technician job experiences

Gone back and forth, learned from each.

I went from being the second go to tech at a flat rate Ford shop to a locally family owned and operated tire shop that paid straight hours, plus commission on the job.

Loved the dealership. Most of my time was spent with the IDS in hand, using nothing more than my 1/4" drive set and a my soldering iron. Unless it was go to on brakes and suspension, I never touched my impact.

My wallet hated it. I worked two weeks for five hours a week. The service writer kept trying to convince the boss to take me straight time since I did so much heavy diagnostics. The boss wouldn't do it.

If the dealership is team flat rate, take a pass. Team flat rate makes for a lot of bad feelings. This guy nails brakes out all day, beating time and banks hours, this guy does nothing but warranty work, gets paid half and the brake guys time is taken to make up the short fall on the warranty guy.

Warranty guy thinks it sucks the other guy does brakes all day long and makes time, brake thinks warranty guy is shafting him because he doesn't do as much work and gets the hours anyway. Been there, done that in a team flat rate body shop.

I left the mom and pop after they sold to corporate. Been there, done that, warmed others to get out while the getting was good. They did away with both service departments and have since closed shop, thinking they could make money of fleet tires.

Opened my own shop and closed it two or three years later, due to my late wife's illness.

Next job I had was building trains in prototype. Put all my skills to use. Made more money than I ever did working on cars. And was a blast to do. Best stinking job I ever had not working for myself.

If you have a solid factory that will put your skills to use, sign up. Usually better hours, solid pay, benefits, and not having to deal with customer work.

Have a buddy who just left a Ford dealership as is working fleet for Bimbo bread. He loves it. Direct repair, solid hours without worrying about flat rate and customers, the truck needs something it gets fixed, no arguing with service writers, no miscommunication with a service writer trying to explain to the customer what the car needs, and no customers.

Lots of options out there if you're open minded enough to explore them.