Heavy Equipment Operator

propaganda huh? explain how u think thats propaganda? they tell u that when u sign up its in the rules how can that be propaganda when its in the contract?perty darn clear aint it?

I worked non-union when I lived in San diego. I was no longer a member because when I arrived in san diego I only needed 250 hours of work to become vested.....
Local 12 Dan Hahn f*ckd me out of that,, was on C list trying to get a dispatched to become a member of 12.
in two seasons they never called me for a dispatch.... and yes , i kept on them. time limit ran out for retirement.

so, tell me what I'm supposed to do.... unemployment does not go far in san diego with a family of 6.

i had no choice but to give it up.

which is why I moved to Oregon to get back in the union so that I can add to my central pension hours and get vested and continue membership......
however, when I moved here..... everything stopped. they didn't even get to the c list this year.

I am vested in the Laborers union....

anyway, I have not worked non union "while" a member of a local. or vice versa.....
when necessary,, for pure survival The BA in San Diego Did not give a crap whether I stayed or became member of their local....... so I suppose in a way he is the one who forced me away.

most ba dont care as long as you pay,i got hard up and didnt pay my dues one time and got suspended had to pay when i started working again,its not easy and its even harder with the lack of work wish that system would change but i seriously think unions are being busted on purpose as part of this whole globalization or whatever the they call it ,they want cheap labor and were being undercut everyday by illegals and outsourcing ,selling us out to corporations,the premium american worker with good skills and great stand up people are becoming a thing of the past,use to be fun to go to work ,laugh and joke and bull^# with the guys you work with seems like now everyone looks at eachother with suspicion or with an attitude ,seems weve lost our way as a nation ,no brotherhood or comradry like it use to be ,we need to really kick up this vote in 2010 and get these crooked politicians out of congress once and for good ,let them know what its like to seek work,id say alot of people are starting to wake up and get pissed its gonna be a hard year for incumbants and they know it,this is the worst congress in recent memmory if we dont purge the corruption next year i really feel like it could be our last shot to save the american workers as we know it oh that reminds me i saw a add on here for operators in boron ca up at the plant running loaders and what not up in the quarry ,but it said its due to lock out or strike,are they striking up there in boron?

Hay Guy's,
Just got home, after two major back surgery's... I'll be recovering for a few months..just saying

Stay Frosty

Kill_Dozer in Leesburg, Florida said: I was with Local 825 Operating engineers for 30 years. Retired in Feb 07. I was trained at our union school in Edison N.J. Then spent 2 years as an appentice operator before getting my book.
Guys Listen to an old operator you need REAL SEAT TIME on a working jobssite. All those Pay Schools are a ripe off. I work for a non-union company now here in florida. I have personly sent away over 20 people who said they were operators. In just 3 mins. I can tell if you have it or not!

you dont need to go to school guys i'v been operator for 15 years and no school for me im in texas

Ive been in construction my whole life being an ironworker and due to the economy,am out of work. I would like to learn to be a heavy equipment operator and will work hard from the bottom to get it. I am 31 years old and looking for work. Im in california and looking for anyone that will help me get a job or need help.

unfortunately, if your not tying iron, it means we are not digging either. I moved from san diego because it got so bad. i worked for a company that had mostly city, county, and federal contracts. we actually worked longer than other companies i knew. some had their own businesses for 30 years, and ultimately had to close their doors...

your best bet would be to go back to school if you can,, get a degree,, even a general one.

about the time we have enough work to train new people,, iron workers will be back in demand too.... maybe then you'll be able to get into another position. it will probably be dirt labor, but that is what it takes to learn an operator trade.

I was a materials handling operator in the air force, but that didn't give me experience for dirt work. I was in the Laborers union for 6 years before I learned enough to be knowledgeable about operating.... you really have to know what it is your trying to accomplish and the best way to execute the task, as well as the unseen hazards to avoid. the best way to do that is to be on the ground, learning it, seeing it first hand and observing and asking questions.

please do not get suckered in by those so called "operator certification courses"... they just show you how to pull levers,, and anyone can do that... it is very rare to find a company who will accept this type of certification. they actually laugh at it..

it takes alot of experience, on the ground and then in the seat to be a true operator. the equipment costs hundreds of thousands of dollars, they typically will not put a newly "certified" operator in the seat. damage can happen fast and easy..

the sc they will only leave you deep in debt. there really is no such thing as being "certified", unless your talking about crane.... and even that takes years and hours in the seat before you can move up the ranks of certification.
good luck to you

can anybody tell me if schlumberger is a good company and do they pay good do they give u a per diem im bout to start working for them as a equipment operator i wanna know what im getting into

looking for work in lv as heavey eqep operatercan you help marierraymond@yahoo.com thank you

i went to the ATS in WI this past winter. i got certified in levels 1,2 and 3 heavy equipment. it has now been about 6 months and the fact that im certified does not out weigh the fact that im not well experienced, and thats what seems all that matters to excavating companies. i just want to know how your supposed to get expereince when you cant get a job to get the expereince? im 21 years old and ive always wanted to be an operator...im starting to think about maybe trying to start my own company....overall im sayin the certification really isnt helping me at all as far as finding a job goes

you got cought up in their scam also.
i came close but knew better.they told me all kinds of BS about how easy it would be to get a job.i called around first and found different.now with the economy it dont matter any way.

its not what you know its hooooo you noooooooooooo lollll

maybe you should tell them your from mexico and you will get hired right away,and tell them you got 4 keeeeds and need that paycheck for beer money and your willing to work for 15 dollars a day so you can send it back to mehico,seems like the only ones working here are mexicans even with stimulus projects,them jobs are suppossed to go to americans we are so phucked and dont believe the rumors its getting worse not better,wait until the stimulus runs out ,the housing tanks again,and the dollar crashes and all the unemployment checks end that school wont do much good on the soupline...see u there ill be the one with the shopping cart cardboard house thanx obama i got change

Thia sucks big time my son went to the school and they told him that also and he still hasn't gotten a job. Nobody won't hirer him because he does'nt have the
experences.And your right how are you suppose to get it if nobody will give you a chance Soneone should stop this school so that people dont' have to pay for something they can't use.

I went to ACT in alabama. They got me with the job placement. It was 10k, They said to keep tring and hang in there a job will come along, keep tring. Well they can just hang in there for the monthly pament.

Gotta love Obama.... Stimulate THIS !!

Mike in Victorville, California said: Im a Local 12 journeyman with 25 years experience looking for any kind of employment. I have ran loaders,dozers, excavator, blade hand, and have worked in a rock crushing plant. I have worked for a lot of large union outfits, but times are slow. Im a very hard worker looking for a good job. Also I have a fork lift license. Im planning to get my class A license also. Thanks hope to hear from someone soon .

Dear Mike I have an old high school friend that has asked me to refer him some heavy equipment operators for a project in the Panama. His name is Dave Burton and I chose you because your comment was heartfelt by me. I myself was laid off from a Hospital after 10 yrs. Here is Dave Burton's email lvkaraokedave@yahoo.com tell him you were referred by Suzie Begley (Alexander) good luck hope this helps you..suzie

union heavy equipment operator with over 20 years of experience in all phases of site work road construction.Looking for any type of heavy equipment work also have very good refrences from numerous union companies in Mass.

Fester McGuu said: Hay Guy's,
Just got home, after two major back surgery's... I'll be recovering for a few months..just saying

Stay Frosty

It's been that long...wtf an I doing...well I'm enjoying my retirement. Doc say's "I can't work", Gov't says "take this money"
My Freshmen is starting fullback for a Div. 1 team here in Ohio. I taught him every dirty, cheating, low life trick ...I knew.
My back is healing...and believe it or not..it needs alot more healing. I've never had something kick my butt "for such a long time".... NO, I don't take pain meds anymore..just some Advil, and Lyrica for my Fibromalagia(Gulf War Symdrom...That's another topic, for a rainy day.)

Hopefully you guys will ck in...and let Ol'e Fester know how you are..

Stay Frosty

Hi I don't know you and you don't know me however, first lets address the back issue. I have been a pain reliever for 27 years and here are some very helpful things that won't cost much and yet help alot. If you have an old speaker you are not using open the netting in the front reach inside and remove the big round magnet. Put it in a sock and use it when you drive or are in your chair watching t.v. It really does draw pain from the body. When you are not using maggie place her on fridge to draw power. Share this will all ur buddies it will help. Also, Fibro start by taking a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar a day don't miss. MSM is a circulatory mineral and will really help circulate and then energy gets better. The vinegar dissolves uric acid in body great for artheritis. Now I got you off of a message board needing work. My friend in the Panama has a project where there is heavy equipment needed but it is a mute point since you cannot work. Hope this helps you alot...suzanne

suzanne in Sacramento, California said: Hi I don't know you and you don't know me however, first lets address the back issue. I have been a pain reliever for 27 years and here are some very helpful things that won't cost much and yet help alot. If you have an old speaker you are not using open the netting in the front reach inside and remove the big round magnet. Put it in a sock and use it when you drive or are in your chair watching t.v. It really does draw pain from the body. When you are not using maggie place her on fridge to draw power. Share this will all ur buddies it will help. Also, Fibro start by taking a tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar a day don't miss. MSM is a circulatory mineral and will really help circulate and then energy gets better. The vinegar dissolves uric acid in body great for artheritis. Now I got you off of a message board needing work. My friend in the Panama has a project where there is heavy equipment needed but it is a mute point since you cannot work. Hope this helps you alot...suzanne

Thanks for the help.... I got a magnet in the Hospital...I think the Insurance Co. paid 5K for it...wtf.
I'll try the other suggestions suzanne.

Panama is a nice place....Thanks for thinking of me
Stay Frosty

Hi well the reason I suggested the speaker is because it is the power in the magnet. Awhile back there were magnets all over the place but they were made to look pretty and that is not what people need. The power in magnet language is called GAUSS and so if you find that the magnet u are using is not strong try the other. It makes sense that a magnet that can draw sound waves would be pretty powerful don't ya think? My suggestions are things I really know about for years. I am a Reflexologist. No I am not crazy get your self a golf ball place it on your carpet when your back hurts stand up on the golf ball on the nerve that corresponds to your spine (google foot chart). Here is the most wonderful small bottle of oil I have used for going on 28 years not. WHATE FLOWER OIL. Google OMNIMART.COM once the site comes up, order yourself a bottle of this Healing Oil. It should be about 7.00 for a large bottle (still small bottle). Once you use this oil on back I will receive one happy guy's email of thanks. I believe they have a search bar so type in WHITE FLOWER OIL. The Asian doc that trained me has had this oil in his family since he was 8 yrs old. Every nerve in the bottom of our feet goes with problems that we have in our body...good luck...suz

Wat up.....?

Fester McGuu in Dayton, Ohio said: Wat up.....?

what you people don't realize is that this country is in trouble, you can go to school and all that but if there isn't enuff jobs out there guess what you ain't going to find a job! be glad you went to school and learned a trade and somewhere down the road it will be helpful, because if guys like me that are fully certified in all types of cranes and 24 years of experience is having a hard time finding jobs yes jobs not a (job) that leaves you at the bottom of the list! quit crying that your school ripped you off!your certified right? again times are tough right now and they have been for 3 years and counting..... i was working in Miami Fla when the bottom fell out, I've been all over this country working living out of a duffel bag away from my family just to make this payment or which can i pay this month which one i cant, damn if you spent as much energy looking for a job as you do crying you'd probably be working right now!

rudepuppy in Miami, Florida said: what you people don't realize is that this country is in trouble, you can go to school and all that but if there isn't enuff jobs out there guess what you ain't going to find a job! be glad you went to school and learned a trade and somewhere down the road it will be helpful, because if guys like me that are fully certified in all types of cranes and 24 years of experience is having a hard time finding jobs yes jobs not a (job) that leaves you at the bottom of the list! quit crying that your school ripped you off!your certified right? again times are tough right now and they have been for 3 years and counting..... i was working in Miami Fla when the bottom fell out, I've been all over this country working living out of a duffel bag away from my family just to make this payment or which can i pay this month which one i cant, damn if you spent as much energy looking for a job as you do crying you'd probably be working right now!

I second that! My man is a union operator that can't even find work right now with 15 years experience. He is packing up as we speak to try and go anywhere he can to try and get us by...... And he even has pipeline experience ...

Hey everyone, well i am from globe az and is interested in going to a heavy equipment school, where should i go........

David in Miami, Arizona said: Hey everyone, well i am from globe az and is interested in going to a heavy equipment school, where should i go........

join a union work hard and they will put you through school and it wont cost you nothing!

what union are we talking about,

i tried to join the local 49 union in mn and they dont seem to want any new members even with training and a few years of experiance.went in a took a skills test and did very well and then went to hall to join and find work and was turned away

Local 49 uh, well i found this local 438 i believe and it here in casa grande, Az but i have not contacted them yet but will, are you working now.

I can't figure out why all of you guys are so anxious to enter such a horrible industry, even when times are good you had better have some type connection for work or you will sit on an out-of-work list, no matter how good you are or think you are because of the rampant nepotism and corruption in this union. They manipulate the out-of-work lists,screw people out of retirement credits and they don't address grievances because contractors actually sit on the unions board, just a little conflict of interest. Then there are the moron business agents who make six-figures running from job to job with there hand out making sure dues are paid.The only people they represent are themselves. It's a miserable way to live, long hours and 100 mile commutes working with a bunch of losers and morons in a contentious hostile work environment. Go get some education or training that will lead to a real job, this is an extremely unstable industry DON'T DO IT! If you still have to do it go non-union it will still suck but at least you will be free from union politics. There will be very little work for years to come because of the economy so don't ruin your life!

what u say is all true and i cant argue with any of it,been operating for 25 years now union and non union now because nc isnt very union friendly ,i would have to say though that when compared to other trades i earn more hourly versus hours worked even when its bad and i can do this job without serious physical harm {other than back problems} well into retirement years {scrapers excluded of course} but as far as union politics when i was in socal local 12,you are correct miserable experience even when work was good,nonunion is the way to go unless u know or are related to someone,and youall know its true whether u admit it or not,the non union company i work for pays me well above scale for this area and keeps me busy and i dont have to kiss the foremans ass or get high with the owners son and be in the click just to keep a job like them union boys out in cali

HI=================

bstruckman in New York, New York said: And he even has pipeline experience ...

Bad times for pipeline as well. Hubby is a foreman for a large pipeline contractor. The last two years have been horrible for pipeline work. We had been steady working, 100+ hours a week for 69 months and then the bottom dropped out. Now many operators and welders are sitting idle waiting for this supposed infrastructure building to occur. The hiring boom the pipeline had in the early 2000's created an overabundance of qualified hands who now can't find a job until our government changes it's stranglehold on the work. And apparently we can kiss Keystone XL good-bye....

plenty of work....for illegals ,thats all that our infrastructer is paying hell go to any jobsite here and 95% illegals working and e-verify my arrsssse thats a big joke as well if you havent figured it out yet the government is a puppet of the corporations that want illegals competing with us for jobs one big pyrimid scheme freedom is a fantasy the constitution is just a piece of paper ,stock up on beans bullets and bandaids,america as we know it is gone you and i are the enemy of the state

Guess we are lucky, because hubbies contractor does NOT hire illegals. Hubby brings in 50% of his hands and the union hall supplies the other 50%. But I agree that it is aggravating competing for what little work there is anymore against contractors who do hire illegally. After 30+ years, 48 states and 6 foreign countries, we are thinking that it may be time to go "overseas" again.... Sad..just sad....

I paid for a level 3 certification with ATS in Lecanto FL and 3 1/2 yrs later not one job. I moved from FL to TX to see if i could find something in TX. I gave up looking for an HEO job the market is flooded with 'HEO grads' looking for work, every company wants 2-4 yrs experience. Where do you get that here. Im stuck paying back 20G's. I still keep in contact with a few from the class and they're all in the same situation. All these Heavy equipment schools need to be closed down and a class action law suite needs to be put in place to give people their hard earned money back! Stay away from Heavy Equipment schools! (like Associated Training Services. ATS)

david broman in Jacksonville, Florida said: im in the same boat, i went to a school in dothan, al, same stuff 10,000 and no job!

if i were you guys i would not pay these scm schools a dime.
no job no money.
tell them to shick it up their ass and dont pay them.
if people stop paying these scm schools they would stop ripping people off but as long as suckers keep paying these crockerd basterds they will keep scamming students.
whts theh worst thing they can do,take you to court were you then agree to pay then 10 bucks a month.

20 grand to go to school to be an operator, what are you guys on dope? i learned the good old fashioned way, became a oiler, for a crane company hooked up with some good operators and went from there.... 24 years later dont look back still working.... yea times are hard and had to live out of a duffle bag from time to time, remember if it sounds too good to be true it probably is......you guys ain't going to find a job crying about this and crying about that. I can "run" operate anything i sit into and i'm certified by nccco and still have a hard time finding a job in todays market. the reason they look for experienced operators is because sooooo many have lied about operating this and that and got into trouble screwing up some machine they had no bussiness being in in the first place..... i use to make 100 k a year for some time now until 2008 and lost about 35 k out of my pocket for the last 3 years and traveled from here to there... so hang in there guys and your families, one more thing before i close i remember what my father always told me... son... you must crawl before you walk....may GOD bless all of you and your families.....

If any of you guys went to ATS and got the $10,000 loan through Sallie Mae and you have paid thousands and your principle amount is not going down and you have not found employment in this field. Send me a e-mail at unloaned@hotmail.com Thanks....

We should all just stop what were doing and send you our credit card #

......lol

I'd rather drink a gaoolon of whiskey, and smoke big fattys with the dOg.

Thax AnyWay !!

Fester! What have you been up to?

peaking in the girls room....how about you ?

II was working in New mexico and Texas. waiting for next gig.

I had a similar experience. I moved from Minnesota to Seattle. I spent a year on the C list. I went out and got a job at a non-union company and did a non-sanction "salt". If your not familiar, many times a union will ask a member to work for a non-union company to get inside and convince employees to go union. I did it on my own, but if it is sanction by the union, you are paid you wage plus the union scale. I did it on my own, which is frowned upon. However, when the company didn't organize I got a call the next day to go to work.