Need opinion about working as an auto mechanic in U.S.

debiannabi wrote in news:1177594161.645092.61900 @c18g2000prb.googlegroups.com:

I think you will find it impossible to get a permit to work in the US.

You must have a job BEFORE you move down there, and your employer must be able to prove to the USCIS that he could not find a comparably qualified US citizen to fill the job.

My $.02 worth..... Just starting as a tech out of school can be somewhat tough. The high paying jobs go to the veteran techs and you will be left with the crumbs. Remember that any dealership or shop would rather have a veteran working for them than somebody right out of school and the foreman will do what it takes to keep the veterans. You will also be getting minimal wages and you will probably need $7K-$10K worth of tools. The customers will be somewhat suspicious of a kid right out of school (again, the shop foreman knows this) and he will be reluctant to give the big jobs to a rookie. Remember also, that you may have to wash cars and do the oil changes or some janitorial work. The owner of the shop might be reluctant to do much to keep you around thinking you will be gone shortly.

If you are a good learner, willing to do some schooling and have a decent attitude, the foreman/owner will change his attitude toward you within a few years or less. 'Course, you could get one *sshole of an owner/foreman also.

BTW, why do you want to leave Canada? Do cars not break down there?

Bad business pratices.

I'd like to see how automotive repair business in U.S both business operation and skills of mechanics. i've seen so many "good" mechanics do cut corners, stopped learning. And they are paid good because they got 20 some years experiences under belt.

When it comes to electronics, they are in same boat as newbie. How can they fix electronic problems without understanding Ohm's law?

I wonder I would see a mechanic who does torque calibration every year.

Many businesses go slow down for the winter. Average length of winter in Canada is 6 months. You guess.

I plan to run a repair business. If U.S auto service is nothing more than Canada, I rather go to one of developed countries - Japan, Germany after learning language.

Kruse =C0=DB=BC=BA:

They rust out first.

--scott

stay in Canada. you're better off. Lots of Hondas there for you to work on

You are going the wrong way. The conditions and pay for mechanics in Canada are far better then the US overall. The training is better, Canada actually has an "apprenticeship" period...etc.

I've worked in the trade in Canada since 78. Yes, there are techs who don't want to learn, don't want to progress...but that will be more true down in the States overall. You also have better labour laws "overall" up in Canada.

I would suggest that you get involved on a website called "IATN" International Automotive Technician Network. Most of the guys on this network are from the States. Very sharp techs and owners populate this network. You can find it at

If you want to move to the States, IATN is where you will find the quality shops and owners that you will want to work with/for.

Ian

Plus, doesn't Canada have a national health insurance plan? I'm not wanting to start a thread on a completely different subject, but I've yet to see a car dealer in the states who will pay for 100% of your health care. In the states, that's another chunk of your paycheck that you will never see.

If auto mechanic trade in U.S is not worse than Canada, I'll move down when I'm ready.

Winter in Canada is so long. Most businesses go slow in Winter. Newbies like me laid off first. I wanna work year round, enjoy the long summer days. LOL

debiannabi =C0=DB=BC=BA:

Honestly, I work like a dog because I'm an apprentice and will have worked to finish the damn apprenticeship for 3 more years. My productivity is almost same as mechanic. Sometimes, I'm helping them out for brand new cars or diagnostic tools.

The public educational institute is far behind compared to manufactuers training. Honda runs its own training programs and qualifications. I'll finish all of them if possible. I finished about 20 modules last year but the empoyer haven't sent me a class room. I don't know why. :(

I'm lucky that I found this place. The owner is a cheap business man. But, the service manager and other coworkers including my mentor are nice.

shiden_kai =C0=DB=BC=BA:

Basic summary:

1. In Canada you can get whatever health care you need if you are able and willing to wait for it.

1. In the US you can get whatever health care you need if you are able and willing to pay for it.

Neither one of these are particularly good situations.

--scott

Back in the 1960's,when he got out of the Army,a guy built his own auto repair shop,about two miles from where I live.He was getting a lot of auto repair business because he was a very good mechanic and he never cheated anybody and he always charged fair prices for his work.When his son got old enough,he taught him about auto repair,his son worked with his dad,repairing autos/trucks/vans/suvs.He passed away a few years ago and now his son owns the shop and he has another guy working in the shop with him.They are getting all the business they can handle all year around,except on the weekends,they are closed. cuhulin

===== ===== debiannabi wrote in his diary..... and left on the table for the room to read this.......

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Same in the US as in Canada....or better..????

Well.....here's the facts...only the facts....a partial listing of a decades long study of the Automotive Service Industry personally performed by myself, at great expense to my own well being and with great sacrifice by my family.......

please read slow.....so you can reflect later, judge at will, and absorb the wisdom that I will offer to you as "welcome mat" into OUR industry.......and into our Country.

here goes........

First, of course it's better HERE. The USA lays claim to being the forerunner and skulpter of the automotive service industry..and bears on it's banner, not a picture of Henry Ford, but rather, an inlet of the "Model T" Ford.

Unless....someone else's country would like to lay claim to this......in which case......we'd like to see your banner. (because it's unknow to us)

. (that's the only fact you get for free) (you gotta be in the secret society to know the rest)

Now, for the ONLY bit of advice I care to give you for free......

Move to California, find a Dealership, go to work for what they offer you, do everything they tell you to do without question, listen and don't talk, demand access to EVERY training tool that they have.....when they can no longer offer you the challenge of further knowledge and access to it for free in order for you to grow as a technician........then find a dealership that can. After YOU have sucked THEM for all they're worth in knowledge and access to it..... you won't need anymore advice........you'll be quite capable of getting paid your worth....anywhere ...YOU decide.

do a ping, in here.....in 35 years let a feller know how that worked out for you aye.

~:~ MarshMonster ~sips his mushroom tea....wonders if you'de rather go to college for several years, intern for several, become a high paid lawyer ....so's you could afford to pay HIM...what he's worth~ ======== ========

I thought that this right was for emergency care. Maybe Im wrong.

I am a Vietnam Veteran,(Vietnam,1964) I can go to the V.A.Center if I need to.I also have medical health insurance with Physicans Mutual of Omaha. cuhulin

Yes, legally it is only for emergency care, and they attempt to get you out of there as quickly as possible once you are stabilized.

Twenty years ago it wasn't even true for emergency care; I injured myself once in Atlanta and was taken to the local hospital, which checked me over and sent me to another hospital downtown.

--scott