hate it neither should you go get a job at mcd's cuz its easy but ive been on both sides of the fence
i had a job i HATED and made $16 an hour
now i drive a truck around the dump[some people mght think that sucks but i enjoy it] and make 1/2 that but love my job and couldnt be happier i know its not a career but until i can get into the fwc [another job that doesnt pay the best] its great

50k a year is not good at all. i think thats bs when people say being a mechanic sucked, thats because they dont have a passion for working on things and they just couldnt get a better job. do something you love to do.

btw marine sucks because you will end up inside of a hull for hours working on inboards, but outboards would be great.

 :banghead.gif

It doesn't matter if you don't learn anything new -- you get certification.  No authorized dealer is going to hire you if you just claim to be good at it.  That little piece of paper MAKES a difference.  Certification > Word.

:Y UTI.  I'm heading there with a few friends when we graduate.  Going to get an apartment in Orlando... gonna be sick lol.

It's not a bad thing.
Big Co. or gov jobs offer the best long term but most starting salaries are low (26K~36K) If your a good wrench and a good employee you will be above 50k in a few years.

I finshed HS as a certified diesel mechanic. I could rebuild a CAT or DD by the time a was 18. I had a knack for it, yes I tore everthing apart as a child. Not every one does. Most people under estimate just how hard it is to wrench every day.

 I love bikes/quads but I hated the feast or famine pay checks. Ive held some good jobs: Ryder/FL&L/Rinker/ MDC Fire shop/MDC solid waste/FDOT and now CC Fleet in Naples.

The most important thing to remember is listen to the OLD guys for mechanical and read everthing you can on the new stuff. My hands don't hurt from PS3, punk!
 ;D

I am a ASE Master Tech Plus The Advanced Level Engine Performance Certification,I cant say that I would recomend becoming a tech I make decent money  Quite a bit over 50K but overall it's abusive to your body Aching back,Carpal Tunnel Syndrome,Just To Name a few + exposure to many hazardous Chemicals,I work on Flat Rate If the shop is busy pay can be great if it's slow pay sucks bad! or the company will hire too many techs then you cant make much $ Publix May be the best bet if you decide to become a tech at least you would be on Salary.

what im saying is i want a certification on something a litle more advanced than atv mechanic, that way not only will i have no trouble geting hired as an atv mechanic but i could do just about anything i wanted. i hear theres just like a general "hot rod" section of uti or something like that, thats what id be doing...

something different but what about aviation mech.  I do that now and love it.  I do something different everyday.  I have a broad spectrum of things that i work on, engines, metal working, props, flight controls, etc.  Check out NAA in clearwater or go to a hanger and check out what they do and maybe get in as a grunt at first and then go for your A&P (Airfame and Powerplant) Certification.  Good pay with A&P and go anywhere you want.  Just trying to broaden your options.

It will take a long time like 5 years to become a package car driver and they make anywhere from 50-60k and another 5 years to become driver who will make like 80k. Im trying to become package car but I dont have enought time yet...

The main thing is Doing what you enjoy,If you love what you are doing,you never have to go to work! I am a FireFighter/Paramedic it used to be
the best job in the world,but lawyers wanting to be politicians//Politicians wanting to be lawyers kinda messed the whole thing up :'(
 Politicians= poly meaning many// ticks-are blood sucking parasites= Politicians !!!!

I loved turnin wrenches. Theres not a ton of money in it unless your really good or find a really rare job. Own your shop AND turn wrenches. Cant beat that. You can choose the jobs you want to do!

I'm going to get certification in as many things as I can.  May take a few years but it will be worth it down the road.  I'm taking the Ford FACT program or whatever its called, probably going to take some more courses like the cummins diesel one, then I will head over to MMI.

I doesn't matter what you do, if you enjoy your job, and you are motivated, and your adaptable, and always continue to educate yourself you can make 6 figures in anything you choose.  I know a mechanic who makes 100,000 a year so why not you.  There are a lot of things out here in the real world that can stop you from pursuing the perfect job (like a family) so think about whats important and not about the dollar.  Remember no job is beneath you.  Good luck.

well said swamper.

It depends if you are good or bad at it. I know a bunch of mechanics who work at a local Ford heavy truck dealership. Some of them make 30k in a good year and two I know make $150k with another $50k in side work right now in these slow times and have for years.

Flat rate is what you will find in nearly every heavy truck shop and it can pay big, but isn't for everyone. I worked body and paint at Peterbilt for years and never took home less than a thousand a week working about six hours a day, five a week while some guys went broke and quit after a few weeks. Trucks are much more fun than cars IMO, everything is way bigger.

Lol, like you just go get a job there.  It is rated as one of the top companies in the world to work for.  You need to have experience, desire, a genuine knack at whatever you do, and you need to fit in with the culture.  Many of the top IT companies are like that now a days.  Also in IT you better love long hours and always being on call, no matter what you do.

with a A&P certification, will that pretty much qualify you for any mechanical job out there?

experience(speed + quality) + www.asecert.org = $$$

X2 i worked for toyota and lexus for 20 years and walked out 6 years ago went in business for myself on 9/11/01 its ok but the cars are getting harder to fix and you make less money every year publix is a good compry to work for but it sucks working for a car dealer  you work alot of hours the guys that are making good money are the old timer or the one that bing feed by the service writers but good luck with what ever you pick to do

although i agree you should do what you enjoy, turning wrenches is very hard on the body,wallet and mind.
the amount of tools required is overwhelming. your body takes a beating and so does your mind. i am also a cmat-l1 tech and its getting tougher everyday. the pay sucks for the amount of work you have to do.   i wouldnt recommend it for anyone.

gery

mixed feelings here. hmmm. i love working on stuff. i dont care about having billions of dollars but i do want to be able to live comfortably and enjoy the toys ive got. its a fine line between being able to buy the toys and have time to play. my dad was a manager for Publix and was making 120k a year but working 60-80 hours a week and we never got to do anything. yea, we all had sweet bikes and he got a new car every 6 months but he wasnt happy and neither were we. now he works full time (40hrs) for them and we have the time but not as much $ and all. i definitely want to be a mechanic or engineer (im not good at math so that takes alot of engineering out). i just dont know what kind of whatever. ive even thought about a Air Force mechanic on a jet or something. guess i just need to marry a rich girl. lol.

My cousin is a mechanic for the air force and he see's the world and loves his job AND makes good money. But your never home. I would LOVE to do that. But racing is my passion and I cant give that up.

I forgot about the toll it takes on your body. Sheesh, that use to suck. I must of done 40 evaporators last summer and that will tear your back UP!

Unfortunately that is the case, we are in need of techs and can't get enough good one to stick around. The car business is a roller coaster ride, the great phrase of feast or phamon is very common. A good friend once told me don't make your hobby your career. You will eventually hate your hobby. Turning wrenches is not bad as long as you work for a good company like UPS or Publix or something similar
Good luck with what you choose

thats why i dont want to do the atv/mc mechanics. my passion is Gator football and riding. im not too into big trucks or cars but i do like working on them. its not a hobby though.

Fox,

My advice to you, in general, no matter what career you choose is:
1) go to college or get some form of higher education in order to distinguish yourself from the rest.
2) get as many certifications as you can.  It maybe just a simple piece of paper, but it will make yourself more valuable and marketable.
3) don't sell yourself short.  Meaning that if you have a talent or special skill you should exploit it to the fullest.  I have seen several people who were very talented and bright people who settled into a job where they didn't fully reach their potential.
4) Be selfish.  In business or any career, you have to always look out for yourself.  You manager or supervisor probably isn't always going to be looking out for your best interest.  Rather, he is always going to be looking out for his best interest and always trying to make himself look good.  For example, I had been working my butt off one time on this project and had one of my managers take all the credit for my hard work.  But when things go wrong, they will be the first ones to put the blame on you. 
5) Don't be complacent or satisfied with where you are in the company.  Always look for ways to improve yourself and move up in which ever company you work for.  As soon as you get complacent, you will be stuck there and won't be able to move up.  Wherever you decide to work, make sure there are opportunities to move up in the company both financially and vertically up the "corporate ladder".  The last thing you want is to be stuck in a dead end job.  It gives you no incentive to work harder.
6) Work for a company that you will be happy with.  Having a well paid salary is nice, but eventually you will be miserable and it will affect your personal life.  The most important thing to a happy career is liking the people you work with and working with people who will provide on the job training.  Working with people who are willing to teach you new things will keep things interesting and less frustrating. 
7) Remember this saying "The toes you step on today could be connected to the a$$ you'll have to kiss tomorrow".  Never treat anyone that works below you as an inferior person and don't burn bridges in your career because you never know when you may have to cross them again.  Making people who work under you feel important and appreciated will work wonders for your career.  They will work harder for you, which in turn will make you look better. 

These are just some things that I have learned in my career and can be applied to any job situation.  In the end, no one will be able to give you a definite yes or no answer on which career path you should go down.  I know you are facing a very intimidating and big choice right now but ultimately you know what you are capable of doing.  Take as much advice from the old folks as you can to make the best informed decision.

Not to start another topic here but I don't think college is for everyone.  Some of the most successful people I know never had a lick of college.  And I know people with 2 degree's looking for work (part laziness is the reason they are still looking)  Some people think just because they go to college they are "owed" jobs.  In my business, I would take pasion, character, motivation, "common sense", and adaptability over ANY Harvard degree (LOL not like they have a body shop degree)  I just hate to see some people go to college and come away with a degree and think they can just walk right into a job.  That or they think certain jobs are beneath them.  Anyway as I said before good luck!!

for me, if im not learning something i love than im going to fail bigtime, college would be a big waist of money, theres no way id pass. uti however, no doubt i can pass it because i already know alot about cars and trucks and would love to learn as much as i can, not just learn it because i have to...

me too. i dont think id do very well in college. i do well working on stuff. i cant write a paper for my life but i can rebuild a engine pretty good. and ive never worked on anything until the last 2 years. i look at some of the stuff that my friends do in college and i definitely couldnt do it. i was not in a public school either so i have never had to sit and listed to someone teach me. i am not good at taking notes or anyhting. one of my friends was going to BCC here and he couldnt pass at all then he went to UTI and did great and is now going to the Arizona campus to do a special porsche program. my dad and mom ever went to college either. unless you have to have it to do what you want to do, i dont think its necessary in some cases. i dont think knowing how to write a book is gonna help me rebuild a publix truck. lol.


Sleazy_Rider78, that was great advice. thanks.

If you like it then go for it you will alway have job waiting somewhere people alway need something fixed theres alot of college folks that cant change a tire they just pay someone to do it

thats my uncle. cant change a air filter in his house. he is a lawyer for the state. i figure i will always have a job like you say. it would be sweet if i did get a job at Publix or UPS because of benefits too. i already have started accumulating stock at Publix. my job there will help me to transfer to the fleet crew too. UTI has a program that teaches auto, diesel, and heavy equipment core stuff. then i can do a few electives and be set. ill be certified in all 3.  ;D

I have a body shop degree from Atlantic. Not really worth a damn without I-car and some ASE's these days, but before those existed it actually meant something.

I agree with your post. Unemployable guys with degrees are a dime a dozen and usually not qualified to sweep the floor.

A job you don't love is just that, a job.

yea I have been going to tampa for iCar trying to get my shop back in gold status LOL

my 2 cents:

like some have said, do what you love and are passionate about, and stick to it...the money will come

as for college/degrees/certification...rubbish.  I have an ivy league degree and make over 6 figures a year.  While college has given me certain skills that can only be learned from a book, i walk all over overeducated people all the time...they get lots of degrees and lots of certification letters after their title, but mostly because they don't have the capability to get ahead through hard work and perseverance, so they get another degree or certification.  I haven't been back for any kind of schooling since college, while many of my colleagues go regularly, and I always find my way to the top of the ladder whatever company I'm working for.  If I need to know how to do something, I do the research and figure it out myself...

I would any day take someone that was hard working, interested in improving themselves and the company, and made it to the position they are in because they worked for it than someone that went to college and has the degree.  It's more than what you know, it's how well you can use what you know, and if you don't know, can find out the answer on your own. 


this country is running out of skilled labor.  no one want to learn the trades, but I see big $'s in the trades, maybe not working for someone else, but absolutely working for yourself.  someday i will get out of my office job and start a company doing something mechanical/trade related.  there are very few people left anymore that can do quality work, and i for one and willing to pay a premium for quality service...I'm sick of having to redo what someone did for me incorrectly the first time.

As an aside, If you're only concerned about salary, I've read several business reports over the years that compared the number of college educated millionares to those that never went to college.  There are more milionares that did not go to college than did.  My suspicion is that the entrepreneur has a risk taking mentality that doesn't go well with college...they are the doer's of the world, and classroom settings don't fit this personality type.

backinsaddle, that would be describing me too. i can figure almost anything out if i think about it. i cant stand half azzed work either. if i do it, i do it right. weather for me or someone else.