Bye Bye Bondo

[jonny]

I recently quit my job in the Auot body trade and am currently seeking employment in the construction trade as a carpenter. I attended BCIT's entry level carpentry program in '99 and have worked part time in construction on small jobs since. I have all my own tools and tranportation. My OFA level 2 is valid till March of '07. I know there are some construction people on this forum, if you can help me out I would appreciate it. If you have any info- post, Pm or call me at 604 783 8547.

I need a better paying job so I can buy more parts for my notch.

Thanks for looking.
Jon

[Matt]

Good luck with your job change. I hope it all works out for you.

[doubledoor]

Try a company called PCL i use to work for them and i know they are always looking for people.
They always have ads in the paper.
Hope this helps

[Mike Scott]

Send your resume to

Pile Drivers Union

or PM if interested

Mike

[jonny]

Hey Double Door,
Where is the best place to go wwhen looking for work with PCL? Main office or at a job site. Anyone specific I should talk to?
 

[James Buchan]

email me you resume too:

jbuchan@seaspan.com

[Hillbilly]

So ahhh.....WTF.....why is it you are getting out of the trade? Just askin cause Matt here has just done the same thing............I know it's not the best trade but I would like to know your reasons IE: tool costs flat rate , dust and  dirt ?.  Matt  buddy tell me why you switched!
   I have considered doing the same but I would have no place to put all my tools and crap and what  kind of job starts ya at 60 k a year ? and after 33 odd years it may be to late for me :unsure:
    Some times I really hate my job as far as work v/s pay and flat rate other shitty bodymen hackin cars beside ya  .But it is rewarding job in the fact that you are making somethiing look like new and it takes a certain amount of skill.
     So what is it that you guys liked and disliked in the trade......please tell me as I am planning to write a novel.one day......no really I am.
     PM me if that works better for you but let me know.
  Thanks Bill  

[jonny]

Oh boy this thread is in danger of turning into one big auto body bitch session.
                                                       
                                             SO I'LL START

First off let me say it is nice to meet you Hillybilly. I give huge respect to anyone who can stick with a trade like this as long as you have as it can be very trying at times as I am sure you can relate to much better than I can. I love watching guys with your experience work you make it look easy.

Anyway my reasons for leaving are as follows:
- In search of bigger paychecks. Not sure if I will find this but i feel i owe to myself to try.
- ICBC has made it very difficult for technicians to earn decent money in paint or body. EG. monthly performance standards, ADP estimate system the list goes on.
Did you know when the ADP system was first brought in the paint times were modified
to pay .68 hr for every hour on a work order.
-Equipment in the shop where i worked was a big issue. We had two Chart pulling towers floor pots and P4's for frame repair. What is that like 1970's technology. Measuring equipment consisted of trams bars frame gauges and a wedgeclamp system, and the wedge clamp was purchased to meet minimun icbc carshop requirements otherwise my boss would never have pryed the money out of his pocket for it.
-60,000 dollars a year sounds good but can be very difficult to acheive in the auto collision industry. I had many weeks where i would sit idle for several days at the beginning of the seek due to lack of work only to have to bust my ass straight thru to Saturday night when the work did show just to salvage a decent weeks pay for myself. What i am saying is collision repair is feast or famine.
-The shop where i worked the owner/operator lacked motivation in pursuing new clients so workloads began to drop off substantially in the last few years.
-Personally i feal a qualified collision repair tech is worth considerably more than 60k a year. Afterall we do take peoples lives and the lives of their families in our hads everytime we walk into that shop. If a vehicle is improperly repaired and someone is injured or killed as a result of that due to a failure or subsequent accident guess who gets sued. Yep you guessed it the technician who repaired the vehicle. Doctors take peoples lives in their hands on a daily basis and look what they get paid.
-I hate drug addicts and alcoholics and this industry is full of 'em. Apparently i owe all these phsycos a favor 'cause their parents didn't hug them enough.

One of the painters where i used to worked summed it best saying:
\"i love what i do for a living, but i hate my job\".

Fixing cars for a living is fun, rewarding work. The collision repair industry sucks.

Even after 33 years 'Billy it is never to late to make a positive change. Good luck with your book.

[Matt]

My reason is the same as Jonny's first point.

Bigger paychecks.

However the truck repair industry compared to cars is night and day. We still had road guys to do the estimating when I left, but direct repair was on its way in. The times for repairs was large, where 100+ hours per paycheck was the norm, and I didn't work exceptionally hard for it either. When we did get a car in the shop, I wondered how a car tech makes a living with the times given.

We had a frame machine that was older than dirt, and on more than one occasion I was scared for my well being using it.
I have over $10,000 in tools and I never had enough to do the job. Mechanics can write tools off but collision techs couldn't. I did everything a heavy equiptment mechanic would do, except the insides of an engine, and  was paid considerably less.

I was also tired of the customer base.  Truck drivers are the cheapest S.O.B's around and constantly wanted something for free.

I don't know what the deal is with that trade, but like Jonny said, it is way to full with crack heads and alcholics to deal with everyday.

That's just some of my reasoning, the biggest is of course the possibility for increased income, I owed it to myself to explore the opportunity put before me.
 

[doubledoor]

Jonny go to   pcl.com and take a look and see what there is.
They are big on skills that are down on paper.
IE.Tickets.
Hope this helps  

[Lanny]

Today I start  my new job, building hot rods, NOT doing any more bodywork/paint. You can make a change! Some reasons;   Drunks/coke heads, isocyanates, lazy co-workers, 250+ hours color sanding and polishing one car ,  AND paint supplies that are getting worse and worse to use. Pretty tough to lay down a nice smooth coat of hi solids clear compared to the old days, although it is marginally better for the atmosphere. Crazy SOBs spraying without a mask..can't have a smoke with a mask on.. Painters with black  paint stained hands..refusing to wear gloves..nuts. On and on..  Good luck with the job hunt!

[AlanU]

I have over $10,000 in tools and I never had enough to do the job. Mechanics can write tools off but collision techs couldn't.

I was also tired of the customer base.  Truck drivers are the cheapest S.O.B's around and constantly wanted something for free.


That's just some of my reasoning, the biggest is of course the possibility for increased income, I owed it to myself to explore the opportunity put before me.

Hey matt,

Elaborate on writing off tools for mechanics I cant unless I try the \"grey area\" of fooling the tax man by saying I'm a contractor. Even that you must have at least 3 clients i believe to be able to write off tools.  $10,000 on tools for me is only a small portion of what I have. Luckily the tools I have and my shop has is grown over the years.

People are cheap period. When someone looks on, and sees me using an impact hammer to loosen off a rusty piece of crap bolt from suspension parts they just see a tool. Funny thing is an impact hammer kit cost me 600bucks from Snapon. Then customers whine about getting billed 500 bucks or so for certain repairs. Its hard to keep a straight face and smile when people are being cheap asses. I see it coming when people approach me and say \"Hello my friend......\" or \"can you do me a favor......\"  or \" Hey brother....\"  \"give me a quote on slapping pads on my front brakes....\"  Gets tiresome. I just gotta love people buying old used Range Rovers and Mercedes and BMW's  and whine how much dealerships charges and ask if I can fix them cheaper. Hahahahaha I normally and politely tell them to buy a honda and ask if they need a kleenex. If ya got the bucks to drive them, you got the bucks to repair them. If your posing that you do have $$$ usually it bites them in the ass.

Thing is its all about making a living.

Jonny good luck with your quest.

[woodsy]

Hey

I respect the fact that you are trying to better yourself and find something that is worth your skill and time.  But comparing yourself to a doctor... I heard this once a mechanic and a Doctor were talking while riding a bus... The conversation went something like this.  What do you do for a living sir Well i am a Doctor and you I am a mechanic.  The Mechanic says whats so hard about your job, I can diagnos a problem by ear, tear down and rebuild any combustion engine in a day have it running like brand new.  The Doctor just kinda smiles and says to the Mechanic ever try rebuilding an engine while its running!  I know in many industries especialy the ones we all work in we feal under paid and un-appreciated.  I work for a very large company on the Island here with close to 5000 employess with all trades and expertice and social demographics, and the fact is Alcohol and Drugs are a problem here also.  The grass may not be so much greaner on the other side but may be cut to look just a bit differnt.  Good luck in your job search.  

Woodsy  

[slammedbus]

I just got back from an appointment and it seems as though the pain in my hands while doing sanding,spraying, etc are the startings of arthritis. Didn't bother me before I started doing body work? I am going to be finishing up my obligations that are currently at my shop (because these will fund my bus's resto) and will most likely be shutting down shop myself. Even talked to the principal about making a switch to drafting/ CAD........not a good day boys.    I love what I do.

[Chris]

I just got back from an appointment and it seems as though the pain in my hands while doing sanding,spraying, etc are the startings of arthritis. Didn't bother me before I started doing body work? I am going to be finishing up my obligations that are currently at my shop (because these will fund my bus's resto) and will most likely be shutting down shop myself. Even talked to the principal about making a switch to drafting/ CAD........not a good day boys.    I love what I do.

dood your getting old, remember?

[epic3]

Off topic but for those reading anyone I mean anyone requiring to purchase tools and pay taxes on said tools can write them off all you need to do is fill out what (I think) is called a T22 and have your employer sign it any good accountant can put one of these forms in your hands. I was a stereo installer for 4 years before an accountant put one of theses in my hands and that very year my refund more than doubled being commision based same as flatrate I was even able to write off a percentage of my vehicle based on how much I needed it to do my job(time behind the wheel pickin up parts doing mobile work ect).  

[Hillbilly]

Off topic but for those reading anyone I mean anyone requiring to purchase tools and pay taxes on said tools can write them off all you need to do is fill out what (I think) is called a T22 and have your employer sign it any good accountant can put one of these forms in your hands. I was a stereo installer for 4 years before an accountant put one of theses in my hands and that very year my refund more than doubled being commision based same as flatrate I was even able to write off a percentage of my vehicle based on how much I needed it to do my job(time behind the wheel pickin up parts doing mobile work ect).

You know I have tried every route incuding that one ...employer stating that I needed tools for work....ect. But got turned down.
  The reason being is that you can not make more than ( at the time ) 60% of your income from one source.
I have monthly payments of 425.pm to snap on for a tool box over 4 years .This does not include the stuff you need to repair replace or update....that averages about 150 pm so in order to get a paycheque I put out about 600 bucks and there is no way you can claim that unless you meet those requirements.
   As far as I know mechanics can not claim thier tools....in fact I am pretty sure they can't....yet a musician can cliam his guitar strings.....AAARRRRGGGG.......
   Snap on tools has been trying to convince the fedral goverment to allow deductions( with petitions and stuff from thousands of people) for tools but has had no success
  Need a new air board 450 plus ...that sucks.
   Thanks for the imput here it is sad to see people getting out of the trade as there are not alot getting into it and when they do and the reality of it all sinks in they leave and ya can't blame them
 A well equiped plumber , constuction worker , ellectrician and so forth  combined does not need the dollar anount of tools that an body repair person requires to do thier job...and they don't have some bozo that has never fixed a car in thier life is telling you, you get x amount of time to fix that crunched Quater .
   Sorry about the ramble.LOL.................Bill    

[Chris]

You may be able to deduct the cost of eligible tools you bought in 2005 to earn employment income as an eligible apprentice mechanic. This cost includes any GST/HST and provincial sales tax you paid. You may be able to get a rebate of the GST/HST you paid. We discuss this rebate in Chapter 9. When completing Form GST370, Employee and Partner GST/HST Rebate Application, see if Situation 6 applies to you.

You are an eligible apprentice mechanic if you:

are registered in a program established under the laws of a province or territory that leads to a designation under those laws as a mechanic licensed to repair self-propelled motorized vehicles (such as automobiles, aircraft, boats, or snowmobiles); and
are employed as an apprentice mechanic.
An eligible tool is a tool (including associated equipment such as a tool box) that:

you acquired for use in connection with your employment as an eligible apprentice mechanic;
was not used for any purpose before you acquired it; and
your employer certified as being necessary for you to provide as a condition of, and for use in, your employment as an eligible apprentice mechanic.
Your employer has to complete and sign Form T2200, Declaration of Conditions of Employment. Have your employer complete questions 10 and 11 of Part B of the form to certify that the tools being claimed were bought and provided by you as a condition of your employment as an eligible apprentice mechanic. Attach to Form T2200 a list of the tools being claimed. You do not have to submit Form T2200 or your list of tools with your return. However, keep them in case we ask to see them.

 

[jonny]

Slammedbus,
Sorry to hear about your medical probs. that really sucks.

Woodsey,
I appreciate you opinion on the doctor comparision. I have a ton of respect for doctors and what they do and am in no way saying that i could ever hope to match the abiliities that some of those professionals bring to the table. The main comparision i am making is that Doctors and \"mechanics\"(and really tradespeople in general) are charged on a daily basis with the safety of others. There is obviously a difference in the degree that each profession does this but the same basic pricipal applies. I mainly feel that the trades people deserve a little more respect & dough for what we do.

Thank you to everyone for your input and help.

[kombikruiser]

hey jon

i'm a carpenter in vancouver, but i grew up in ladner. I drive a low blue 67 sedan. you've probably seen it around as my mom still lives there.

Any way, our crew just got a huge job in ubc doin a 12000 Sq custom home startin first of april. dont know if much will be happening in regards to hiring before that, but i could definitly look into it.

we should hang out and meet some time and go from there. let me know if its something you might be in to.

victor

[jonny]

Hey Victor,

Thanks for looking out for me, I appreciate that. I am currently working with a small reno company out of Ladner called Sherlock Const. owned by Chris Sherlock maybe you know him. I would be interested in hearing about oportunities with your company. PM me next time you are coming out to Ladner and we can meet up and talk then.

Thanks again Jon.

[~Manda]

  Truck drivers are the cheapest S.O.B's around and constantly wanted something for free.

 

  Is this what one calls Irony???

[Matt]

You know it!

[kombikruiser]

will do