View Full Version : Day 1 as an Eletrician Apprentice... in the books!
About 9.hrs worth and it went great. If every day goes like today this will be the career I've been looking for but I have a feeling not every day will be like this. Hell, my alarm clock decided to not go off at 5:45am and I still managed to work on time. That's how you know when you're having a good day! [Coffee]
We spent all day in beer coolers in a liquor store and since I like cold weather it was perfect for me. Ask me again after I crawl around in a 130 degree attic with fiberglass insulation and maybe I won't be quite so cheery but so far so good! [Flower]
Bailey Guns
07-09-2012, 20:04
Congrats! It'll lead to good things.
Glad you enjoyed day one. I look forward to hearing your complaints about how much your job sucks in a couple of months. [Coffee]
Big Wall
07-09-2012, 20:06
Congratulations! Glad you liked it.
Great-Kazoo
07-09-2012, 20:06
Sounds like your apprenticing for a commercial place.
Forget the attic, wait until access is through the old part of the building crawlspace.
I don't like spiders & snakes.
SideShow Bob
07-09-2012, 20:07
Where did you manage to get on at ? That is if you don't mind me asking.......congratulations. [Beer]
SideShow Bob
07-09-2012, 20:09
Sounds like your apprenticing for a commercial place.
Forget the attic, wait until access is through the old part of the building crawlspace.
I don't like spiders & snakes.
Don't forget about the rats and leaky pipes gushing raw sewage.........[LOL]
Up and down ladders wear a 20lb tool belt and drill,,school,,school,,and more school
Bend saddles ,,offsets,,....code book code book code book
Attics in summer,,outdoors ,,heat tape in winter
Damn miss it all A LOT to learn
tmjohnson
07-09-2012, 20:46
You get to haul light fixtures up 4 flights of stairs all day. That is one of the little joys of being a juice jocky!
Fentonite
07-09-2012, 20:48
Congrats! My 1921 house needs to be completely rewired, gimme a call when you're ready for something like that!
Oh you poor fool.
Just kidding. Good luck going through your apprenticeship. I'm getting out of contracting and back to industrial electrical maintenance, instrumentation and controls myself. Don't let your employer just slave you without teaching you what you need to know.
trlcavscout
07-09-2012, 20:52
Don't forget about the rats and leaky pipes gushing raw sewage.........[LOL]
Thats the worst part. Hill n park in greeley is a great example. I much prefer crawl spaces even with the dead rats and live snakes etc over attics. Residential work is ok but theirs a LOT of nasty hoarders and just plain nasty people around. Commercial work is better until you have something down and cant get it to work during lunch or dinner or at bars at 2 am when their trying to run cards. I am a highly underpaid low voltage guy, sometimes i wish i would have went your route but i guess as long as i have a guaranteed 40+ and work NEVER slows down this will work.
Good luck!
SideShow Bob
07-09-2012, 20:52
And don't lose or toss the card stock core when you run out of electrical tape, the foreman won't give you a new roll until you give him the core from the old roll.
Thanks everyone!
I'd stay to chat but I'm about to go to bed since I leave for work at 6:00am now. Turns out that's a time now. Let's hope day 2 is as good as day 1!
Still awake aren't you?
Just canMt wait for day 2
Get out now while you can. [ROFL1]
Find a good J-Man to learn from, Ask questions, get yourself an Ugly's book and study it.
And above all, avoid jobs like the one I'm on now. ;)
colocowboy01
07-10-2012, 05:19
Congrats on the new job!
DD977GM2
07-10-2012, 07:13
I give it one week before the thread about how much being an apprentice sucks. [ROFL1]
Great-Kazoo
07-10-2012, 07:52
I give it one week before the thread about how much being an apprentice sucks. [ROFL1]
Lets see if he is actually humping his ass off running supplies here & there. OR pulling a Ronin and web surfing
Lets see if he is actually humping his ass off running supplies here & there. OR pulling a Ronin and web surfing
Busted! LOL. Actually we're waiting for a business to open so I've got a few minutes. Web surfing on the clock won't be something that I get used to though.
Goodburbon
07-10-2012, 08:43
Congrats on the new job, hope it all works out for you.
Day 2 Report: Just as good as day 1 if not better since I know how to do what we're doing even better. I know not every day is going to be like this but for now we're replacing electric fan motors and a few repetitive things so I'm doing some pretty remedial stuff. I was told that on day 2 I'm already better/quicker than a guy they've had there for months so that's good. Waiting for the hot shitty days to come but hey... so far 2 days of earned pay in the books and no complaints. [Beer]
Congrats Jer! Glad to hear you are enjoying your new job!
Danceswithwires
07-10-2012, 22:01
Glad to hear your likeing it so far. Getting as wide an experience base as possible is always a good thing.
Just remember. There are two types of electricians. Those that drink and those who will start drinking.
Just remember. There are two types of electricians. Those that drink and those who will start drinking.
Sounds like most painters as well.
Just remember. There are two types of electricians. Those that drink and those who will start drinking.
After today, I'm considering it..
gnihcraes
07-11-2012, 21:54
Just remember. There are two types of electricians. Those that drink and those who will start drinking.
IT Staff too...
Sounds like most painters as well.
[LOL]
Day 3: No walk-in coolers for this guy today! Instead it was working on a new construction house and a couple of service calls. Today felt much more like being an electrician and it wasn't too bad at all. We'll see how things progress but I can see where it's going to be work as compared to some other jobs. Not that that's a complaint at all. This country would be in a better place if people didn't think working for their paycheck was such an antiquated idea that was below them.
Trust me atleast you get to work, I have a job and I still don't get to work. I have always heard people say "I want a job where I dont have to do anything, just show up and get paid", Let me tell you IT SUCKS! I'm glad your digging it so far man looking forward to day 4!
Inconel710
07-12-2012, 12:56
Glad to hear you're enjoying it. Electrician's assistant was my post HS, pre-Navy job and I use those skills on a routine basis. Just last month, I troubleshot and replaced four old receptacles and a light switch for a neighbor and installed a ceiling fan in my house.
My newest ebay purchase.
http://i.imgur.com/bZLyL.jpg?1
I remember my first year as an apprentice, I was told "You know where whale shit is? Well, you're below that." coming from an old school Lineman.
Congrats on your apprenticeship!
Day four and shit just got real! lol We had a generator install on the side of a house way up in the mountains. I spent most of the day trenching and what not as well as parts running and it was in the sun. I have a nice sunburn on my neck, head and arms but still had a good time. Maybe someday I'll get to actually work with wiring and electricity. [LOL]
My newest ebay purchase.
http://i.imgur.com/bZLyL.jpg?1
That's real nice man. I'm rocking a shitty $10 one I've had from like HF or something for over a decade. It's just a multimeter though and I really want one of these CT versions as those clamp testers are important to use or so I gathered since I've seen them used almost as much as our strippers, lineman pliers, dykes, Dewalt drills & sawzalls.
I don't see that anybody has said it so far
That stuff can kill you!!!
Make sure whoever is training you shows you how to not end up dead. It's like a guns and shooting. It can be satisfying and fun but it is terribly unforgiving of any incapacity, carelessness, or neglect. Don't take shortcuts with safety.
Congratulations. I wish you continued success.
Day four and shit just got real! lol We had a generator install on the side of a house way up in the mountains. I spent most of the day trenching and what not as well as parts running and it was in the sun. I have a nice sunburn on my neck, head and arms but still had a good time. Maybe someday I'll get to actually work with wiring and electricity. [LOL]
That's real nice man. I'm rocking a shitty $10 one I've had from like HF or something for over a decade. It's just a multimeter though and I really want one of these CT versions as those clamp testers are important to use or so I gathered since I've seen them used almost as much as our strippers, lineman pliers, dykes, Dewalt drills & sawzalls.
Never fear I have been in the trade almost 20 years and still dig ditches.
P.S. Don't forget the 120v circuit for the battery charger. I have been on more than one service call because of that.
snichols28
07-13-2012, 09:06
...I've seen them used almost as much as our strippers, lineman pliers, dykes, Dewalt drills & sawzalls.
Did somebody say strippers?
Never fear I have been in the trade almost 20 years and still dig ditches.
P.S. Don't forget the 120v circuit for the battery charger. I have been on more than one service call because of that.
23 here, somedays, I'd prefer digging the ditches. [Tooth]
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