I'm looking into going to get certified at a local training center. just wondered if there are any construction guys in here that would have any input. after my first year of college i decided i want to go work construction.

 

That's what she said...

 

Finish your degree the construction industry sucks right now not only for road construction but for the housing industry. I am seeing alot of equipment popping up for sale as guys go out of business.

 

Go for Crane Operator. As in LARGE crane Operator

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBDJM13rJ-k

 

I've operated larger farm equipment before as a young kid... and I even have a small tractor with a front loader that I've already made some $$ with. No matter how much training you've got or experience, just remember one thing: Don't be c0cky behind the controls. It can cost you your job, your life, and potentially more.

I've never done anything bad, but have come close to it, and seen others lose their job because they bust a gas line.

 

That was all around a bad lift. The wind started picking up and the load was far too heavy. That's what happens when you try to go fast and cut corners.

The 3 guys who lost their lives in that collapse now have a statue outside the Home Plate entrance at Miller Park.

 

Also remember there is a lot of finess and grace in running a piece of heavy equipment it's not brute strength and horsepower that's how you break stuff. Let the machine do the work and don't force it and most of all as Manual said pay attention to your surroundings and pay attentions to where people and other equipment are they are most likely not paying attention to you. The only time I have ever hit anything with a piece of equipment is when I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing.

 

True.. The unions are full of guys looking for work. Odds are they will probably tell you that you cant join untill the workforce is out in the field working.

I wouldnt bother.

 

Actually, I read the report last week. The King Pin had been altered from the original design. A large nut was replaced with brass and bronze locking ring and spacer. The weaker locking ring failed binding the king pin. You can hear the king pin shearing off in the video. And then the crane fell. Wind and load was a factor, but the biggest corner cut was not replacing with OEM parts/design.

 

I do it on the side for a company i used to work for but only run skid steers and 315's roller etc and but honestly I wouldn't drop out of school right now to do construction, unless you go to a mine or something... I know 3 of my friends that went under they had really successful contracting companies big 350's lost it all the times are bad stay in school. Not just that being certified these days means nothing, with so little work and so many people looking to work you will have a difficult time there's always someone with more experience looking... Not to be a downer but that's how it is. Hell I have a business degree and a csj diploma and all my tickets and experience and I had a hard time finding a job for the summer going back to school in September... But yeah I used to do construction and when its good it pay's, but when times suck you ain't working... That was kinda negative but hey its how it is. But If you are not gonna go back to school you may wanna try and make friends in the field so they can maybe give you an edge to get in otherwise go back to school because the construction jobs will still be there once you finish school. I guess it also depends on the location.

 

Depends on where you are at. We are staying pretty busy here around KC....However as a new apprentice you will have a little harder time getting steady work at first unless you are exceptional on a piece of equipment. also state jobs require so many minorities and apprentices so that could be in your favor as well. Its not a bad gig, but there sure are a lot of other things id seek out first if i were you. Good luck.

 

Operating Engineer. 25 years Heavy Highway Local 324. Grader/Dozer, Finish GPS, Blah blah blah... Stay in it, the pension is killer

 

Crap, I just post dated myself ? That not exactly correct either, -just sounds that way lol.

 

That's music to my ears there Brew

 

Thanks, - I had a rather long post for the OP, -sort of How To. Damn Post was deleted. Not sure why, that's the second time that's happened this month. I also commented on others posts in this thread... That Sucks..