u/NoPersonality5722

In your opinion, do you think it’s possible to be a good mechanic without ni / mod experience?

Context: i spent my first 2 years in a cat 1 team for a major going around doing just annuals. I left one major and joined another and have been doing cat 5s since.

Luckily my mechanic is a good teacher and has been letting me lead the tests a little over a year now. And has taught me alot about troubleshooting when shit happens.

I am taking my test very soon. my mechanic put in a good word and i got offered a new route by the service super once i get my license.

i enjoy troubleshooting and problem solving so maintenance was always my goal. Plus working for 2 majors has allowed me to get hands on experience on different types of equipment

but ive been told its not common to be successful without some mod / construction experience.

Im a 3rd year helper and i just switched over to escalators this week. I was previously using a cushioned pad but i think for escalators individual knee pads are better and convenient. What knee pads are you guys using / recommend that i can wear throughout the day?

Got the call for local 18 @ schindler. Finished orientation today and was told i would be going to jobsite on monday, I will be in service alongside a mechanic. I was preparing to start in mod or NI lol but im just happy to finally be in!

Any tips for a new hire entering in service work? Any advice would be helpful 🙏🏻

Is there OT in service?

Looking for advice.

I ranked number 9 for a rural local (51 roanoke) with roughly ~100 members.

I got ranked number 71 for a more urban local (51 richmond) with roughly ~250 members

(Estimates according to chatgpt)

Considering probationary period, layoffs, and current work loads. Would it be wiser to wait until i get called for Richmond or take the much sooner call at roanoke?

My thought process is im less likely to get laid off in richmond and get through my probationary hours.