Solution, I have no idea. I called today actually and said I am next to be hired and I was wondering if you could.give me an idea about when they'll take anyone, he said he had no idea and I just have to be ready and available when they call. And the worst part is I just turned down a sweet job at the dept of fish and wildlife for a maintenance electrician for this.

TxVet, you made the right call man, just relax. As I explained earlier, the union does not decide the actual hiring, the companies do. So the union rep there cannot tell you with any sort of accuracy when, its not that he doesnt want to. Being the next guy hired so early after the testing is great, you will catch on soon.

Thanks silly, that's good advice. And it is moving they have hired two already so I can't really complain. I am extremely greatful to have gotten that ranking.

Reading all this about the way apprentices' are employed really impresses me, in the UK its literally, can you count to 10 and write your own name and as a result of that mates (apprentices') can barely find a safety circuit when they go out on the tools, i work for what is known in the UK as "one of the big 4" (otis, thyssen, kone and schindler) and everyone is interviewed by a manager(non engineer) and by the senior technician whos not even a qualified lift engineer. Its a pretty poor state here....
My advice for any mate/apprentice is PAY ATTENTION! Understand the mechanics of a lift and the electrics/circuitry and get to a position where you know where you know what tool/part your fitter needs before he needs it and have it there ready.... If not you will be paying for tea at lunch :-)

Sounds good. Thank you for the advice Pete... I will definitely be looking into more the mechanical and circuitry and studying up since I have the time Now and be prepared when i go in as a probate.

Its simple "knowledge is power" learn as much as you can and understand the beast, no matter what nothing will ever prepare you for the pressure from when you go from mate/apprentice to engineer, it really is sink or swim, i had a freshly trained engineer almost cry the other month because he had a few call-outs in i had to almost console him to stop him crying, 15 year ago when i were in his position i'd of been laughed at and punched for being a complete wet blanket...
You need to be able to handle pressure, be able to think logically if you can do them then you've cracked it ;-) good luck to all wanna be engineers!

Hope everyone here in Austin is holding out ok. Summers nearing an end, lets hope we get a call sometime this fall. Any day now for you Vet!

Thanks solution.I am hoping I hear soon, my wife is getting sick of me being out of work haha.

I know what ya mean TxVet. I've been trying to do side jobs off of craigslist to supplement my unemployment. I start back to At&t on Sept 26 if I don't get the call. I'll be taking a pay cut but at least it will keep my mind off of when I'll be getting hired. At&t's training center is right next door to the IUEC in Nashville so my butt will be over there at least 2 times a week at lunch and on breaks. LOL. I've been bugging em on the phone now I'll be able to bug them for real. I sure was hoping I would get the call before then but just gotta drive on.

I just called the hall. He said that 2 mechanics were laid off, 4 fifty percenters, and I'm assuming the other 9 apprentices.

Dang man that stinks. Hopefully they get moving soon .

Man i didnt think they laid off mechanics too often .. I thought once you did your probationary time you were almoat safe from lay offs

Yea I know what you mean. I'd think with 5+ years of service, you would be safe.

I'm sure the best ones see very little time off.

Still nobody working?

TxVet has been next in line here in Austin for a while now. We're just waiting for him to get hired so we know the list is moving again.

Yep and it sucks I feel like I have been next forever, I hope everyone else is hanging in there. I know I feel like I am never going to get the call.

any one hear any new news from Austin?

Quick update from Vegas...they hired 5 apprentices off the list as a major casino chain in Las Vegas is updating their elevators. Two Huge projects are suppose to start by years end which would call for ~50 more apprentices. Currently in the low 30's on the hiring list. Have faith, we're all gonna make it

That's good news, at least they are giving you updates. The hardest part about our union hall is the no feedback they give.