Employed by Orange or Blue?

[yucan2]

Sure then he could stay home and pay dues.

Totally unnecessary response.

If it is an option, joining a local will avail you the opportunity to get new or additional training in other related arenas at little or no cost such as but not limited to: HVAC, Fire and/or Burglar Alarm Systems, Green Technology (Solar), CCTV, Estimating, the list goes on.

When times are like this, one must redesign themselves.

BTW, a big box store seems to be a nice way to supplement whatever else you can find.

 

[quinn77]

Well, first I'd like to wish Scott luck on any endeavor he may embark on. Here in my area, the competition is extremely saturated. Tons of resi/comm contractors paying below avg wages, and plenty of laid off industrial electricians searching and or traveling for work just to barely make ends meet. As a young entrepeuner, my job is a daily challenge to find a market less saturated, analyze the demand and execute a plan to economically fill that demand. My company serves a "niche" market, ( 24/7 service/ water/wastewater/lift stations/retail facility/light industrial/design/build ).
Our prices are higher than most EC's in area, and we still avg 20 calls a day on a slow day, sometimes 40 a day. We bring an honest price, with quality work to a market that lacks quality EC's., and it has worked very well for us( with only 3 crews we clear 1 mil in revenue, with plenty of time for family and fun. My guys are very loyal, they work hard and enjoy their job and our customers. I guess what I'm trying to say is that with proper market research and analysis, you CAN find a market that you enjoy serving and from there, anything is possible.

Best of luck
Quinn

 

[iwire]

Totally unnecessary response.

If true responses upset you then I sugest you do not read my posts. Maybe you need to be less sensitive.

You should have also noticed my post said no contractors are hiring ..... this includes both union and non-union contractors.

 

[hardworkingstiff]

Scott did you see on the news wednesday, they reported that Mass has come out of the recession? Those reporters/analysts should be fired. Although the only positive thing about that is those dumb enough to believe it might start spending money to boost the economy! :grin:

If you talk enough people into believing the economy (sorry, I'm not supposed to say that word, especially on a thread started by Scott, :grin is good, then it will be good. Sarcasm is not intended.

 

[growler]

If you talk enough people into believing the economy is good, then it will be good.

I have a different opinion on the economy. I personally think that a religion can be built on faith but there needs to be a real foundation for a sound economy.

For the past few years people have believed that the economy was good when in fact it wasn't so they borrowed money to buy things they couldn't afford and that did give the impression of a good economy but there was no real foundation. Hot air is good for blowing up a bubble but not for building a sound economy.

Just an opinion folks.

 

[Flex]

If true responses upset you then I sugest you do not read my posts. Maybe you need to be less sensitive.

You should have also noticed my post said no contractors are hiring ..... this includes both union and non-union contractors.

I'm not from Mass, just offering an idea. How far from Saratoga, NY are you? Theres a large project starting up there taking 300-400 electricians.

 

[stevenje]

Go down to the big orange real early in the AM and stand out in front of the door about 15 minutes before the store opens. Get a load of the ra,ra, ra, cheerleading session all the store employee's get to sit thru. That will probably end your thinking about possibly working there for less than 20 an hour. I think I will weave coconut frond hats for tourists before I go that route.... By the way, that does look like a fairly good way to motivate a bunch of sparky's just before they leave the shop for the days job. But I don't think that would work with electricians. Not the ones I know.

Some years back I worked on 323,000 sq ft parking structure that was GC'd by Mortenson. Everybody that worked on that job site was "required" to show up ten minutes early every morning in front of the GC's main job trailer to do stretching exercises. This was supposed to reduce job injuries.

There was nothing like seeing a few overweight construction workers in Carhart bib overalls with a cigarette in one hand, a cup of coffee in the other, with one leg up in the air, attempting to do stretches at 7 o'clock in the morning to start you day out with a good laugh. Somebody should have got that on video!

 

[480sparky]

....... Somebody should have got that on video!

Does this trip your trigger?

 

[stevenje]

Does this trip your trigger?

You just gott'a laugh!

 

[480sparky]

You just gott'a laugh!

I think the guy with the cell phone really makes the video.

 

[nhfire77]

If true responses upset you then I sugest you do not read my posts. Maybe you need to be less sensitive.

Totally unrelated to the thread, or the comment by Yucan2 but:

There's another way to say that, Bob.

I tell people if they don't want their feelings hurt, don't bring them to work (or this forum).

Or try filling out one of these:

(Deleted)

 

[stevenje]

I think the guy with the cell phone really makes the video.

I can just hear him now, " Yes dear, now that's 1/2 gallon of 2% milk, 1 dozen eggs, one loaf of wheat bread and a package of those donuts with the little sprinkles on top.

POP!

Honey, I think I just pulled a groin muscle. I think I'll pick up a tube of Ben Gay while I'm at the store."

 

[macmikeman]

I didn't take the time to watch the video, but I will say I for sure do not see anything wrong with morning stretching exercise. I do that for about 15 minutes before I paddle out into the surf as well. We are not mules.

 

[stevenje]

I didn't take the time to watch the video, but I will say I for sure do not see anything wrong with morning stretching exercise. I do that for about 15 minutes before I paddle out into the surf as well. We are not mules.

Please don't take any of my previous posts wrong. I agree with you that pre-work or workout stretches are a good thing to do. No question about it.

I don't know if you are familar with the general contracting firm Mortenson that I mentioned in my first post,but they do work all over the USA and probably all over the world. They are big. If Mortenson thinks that pre-work stretches reduce injuries I'll bet they have research and studies to back it up.

But seriously you got laugh a little at the thought of my first post. After all if we can't poke a little goodhearted fun at ourselves and our fellow workers you ain't liv'in. My apologies if I have offended you in any way.

 

[John120/240]

Currently unemployed in Kansas City, I'd work at orange or bule before I become a waver on the street corner

 

[jumper]

As always threads go astray, This thread was meant to support Scott in his time of trouble and indecision, it should be closed with the thought that our prayers and concerns are with him, and we all wish him the best of luck.

God bless. I would be honored to meet you someday.

 

[electricmanscott]

As always threads go astray, This thread was meant to support Scott in his time of trouble and indecision, it should be closed with the thought that our prayers and concerns are with him, and we all wish him the best of luck.

God bless. I would be honored to meet you someday.

Thanks to everybody for the well wishes.

Just to be clear, I was not and am not looking for sympathy, and I really have accepted where I am right now. I have spent the last few months stressed, anxious, and not sleeping. But as I said I am past the "denial" stage and looking forward to whatever the next chapter happens to be. With that I slept last night like I haven't slept in some time.

As any of you that have been self employed or has run a business know there is a tremendous amount of stress that comes along with it. It is almost a relief to walk away from that.

In the grand scheme of things life is good.


If anybody has any insight into Lowes or Depot employment be it good bad or indifferent I would certainly take PM's on that.

Otherwise If the mods feel this thread should be closed have at it.

 

[readydave8]

Scott, on the bright side , if you can keep your contracting business going part time, you'll only have time to do the more profitable jobs. So all your jobs will be profitable. Also probably make contacts at work that will pay off if you get back in to full-time contracting.

I know because I have.

 

[mark32]

Scott,

I've worked at a HD for 2 1/2 years as a "Trade Specialist" and it works for me but it's not for everyone. I love the trade and love learning but the work conditions got to me, that meaning old work residential and new work commercial. I've mentioned on here in the past that I am now in a controlled climate with access to a micro, a fridge, a bathroom that's not made out of plastic, and a parking lot that could not be mistaken for a mud bog. I have decent benefits, a 401k with a respectable company match, steady hours, I can't complain but at times I still do. You really have to be a people person and have patience, both with the customer and management. Sometimes management does things that make you wonder if they have any touch with reality and you'll have customers that want to do the craziest electrical things you've ever heard and no matter how dangerous you tell them it is they don't care. You'll also have to deal with employees that don't really want to be there and/or don't have a clue as to what they are doing and you have to rely on them to get the product on the shelf, that's a big problem for me. You will feel like a fool in front of the customer when you are out of the most common items for days and weeks on end. Theft with piss you off almost as much as the parade of customers that apparently have no problem ripping open packages and leave it for you to piece back together, that REALLY pisses me off. I have a whole case of gfci's that have been ripped open, why? There is a gfci on display directly below the box??!! In addition, you are essentially a stock person as the night crew can only do so much and believe me, you will never have enough time to get done what you want to get done because most Depots have been running on skeleton crews for sometime, although we are currently hiring so hopefully that will change. If you're lucky like me though you'll get steady hours, meaning, the same hours each day, most employees don't get that benefit. So like I said, I can't complain but honestly I'm happy to be there but miss the trade as well.

 

[cadpoint]

Since I got such a postive response on my earlier post, I could only think of a few choice words. This one is my favorite;

LOS

Since merriam-websters is the official dictionary of the NFPA... enjoy