Snowflake proof job

[Shooter13]

Easy.... 1-27/16. Did it in me head.

LOL I missed it then I came up with 2 11/16 but what do I know ;-)

 

[hogpatrol]

 

[nicholst55]

I used to train new tool distributors for one of the major mobile tool companies. Their average age was about 50-55, and 95% of them were auto mechanics who could no longer wrench for a living. Usually the result of bad backs, from bending over engine bays their entire adult lives. There are, however, still young people willing to get their hands dirty - I see and work with them every day. They're in the military. Not everyone here is going on to a productive life, of course. Military service has become somewhat of an alternative form of welfare in some instances - too many single parents sucking up the benefits (and other slackers) - kind of like the rest of society. Now, before anyone criticizes me on my opinion, I did my 20 years. There are a lot of outstanding young men and women serving in uniform - the vast majority of them are, in fact. However, there are also others.

As far as student debt goes, the government says that at age 40, they typically just write off one's remaining debt. I think the student debt is what this entire 'must go to college' mentality is all about - having people pay that student debt for 20+ years. Here in South Korea, the average recent college graduate is doing menial labor - kind of like in the States. My wife and I put our two sons through college and on to advanced degrees - one a doctor and one a lawyer. Both know how to work with their hands, though. They also realize the value of being able to do so.

 

[hogpatrol]

With the exception of some professions, if you're a one trick pony, you're destined to see financial hard times. Recessions and corporate restructurings have put many a highly skilled or educated, one discipline, people out of work. The last recession I knew two middle aged men that had PhDs and were laid off. One wound up driving a honey wagon and the other went in to business installing new bathrooms. They couldn't find a job that was in line with their education.

 

[Shawnba67]

I agree the trades are a great career, except auto mechanics. For years I have discouraged bright young people with the aptitude necessary to become a great tech, from perusing auto mechanics. I have spent 40 years in dealerships, indy's before that. Three years of trade school, ASE maester Mechanic, ASE Master Machinist, GM master in 10 categories, BMW master mechanic, smog license etc, I could go on but you get the idea. In all this time I have never generated more than two weeks of vacation or a single paid sick day. The money and satisfaction is just not there. In 2004 my flat rate was $28.85 per hour, I was flagging 250+ hours every two weeks. In 2018 my flat rate was $34.00 per hour and I was struggling to flag 80 hours every two weeks. Only one tech did any better than I on hours, his flat rate was less than mine. Now we are discussing autonomous vehicles, it's happening now, I cant wait to see Juan and Julio diagnose and repair them. OK to learn mechanics, just don't pursue it as a career any more. But what the hell do I know...........

More here, long read.

I had 18yrs in the Dodge dealer, I second this wholeheartedly.

 

[CT10ring]

Yup... recently saw a car service technician tell a customer that the air in their tires needed changed... the customer just nodded their head and told them to proceed! Sad, very sad...

My most deadly question.
Whats 1-7/8 +13/16?
Heres a pencil and paper.
Most people cant even roll up a garden hose.

2 11/16". I knew guys who had never picked up a hammer, where I lived, earlier. Here in this part ID, everyone can do nearly anything required and all have a rifle or pistol in their truck, or in a scabbard.

 

[338 dude]

The old air in the tires trick. The newest plan in this arena is selling nitrogen to inflate tires. The average snowflake doesn't know that the air in the tires is already 78% nitrogen, just like the air in your lungs. It would be virtually impossible to inflate a car tire so that the contents of the tire is 100% nitrogen.

Also much like an AC system you would have to pull a vacuum on the air when the tire is installed to begin with to be closer to 100% nitrogen

 

[spaniel]

All for the trades for those so inclined. But have an eye open to the long term. I grew up on a farm, getting my hands dirty and doing manual labor. Didn't want to beat up my body for the rest of my life, was smart about college, got out of undergrad with no debt through scholarships and working multiple part time jobs. First grad degree was covered by a university, second put me into debt but was key to my career and I knew in advance it would pay for itself. Did the whole cost/benefit analysis which is the failure mode of the majority of college students complaining about their loan debt. Still making payments 15 years later but only because I make more on the stock market than the interest on the loan.

My father is still farming at 72. His trade didn't afford him a retirement, wrecked his body, and he cannot enjoy his golden years as he has limited mobility and is in constant pain. Hear a lot of manual tradespeople end up in that boat.

College isn't inherently bad. Student debt isn't inherently bad. Taking on big student debt for a degree that won't pay it back IS bad. I had $60K in student debt when I got out of my second graduate degree, and it was worth every penny.

 

[rr2030]

Schools are half the problem. They teach the religion of the state. Parents are the other half.

 

[PatMiles]

Schools are half the problem. They teach the religion of the state. Parents are the other half.

Parents are the FIRST half for sending their kids to state sponsored schools!

 

[nmkid]

I would consider radiology a "trade." As in, not a desk job... working with technology with your hands. "Trades" doesn't mean "high school dropout / failed at everything else.

Is he going into a 4 year program at college / university?

He is headed to Johns Hopkins.

 

[garandman]

He is headed to Johns Hopkins.

Well… radiology is a skill set that will forever be able to find employment.

 

[jk80]

The building trades treated me good. I was a pipe fitter for over 35 years. It was hard on my body but I've got no complaints. Young guys coming in now are a bit different. Most don't want to work overtime when needed, and don't have quite the same work ethics. I always did my job and went at it HARD. I always figured people could call me a lot of things, but lazy wasn't one of them. I had a lot of new apprentice's start with me and I always did my best to help them but some couldn't pick up on stuff and others just wouldn't. They won the blue collar lottery and just couldn't see it. The ones that tried you could work with and help. Not all kids are suited to construction work. Your outside in all kinds of weather, as fitters we worked on some fairly dangerous stuff in refineries and they just didn't want to do it. The trades are all hurting for GOOD help, not just someone who can't or won't cut it in college. If they can't handle that they sure won't have an easier time in the trades. Jmho.

 

[JFrank]

I hate the trades! LOL! But I'm glad I learned them. Been an electrician for 20 years, but have worked concrete and construction, learned plumbing, cabinetry, and drywalling, mudding, taping, painting, experienced in auto mechanics, did a little logging (on private land), worked in a large production sawmill, and now dabble in gunsmithing and machining. I have a brand new Hobart Tig welding machine and all the gear but I've never turned it on! That's the next trade I will be teaching myself

I hope to pass it all on to my son. He likes auto mechanics. His 7th period in high school is Auto Mechanics. Just showed him how to change brake pads and rotors on my truck the other day

Working in the trades is a life of hard labor and some of the jobs aren't always rewarding, especially when starting out, but they are definitely getting better. Wages are much higher these days and rapidly climbing because people are willing to pay it. I am now a heavy industrial electrician working on the world's newest and largest deep water offshore drilling rig.

Plumber !!
Bro in need a plumber at the cabin . J

 

[cheek9075]

My wife went to collage, got a degree in education. We got married after her teaching for 3 years. Paid student loans for 15 years.
I went to trade school for 2 years, electrical, got into a specialty trade after. I have spent 20 years in it, 15 as a tech, 5 as a manager. Not bragging, I making almost 3 times what she does. Point is, her education cost alot, mine cost 3k.

I have got a niece that has a master, she spent 2 years applying for jobs, finally found one. Pay is average, like my wife. Neffew went into trade at age 20, he is make 3 times what his sister does.

I am responsible for hiring new techs, ask me how easy it is to find people... We have raised our pay scale over $12/hr to compete with ours. A trade skill takes time to learn, but it pays well. Some are harder than others and takes its toll on the body. But desk jobs also take there toll on you in other ways. I have seen both sides. I would go back to the field turning wrenches over what I am doing now. I'm lucky and have the option to do both. When I want out in the field I go out, on hot or cold days I stay inside. Best of both worlds and pay isnt bad.

 

[rebel]

Got to comment here. I have lead an interesting life and I'll try and be brief.
Parents were educators. Dad had a Post hole digger from Univ. of Ga. in Philosophy, Mom had a Masters in education from LR in Hickory NC. Needless to say, their elder son was somewhat of an anomaly. Smart, never had to study. Spent most of his time in the woods. Killed all kinds of stuff with a recurve bow by the age of 14.
Finally conceded to buy a gun for the boy on his 15th Christmas.
A Marlin 150 pump 12 ga.. Killed a lot with that. Next year came a Marlin 39 A. That was it, they were done with guns.
That kid showed a ton of artistic talent and in the nature of that day, the kid was going to be the 2cd gen college bound.Allready had a battery of IQ tests so Pop could write a ton of papers on how tests were biast to a certain group.
In any case I scored pretty high.
I chose a trade school in 1983. When I got out everything had been taken over by computers ( Graphic design ) but I could do it by hand.
Got into printing. German?American company with an apprenticeship program. 6 months before obtaining my journeymen's papers we were bought out by an American Co. and I was laid off, along with hundreds, permanently.
My 1st wife was pregnant with our son, I was to proud to sign up so.......
Worked at a general store for $200 a week cash.
Tried a job building mobile homes but it didn't work out.
Supplied catfish fillets to the local restaurant by jug fishing for cash.
Got a job installing duct work for a local HVAC contractor.
Learned the service trade on my own because this guy was dick.
Applied in 1993 for a job at a huge retirement facility - 150 acre campus. Independent living to skilled care as a Maintenance tech for $7.83 an hr.
Left 5 years ago as Director of Plant Ops making 52 K a year.
Bought a gun store. I'm my own boss. Haven't had a paycheck in 6 months BUT damn I'm a happier man.

By contrast - My son has a degree in computer science.
Upon graduation he had a job around 75K a year. In 2 years he was at 100 K and he gave me a call today that he to a job with another company and would start at 162K a year.
My first words - proud of you, good job.
2nd words - Pay off the student debt it took 4 working adults to pay for. 2 parents and two step parents. This shit is killing us.
Time to man up boy.
We will see what happens, but I am still proud of him.

 

[Downeast]

2 11/16". I knew guys who had never picked up a hammer, earlier. Here in this part ID, everyone can do nearly anything and all have a rifle or pistol in their truck, or in a scabbard.

Is that the same as 1-0.125+0.8125?

 

[garandman]

LOL I missed it then I can up with 2 11/16 but what do I know ;-)

Actually, its 43 /16 ths...

 

[KMart]

Also much like an AC system you would have to pull a vacuum on the air when the tire is installed to begin with to be closer to 100% nitrogen

How do you propose to pull a vacuum on a rubber tire installed on a steel rim without pulling the tire off the rim? The only way possible to accomplish this task is to have the tire installed and inflated inside an enclosed 100% nitrogen atmosphere.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

The nitrogen inflating machine concentrates nitrogen from the atmosphere then exchanges the air in the tire so it gets a higher concentration of nitrogen than plain air.