I asked the manager, he gave me a vague answer. Something along the lines of "When you show the ability to prove and demonstrate yourself, then we'll move you up". Funny thing is even the service writer complained that she never got a raise, commission, or bonuses. She also had a problem with how the manager treated and perceived her.

I agree with you, the ONLY way I'm moving up is if their cornerstone techs die, an older but new experienced mechanic who works there noticed everything is fed to the big three techs. Honestly, I'll stay long enough that working in a shop is natural to me and hopefully they give me more considerable tasks. If I'm still only changing oil and doing flat repairs after 5 , or 6 months, we have a problem.

I disagree with the others, when I worked at the pizza shop, I tried to make new guys feel at home. Myself and others gave them respect on day one, we groomed them as best as we could, always giving helpful tips. I wanted to raise them up, not throw them to the wayside and complain they know nothing.


Because of this, the work environment was positive and encouraging, pretty much all of the coworkers became good friends (shared contacts, hung out after work). The new guys felt included, not ostracized, the managers said out of their mouths they've never seen a restaurant with such a high retention rate, ever. It still hurts me to this day that I left them for this TRASH.
Long story short, a good work environment encourages and creates growth.

Then again I need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture, THIS IS A TREAD QUARTERS, bottom of the totem pole, the McDonald's of auto repair. Of course there is a pos work environment and attitude, NOT saying it's right or justified but that's how it is. This attitude won't change the longer I work there, why? Because there's ZERO pride when working at a tread quarters. Pride and perception plays a role here imo.

Coming from 5 different restaurants, 7 years of experience in total, I can see instantly wether a job is going to be good or bad based on the atmosphere, culture, and how you're initially treated.

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

Then again it seems you're mocking my pizza making ability with a bit of coarse satire. I can show you better than I can tell you.

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

Looks like this shops strategy is to feed potential employees. " You can make up to $ XX " but once they are there, but the advances never come.

I call this the " Convenience store effect " This is where the counter job is only worth so much and the employee can't offer more value to the company once they have learned the basics. A company can do this because they don't care or want an employee to stay long term it can even be that the position has a naturally high turn over so why pay more?

This is probably the guy you want to align yourself with, he is bound to have contacts at other shops and you might be able to follow him if he leaves. As a somewhat side note, be very careful to avoid getting involved with a shop that is a front for drugs , auto theft or other bad things.

Thanks for the advice, I'll try to be on their good side. We'll see how this works, your insight is something else, it makes perfect sense.

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

Another update, well I was speaking to one of the techs, he said a good shop will show you the ropes on how to do more advanced jobs on a slow day.

He said don't expect that here.
Also he explained how a tech in our very own shop who has been working for tread quarters for over 2 years was JUST ALLOWED to do his FIRST EVER BRAKE JOB last week.

I knew this place was dead end from the jump, how unfortunate. They don't perform gravy work like timing belts, intake manifold replacement, etc.

Time to look elsewhere ASAP! I'm going to apply to reputable independent shops while still employed at tread quarters.

Hopefully that will give me the tiniest bit of leverage to get in.

Heck, I could actually put my diagnostic skills to work.

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

How long have you worked there now?

2 weeks or something like that, and no I don't expect to come out the womb tracing the potential causes of lean running engine. I know it takes time, but this shops line of work is very limited and LIMITING.

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

Going to a job meeting, am expecting a bunch of corporate hoopla...

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

How old are you Giants?

When I got my first internship type job as an airline pilot I was 23. I had $150k in student debt and 6 years of University and flight training under my belt. Due to the economy taking a downturn I was “lucky” to keep that internship for 7 years making barely enough to eat and pay the interest. Some flight attendants would talk down to me and sometimes gate agents would refer to me as “young man” despite bringing a lot more to the table than them when hired. Most captains were good mentors but some were miserable A holes with whom I had to share a closet sized space with for days at a time. I got discouraged too sometimes. My point with this is that the only thing that will carry you through your entry level years are the things YOU can control. That is pride in YOURSELF and what you do. Do the absolute best you can with whatever trivial job they give you. Make your bed in the morning and make sure to keep yourself organized clean and cut. Dress for the job you want and not the one you have. Finally be positive humble and keep networking. Someone will notice eventually. One day you’ll be surprised when people start giving you more responsibilities because they see your intrinsic values. That may or may not happen where you are but if you are a quality employee a quality outfit will want to hire you.

Best of luck

Well said R.Diesel.

I too began young and was often frustrated by the poor attitude of those I worked with , many of whom were my Elders and so I assumed supposed to help out instead of being mean spirited (envious) and deliberately made things difficult instead of teaching the eager newbie and letting me do the works and learning whilst they sat on their butts....

It's obvious F.O.G. has yet to come to grips with these basic facts of life, not to worry, I fought well into my 30's and realized slowly that what is written above is right and now I'm old and on the down slope I see how many did see the good I did and my attempted good attitude when I was young, they come to me now for help and avice, others are scared and envious of your youth and eagerness and will always try to stop you instead of making life easier for everyone .

Don't sweat it, take things easier, easy to say I know but we're on your side .

__________________
-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

Got fired for real this time, yes it's going to suck but whatever. I just started talking about how they're throwing parts at a car that was missfiring and well the rest is history.

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

I'm 23, I'll try to take that into consideration next time.

__________________
1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

This is an interesting thread.

You were given advice by myself and everyone to keep your mouth shut. You have no opinion nor the level of experience to say those things. You’re a nobody in that shop, just a new guy who hasn’t earned his keep or respect of anybody. Also, what does it matter what they do? It isn’t your vehicle and doesn’t affect your job how they run the shop.

__________________
Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k

Ouch

__________________

All Diesel Fleet
1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL
2005 E320 CDI (daily)

LOTS of parts for sale!


EGR block kit
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html

1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This!
Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst.

Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11):
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html