Here's what happens: You get excited. They tell you where to do a urinalysis (1 day). You wait until the results are back (2-3 days). You show up to the office and you take a safety class (1-2 days).

You get assigned to a mechanic. He can treat you either really good or like you're a moron. You're the latter. You should have on you at all times: your safety gear (Hardhat, gloves, sleeves, glasses, knee pads and harness), a pocket knife (no longer than a 3" blade), a pen, a small notebook (try to find a hardbound one that's durable) and a stick rule that you'll use once a month.

You'll screw up a lot and some of you won't make it. The job is not easy, it's also not hard. Psychologically it can be rough. Your mechanic is under no obligation to help you in anyway. Some mechanics will teach you; some only want you to lift heavy stuff. Try to learn as much as possible.

In one year, your probationary status will cease, so they can't just get rid of you. But until then you could fart and be run off. Good Luck!

Also, mechanics and other members of the Union have no idea when they're going to hire new people the Business Rep might. So whatever scuttlebutt you've heard you can take with a grain of salt. The word is in my local that there's more work than we can handle and they're going to hire as many people as possible (they've hired four in six months). Don't buy into the BS the wait will be long.