School Graduates Listen Up!

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Comments (33)

Jason Morgan in Fayetteville, Arkansas

51 months ago

If you spent 15 years running stakes, there must be SOMETHING wrong with you.. Maybe you are just jealous that there are smarter people out there that are getting EDUCATED and not spending half thier lifes wasting time like you.. You spent 15 years before running a machine... I spent TWO DAYS.. Come on Rudy-boy.. Who's the loser?

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Shocked & Appalled in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

51 months ago

Wow! Lots of anger here! I feel sorry for you and will pray that you are able to let go of your deep-seated hatred. I can't believe you were even allowed to post such a hateful and profane message. Shame on you!

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Ryan in South Lake Tahoe, California

51 months ago

Sorry about my angry responce to that first post. Ive worked in construction my hole life, but I want everyone to suceed! Anyone hues looking to get into a school, I say good luck and I wish you the best. I currentely operate a snow-cat at a ski resort and have exp. on forklifts, backhoes, and commercial trucking. Im hopeing to start a HEO school in about 5 weeks and planning to do alot of rechearch before I pick one and will share any info I find. Anyone knows a good school let me know and ill do the same. Thanks and sorry about the profanity.

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Eric V in Spartanburg, South Carolina

48 months ago

Rudy-boy in Chicago, Illinois said: Earth Maggot you rule!!1 These dumb @ss mther f!ckers think their sh!t dont stink coming right out of school. Listen you little school boy losers I ran stakes for 15 years before I got the right to operate the big stuff, you think you are gonna take my fking job you better get a life before I fkg kick it into next week. Live and Learn! Dont mess with me and the maggot man!!

Keep it yellow!!

I'm finishing school and I know my s@#t stinks Im just trying to get a better life for my family

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me in Powell, Wyoming

48 months ago

Rudy-boy in Chicago, Illinois said: Earth Maggot you rule!!1 These dumb @ss mther f!ckers think their sh!t dont stink coming right out of school. Listen you little school boy losers I ran stakes for 15 years before I got the right to operate the big stuff, you think you are gonna take my fking job you better get a life before I fkg kick it into next week. Live and Learn! Dont mess with me and the maggot man!!

Keep it yellow!!

your the dumb ass! running stakes for 15 years? sounds to me like they had a pretty good reason NOT to put you on "the big stuff"!RETARD!

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diselmaniac in Burns, Tennessee

48 months ago

Its amazing to me how people would actualy pay for a school to run grading equipment,what do they teach you in the school?dont run over the foreman...lolz,,what happend to climb on, drop the blade, and push till you figure it out?i mean its not rocket science, and it seems to involve a bit of brain matter that your either born with or not and no teacher is going to give that to you.forget the schools gentalmen find find someone with a tractor and run it...

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Don Weimer in Eugene, Oregon

48 months ago

To the skeptics, I am one of at least ten Heavy Equipment Operators in my family. I was born into the underground construction industry. I was fortunate to have one of the best teachers in the industry train me. I buried him two years ago, he died from skin cancer just like his brother. My father taught me first how to operate at the age of twelve, then put me in the ditch and there I stayed until I learned to work and work hard. When I left home at the age of twenty and moved from the Arizona desert to southern Calif. I got a job as a laborer and worked my way to the seat. In 8 months I was operating full time. I spent 18 years in calif. and had worked my way into a truck. I spent 6 years as a forman/supervisor. The next step would be owner. I developed the first signs of skin cancer and decided to move to Oregon to extend my life span. As most people know Oregon is very seasonal when it comes to Equipment Operating But I found A job believe it or not working as an Instructor in one of those HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATOR SCHOOLS that some people, it seems have nothing nice to say about. Well for those that are wondering im here to be honest with you. Yes, some people should save their money, but I recommend the Schools to those who are seriously considering making a life time commitment to the trade. I was very successful when I worked in the field, I have an excellent reputation and could go back to work tomorrow for anyone I have ever worked for If I chose to. I left a job that payed 50 + an hour to teach for less then 20 just because I wanted to live a little longer. I too when in the field would joke and laugh about backhoe school. We all thought it was a joke. Well Ladies and Gentelmen I have been humbled. I currently teach Industry Math,trench safety,traffic control,blue print reading,the safe operation of Heavy Equip. and much much more. So for anyone who thinks that you are wasting your money By coming to School, maybe you are.

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Karl the heavy equipment guy in Winchester, California

45 months ago

Don from Oregon makes alot of sense.Kuddos to you Don. My opinions of schools is this.My company hired guy from one of these schools.He had all the certs,print reading,maintenance,backhoe,dozer ect.He couldn't tell the difference between scd40 pipe and a garden hose.That was him.Another guy I met turned out to be a top hand in his company.You make the most of your learning where ever you get it and you will do well

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bigdaddywarbucks in Manteca, California

45 months ago

Well, you all have never seen the place I have Northern cal has a school that all they do is let you run the machines around back and forth and they call this training. they have a guy in level two his name is tom. He must have the biggest head on a person that i've ever met. In the classroom he would read the book or should I say he would make the class read the book!! then he give the test out to all the students and they cover the answers in class. no wonder everyone pass his class he gave us all the answers.Thats why nobody learns anything a monkey could pass that class. they had one good guy who taught me alot but of course they let him go! They are the worst bunch of lairs I've ever met the campus president is some lady that doesn't even know the business at all she will tell you anything to get your money and sign up, then once your in she closes her door and says she's in a conferance call, but this was all day every day. I know a class mate that tryed to make a complaint and she blamed everything on the only guy who did any real teaching there!I wish I knew the corp. number I would love to report that lady. I heard her one day tell some person that she was at the bank and was trying to cash this persons check but she was sitting in her office WHAT LIAR. she was also told of students doing drugs and did nothing about it. did want to lose any of that money! So now you have a school that is run by a liar and a person who would do or say anything to make herself out to look good!! BUYERS BEWARE OF NORHTERN CALIFORNA COLLEGE OF CONS!!

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katdadyA in Corona, California

45 months ago

I am wanting to go to an operator school here in cal. I want the best learning experiance. But reading these comments have me worried. I have been in construction for 7 years and love it i been playing on the big toys now for about 1 year, and love it. So school seems to be the next step. Any feedback would be great. But please save your super neg. i want to make a good decision.

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Karl the heavy equipment guy in Winchester, California

45 months ago

katdadyA
If the company you are with has some experienced operators , Have these guys show you what, when,why and how to do it .I dont know what you've been doing, but there's a difference being an "operator" and an Operating Engineer.You can take a chimp and a bunch of bananas and in an hour havethe chimp pushing and pulling levers .Take the time to learn to be an OE .As far as a school.I have written several schools to discuss ciriculum,training methods ect. None have responded so I cannot make any recomendation as far as schools are concerned. Good luck to you ,if I can answer any more questions write me back.

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earthworm in Langley, Arkansas

45 months ago

If it took you 15 yrs to get on a piece of equipment, maybe you should have went on to something else...

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Brittney K in West Linn, Oregon

45 months ago

I was born and raised on a farm and yes i am a women. I have been operating machinery since i was 12. Just in the past couple of years i have started working for an excavation company and love what i do. I am not just an equipment operator i do it all and i love it. I am looking to relocate and most of the people that are hiring the good pay companys want someone that is certified. I have just now been looking for schools to go to and i am sure there is alot for me to learn. Just becuase i have been operating equipment for 15 years doesn't mean i know it all and i want to be the best out there, so extending my education well get me on the way. I have heard of people that have been operating for 30 years going back and getting their certification because they company they work for or one they are trying to get hired on with now required them to be certified.

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tony t in Longwood, Florida

44 months ago

i am sorry that your dad beat you when you were little . dont bring the rest of us down, remember its ok to look just dont stare move on kid!

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Theron Cungtion in Des Plaines, Illinois

44 months ago

to tomy t i would reply but your not worth me wasting my breath!I wish i could meet uu, well you no how I would approach U!!!!!!

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Torri in Citrus Heights, California

43 months ago

bigdaddywarbucks in Manteca, California said: Well, you all have never seen the place I have Northern cal has a school that all they do is let you run the machines around back and forth and they call this training. they have a guy in level two his name is tom. He must have the biggest head on a person that i've ever met. In the classroom he would read the book or should I say he would make the class read the book!! then he give the test out to all the students and they cover the answers in class. no wonder everyone pass his class he gave us all the answers.Thats why nobody learns anything a monkey could pass that class. they had one good guy who taught me alot but of course they let him go! They are the worst bunch of lairs I've ever met the campus president is some lady that doesn't even know the business at all she will tell you anything to get your money and sign up, then once your in she closes her door and says she's in a conferance call, but this was all day every day. I know a class mate that tryed to make a complaint and she blamed everything on the only guy who did any real teaching there!I wish I knew the corp. number I would love to report that lady. I heard her one day tell some person that she was at the bank and was trying to cash this persons check but she was sitting in her office WHAT LIAR. she was also told of students doing drugs and did nothing about it. did want to lose any of that money! So now you have a school that is run by a liar and a person who would do or say anything to make herself out to look good!! BUYERS BEWARE OF NORHTERN CALIFORNA COLLEGE OF CONS!!

I do not know what school you went to, however I can say that the one I am attending has tought me alot. They have great instructors and you get as much out of it as you put in.

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bigdaddywarbucks in Beverly Hills, California

43 months ago

Torri in Citrus Heights, California said: I do not know what school you went to, however I can say that the one I am attending has tought me alot. They have great instructors and you get as much out of it as you put in.

If you are going to school at norcal college you are wasting your money you will never get a job!!!

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ron shuman in Belleview, Florida

34 months ago

hey guys...what is wrong with going to school..I had some seat time in the union in 94..didnt have much work so went on to other things...just finished..ATS..in lecanto..man only could afford the 3 week course..which I hear equals about 2 years in the seat..the reason we are taught by people that have atleast 30 or so years in the trades...they can get you on a piece of equiptment and say o.k. do this..or change that or what ever to get you right..man after 3 weeks I can grade with a loader like Ive been on a finish dozer for years..so on the job you would probably only learn to load trucks...it would take years to learn to grade even if or when you could ever fiqure it out..got pretty good and fast on a back hoe..already had tim on a trac hoe....so I really think that if I had about one year on basic equiptment...I would go against any one with 5 yers or so learning on their own. I know there are a lot of self taught operators that are good ...and man ..I wished I had an old man to have been able to sit next to,at 5. but some of us didnt...so dont knock schools..they give you a good foundation..then you get seat time and different pieces of equiptment..and you really become a great operator. and one thing I did learn from our instructors that owned their own companys..that they would hire a student over someone with accer certification..because a 20 yr. man brings with him 20years of bad habits and ways of doing things..when you have been taught safty,how to take care of your equiptment,and hoew to operate..you have a clean slate..so now I ve been out of school for two days ..and we have a site for us with employers that like to hire grads.there are over 400 and they work all over the world...so instead of posting on a lame site like this for work..whick i dont see any jobs listed..you need to take your 20years exp..to a school,and get accer certifed..and you wont be crying for work for long....

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Dan the bucket man in Hesperia, California

34 months ago

Well sounds like somebody from 90210 probably had everything handed to him, how is it possible to waste your time in school if you want to learn and improve your self, the system will weed them out.
Ron is right it's the grumpy guy with the bad habits or the alcoholics who don't know there limit, or the one who things they do better on a job if they smoke a little, I know I'd take my chance with some I can teach my way that's dependable and wont tell me to _ off! I'll do it my way! so all you @#$% heads with 20 or 40 experience there should be no excuses to not be working if your so good, where's all them contacts through out the years, you might want to go back to school and learn something new and maybe the right way or easier way to do something. Hell! Deep Creek is only $4900.00 and he'll teach you more then ATS. It's all about your attitude, and I see a bunch of @#$%^ out there. So School kids! don't let these guys discourage you most of them problem don't even know what GPS is. It's slow right now keep ur heads up. Sorry if I offended anyone

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ron shuman in Belleview, Florida

34 months ago

dan thank you for the back up, some people just dont get it. it reminds me of when I was a young tile apprentice, the old guys were scared of you,you know maybe take their job. but Im not a young man now, just want to work like anyone else. Im always a day late and a dollar short,was in the operators local 925 in 1994,worked on a gas pipeline,after the job was over they didnt have anything. had to feed the family,started home improvements. now thats gone caput. so thought Id try to go to school,had a lot of fun,met some good guys,and lerned to be a pretty good loader operator,and not to bad on a back hoe, had some seat time allready on a trac hoe..in 1994. and I wasnt the oldest guy in the class ,but allmost.is there anywork out your way? if they ever turn that stimulas money out we may see some here,so untill then,I will travel if needed..thanks again...you sound like a real nice guy,smart too.thanks ron

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wantabe operator in Raleigh, North Carolina

33 months ago

Iam thanking about going to a school and there are 3 i am looking at the earthmover school in florida,ats in south carolins and allied training center in Dothan Ala. which is 3 weeks and 1 pc. of epuipment. ats which is 3 levels and a lot of money, and earthmover which seems to me the best choice, a lot of equipment and both class and seat. if anyone knows about these schools let hear about it.

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james in Lucan, Ontario

32 months ago

Ryan in South Lake Tahoe, California said: Sorry about my angry responce to that first post. Ive worked in construction my hole life, but I want everyone to suceed! Anyone hues looking to get into a school, I say good luck and I wish you the best. I currentely operate a snow-cat at a ski resort and have exp. on forklifts, backhoes, and commercial trucking. Im hopeing to start a HEO school in about 5 weeks and planning to do alot of rechearch before I pick one and will share any info I find. Anyone knows a good school let me know and ill do the same. Thanks and sorry about the profanity.

Ijust finished a H.E. trade course, they made it quick n easy. Free accommodations got me, but all n all after looking up several schools I chose 5TH Wheel Training, with campus's all over. Good luck with ur trade training

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Former Instructor in Monterey Park, California

31 months ago

bigdaddywarbucks in Manteca, California said: Well, you all have never seen the place I have Northern cal has a school that all they do is let you run the machines around back and forth and they call this training. they have a guy in level two his name is tom. He must have the biggest head on a person that i've ever met. In the classroom he would read the book or should I say he would make the class read the book!! then he give the test out to all the students and they cover the answers in class. no wonder everyone pass his class he gave us all the answers.Thats why nobody learns anything a monkey could pass that class. they had one good guy who taught me alot but of course they let him go! They are the worst bunch of lairs I've ever met the campus president is some lady that doesn't even know the business at all she will tell you anything to get your money and sign up, then once your in she closes her door and says she's in a conferance call, but this was all day every day. I know a class mate that tryed to make a complaint and she blamed everything on the only guy who did any real teaching there!I wish I knew the corp. number I would love to report that lady. I heard her one day tell some person that she was at the bank and was trying to cash this persons check but she was sitting in her office WHAT LIAR. she was also told of students doing drugs and did nothing about it. did want to lose any of that money! So now you have a school that is run by a liar and a person who would do or say anything to make herself out to look good!! BUYERS BEWARE OF NORHTERN CALIFORNA COLLEGE OF CONS!!

Well Mr. Warbucks I understand what you are feeling I am the instructor they let go. And for what it's worth they have a new president at the school. Unfortunatley Tom is still there. It seems like the instructors that are honest with the students they let us go quick. I looked up on the site and I see that the crane instructor is gone maybe he wised up and left or fir

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Richie in Riverbank, California

31 months ago

Only the union has real instructers.
I've been running Equipment for over 20 years.
Paid for Private school, somewhat of a mistake. 1984
Very few jobs for Equipment Operators these days.
Go to College !!!!

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Richie in Riverbank, California

31 months ago

Any job openings let me know ?

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Six FT in Los Angeles, California

31 months ago

I agree with you I was with the local 12 for 15 yrs out here and the only real thing to do now is go back to school; however, I beg to differ about the union is the only place having real operators I met many operators that weren't union and they were excellent I also met union workers that couldn't operate for nothing so it is a catch 22.

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Six FT in Los Angeles, California

31 months ago

Richie in Riverbank, California said: Any job openings let me know ?

Yes, Cal Trans is looking for operators and Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Sacramento Counties are looking

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Six FT in Los Angeles, California

31 months ago

Six FT in Los Angeles, California said: I agree with you I was with the local 12 for 15 yrs out here and the only real thing to do now is go back to school; however, I beg to differ about the union is the only place having real operators I met many operators that weren't union and they were excellent I also met union workers that couldn't operate for nothing so it is a catch 22.

Sorry I meant instructors not operators

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jabotee in Carmichael, California

29 months ago

To get a job in cal trans.
1. monitor their web site for open testing.
2. When the test for the position you want comes up you take it.
3. If you pass their test and land in the top percentile you have a
shot at the job.
4. When the position you want has an opening and your application is
still on file and not lost you will be called on in order of test
score and date of application.
5. If you are still alive or available you can go to work for them if
they hire you and they have the money to pay you.
6. This is their system to get into their club.

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kenneth198511 in Youngstown, Ohio

25 months ago

i met 15yr operators daily most of which are not impressed with my education until i lay out there work or find the station they shound be at digging. the fact remains anybody with two hands can run a hoe/dozzer/ect. dont take me the wrong way seat time is very important but it is not as import as they will tell you

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working class hero in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

24 months ago

wow.... where should i start...aaaa u need papper work these days if u wanna make money.this ant the 70s any more.and companys that make money have rules and guidlines they have to follow fyi

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fresh start in Kitchener, Ontario

23 months ago

james in Lucan, Ontario said: Ijust finished a H.E. trade course, they made it quick n easy. Free accommodations got me, but all n all after looking up several schools I chose 5TH Wheel Training, with campus's all over. Good luck with ur trade training

i went to fleming college up in lindsay, near peterborough an it was a fairly good school for training, teach you how to operate equipment, and the safety aspect of running equipment.

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smilingjack in Yucca Valley, California

18 months ago

i am looking for operator training here in the riverside/san bernardino desert .thanks

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