HVAC Guys... career question

Brandon · May 18, 2015

As long as I can sit up in a crawl space I am ok. Seen/smelled worse things in life.

1) Delivered to a house where the cat urine smell knocked you down about 10 feet in front of the front door. No joke, literally 10 feet in front of the door you could smell/feel the burn in your eyes.
2) Delivering/removing old washing machine - water in the drum was black and a stench as bad if not worse than the listed above
3)Kids throwing up on you on the bus. Nuff said.

Crawl spaces, sure they are tight and uncomfortable and smell but I can deal with it - I think.

96firephoenix · May 18, 2015

Brandon said:
As long as I can sit up in a crawl space I am ok. Seen/smelled worse things in life.

1) Delivered to a house where the cat urine smell knocked you down about 10 feet in front of the front door. No joke, literally 10 feet in front of the door you could smell/feel the burn in your eyes.
2) Delivering/removing old washing machine - water in the drum was black and a stench as bad if not worse than the listed above
3)Kids throwing up on you on the bus. Nuff said.

Crawl spaces, sure they are tight and uncomfortable and smell but I can deal with it - I think.

fair enough. I don't do well with tight spaces. Granted tight for me is loose on most... I'm 6'2", 245 lbs.

ghitch75 · May 18, 2015

Brandon said:
As long as I can sit up in a crawl space I am ok. Seen/smelled worse things in life.

1) Delivered to a house where the cat urine smell knocked you down about 10 feet in front of the front door. No joke, literally 10 feet in front of the door you could smell/feel the burn in your eyes.
2) Delivering/removing old washing machine - water in the drum was black and a stench as bad if not worse than the listed above
3)Kids throwing up on you on the bus. Nuff said.

Crawl spaces, sure they are tight and uncomfortable and smell but I can deal with it - I think.

it is real fun when the cat box is right next the furnace.....or **** pipe been off under the house for a couple years!!!!!....fun fun.....

looney2ns · May 19, 2015

96firephoenix said:
One word: Crawlspaces.

Between doing my own HVAC (well, HAC) in the crawlspace and the horror stories I've heard from my buddy's 2 years as a DISH installer, you need a strong stomach and a strong set of knee pads. (and in my case, some hip-waders)

I heard on the interwebs that all crawlspaces are filled with fairies, unicorns and aromatic flowers.

Brandon · May 29, 2015

Heard from the Union again today. They wanted to know if I were interested in a trainee job. If I remember correctly, this would be a $9.00/hr job.
I never told them yes/no but that I had enrolled at Ivy Tech since I didn't make the cut so I can learn the trade. They replied with if you change your mind, let us know.

ChristianPatriot · May 29, 2015

Hmmmmm. Tough choice man. I feel for ya. I don't know what I would do in your position.

churchmouse · May 29, 2015

Brandon said:
Heard from the Union again today. They wanted to know if I were interested in a trainee job. If I remember correctly, this would be a $9.00/hr job.
I never told them yes/no but that I had enrolled at Ivy Tech since I didn't make the cut so I can learn the trade. They replied with if you change your mind, let us know.

Not exactly sure what the Trainee scale is but it does advance. They are likely to take from the trainee roster if anything opens up as far as maint. Trades men which is another step up towards either journeymen or the apprenticeship.

Call and get the skinny on the pay

Brandon · Jul 23, 2015

We turn in our written final today, we take our test for heat/gas heat certification Monday, and hands on final in the lab Tuesday.
As it stands now, I have (final grade) 91% in electric heat and basic electricity, and 89.5% in gas heat. Just 1/2 of a % away from an A.

churchmouse · Jul 23, 2015

Brandon said:
We turn in our written final today, we take our test for heat/gas heat certification Monday, and hands on final in the lab Tuesday.
As it stands now, I have (final grade) 91% in electric head and basic electricity, and 89.5% in gas heat. Just 1/2 of a % away from an A.

Don't get cocky new guy....... :):

Rookie · Jul 23, 2015

Funny story...

Years ago, I worked HVAC installing residential units and had to take a test for my refrigerant license. I can't remember exactly, but I'm thinking there were four classes for your license. I didn't bother to study (I wasn't paying for it and didn't really care since I was making $6/hr), took the test, and passed three of the four. Want to guess which one I failed? Yep, residential. My boss wasn't pleased.

Brandon · Jul 23, 2015

Sounds like something I would do.
Next semester (Fall) is when we learn about cooling.

Crbn79 · Jul 23, 2015

Brandon said:
Sounds like something I would do.
Next semester (Fall) is when we learn about cooling.

EPA test is easy, just remember the dates, the rest is cake. I passed all my classes/test with 95% or above.

Brandon · Jul 28, 2015

Anxious to finish my hands on final I messed up I shouldn't have. That said I got a 92% on my hands on final. Written final was not graded yet.
Bad news I missed a certification for gas heat by 3 points (3 questions). Yea I didn't do so hot on that one

Brandon · May 21, 2016

Bringing back this old thread, I have accepted a job as an Install Helper, something we learned nothing about in school - except for brazing.
Hands on in lab for cooling was lacking.

Pay isn't great, the drive will suck but I have my feet in the door and that means no more bus driving!

ChristianPatriot · May 21, 2016

Very cool. Stay at it man.

churchmouse · May 21, 2016

Brandon said:
Bringing back this old thread, I have accepted a job as an Install Helper, something we learned nothing about in school - except for brazing.
Hands on in lab for cooling was lacking.

Pay isn't great, the drive will suck but I have my feet in the door and that means no more bus driving!

To see the systems go in from scratch will only benefit you down the road. Wiring/piping/metal work/setting units are all part of the big picture.
Feel free to ask anything of me as you progress.

ChristianPatriot · May 21, 2016

churchmouse said:
To see the systems go in from scratch will only benefit you down the road. Wiring/piping/metal work/setting units are all part of the big picture.
Feel free to ask anything of me as you progress.

And then when he jacks you all up, you can come to me and I'll set you straight. :):

looney2ns · May 21, 2016

churchmouse said:
To see the systems go in from scratch will only benefit you down the road. Wiring/piping/metal work/setting units are all part of the big picture.
Feel free to ask anything of me as you progress.

Will you mow my lawn each week?

BiscuitNaBasket · May 21, 2016

Best of luck Brandon. I just took the test at work one for local 440 yesterday. It was a trip.

ChristianPatriot · May 21, 2016

BiscuitNaBasket said:
Best of luck Brandon. I just took the test at work one for local 440 yesterday. It was a trip.

You goin service or fitter?

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