Home Forums Introduction Welcome to Elevator Trader Apprenticeship advice. Austin, TX

Hello guys I'm Nick and I have a interview with local 63 out of Oklahoma city on Jan 28. I wanted to go to local 21 in DFW, but they haven't done a recruitment since Oct 2013. 63 and a local in Shreveport,LA where the only ones recruiting at the time I started studying the elevator trade. I hope all goes well with my interview, I fill confident that I will, but I will keep you guys informed on my results.

Been a long time coming, but i just started working for Schindler elevator. Wish me luck and hope you guys are enjoying the trade.

hell yeah man! This thread got quiet because we all went to work. Enjoy it, it can be a ton of fun.

Hey jrr,
I work for Schindler in Austin too. When did u start, whereare u working?

I started on wednesday here in mn. Just spent three days in orientation. Starting a hydraulic elevator tomorrow.

nice man, i have only been on with schindler since early december it seems like a good company. It seems like they are a whole lot more go go go get it done than they were at thyssen when I worked there .

So far, im happy. should be interesting. Are you working on new install?

Haven't logged on in a while. Still nothing here in Vegas...will call Monday to see where I rank (was in the 30's last time I checked)

I have yet to receive any calls, and have been largely ignored when calling the local to check my status. No returned calls, no answer at all, etc

I'm still waiting here in Nashville. I call a couple times a month. Every time I call the rep jokes around and just seems down to earth. Always polite and tells me it shouldn't be much longer. Man I hope he's right. I think there's only 1 or 2 ahead of me. Fingers still crossed. Good luck ya'll! Interviewed last June so it's been almost a year.

I called the hall today and the rep told me that I should be getting the call in a few weeks. I can't wait.

For what I've been told...things have slowed here in Austin. Good luck

Don't mean to hijack this thread, but I figured I'd just reply here.

In September 2013 I started the process of busting into this trade (Chicago Local 2). The line (I was close to just walking away, that's how bad it was) wrapped around the Union Hall and down block; over 2000+ people applied throughout the month. 1700+ passed the test and sat for an interview. I was ranked in the 80's out of 1700. Two years passed of me checking my phone daily for a phone call; looking at this Texas thread and the others on here to try and look for any rumors. I never called the hall because I was too nervous I'd be blacklisted.

It finally happened. Got the call on Monday. And I didn't have an "In" either.

Looking forward to my next chapter.

Congrats man. I'm waiting on the call myself.

Figured I'd join up and get in the act. Waiting on a few interviews as we speak (Southwest and Midwest), studying my behind off and brushing up my resume.

Good luck folks.

This thread seems to get a ton of traffic, it must be a coming up as a top link in google or something, hopefully its helped some prospective helpers out. Started it over a year ago, so I figured now would be a good time to update my progress.

I originally got hired on in local 133 (Austin, TX) and they had a hard time keeping the probationary apprentices working. I got laid off shortly after acquiring everything I needed to be sworn in and get off probation (thank god). I was still laid off after being sworn in, so decided to seek work in Dallas where I'm originally from. This didn't take long and you gotta love DFW for having so much opportunity.

Going back to work for Thyssen's fort worth location (first day is tomorrow, not looking forward to that drive from north dallas) but I can't complain. Seems like they are desperate for helpers right now. I know some of the mechanics on this forum are working in this local, I can only hope to be put to work under one of them knowing I might learn a great deal.

I might like to permanently transfer to the DFW local 21, but that takes 6 months of permanent residency before they're even able to consider it. Hopefully I can stay employed until that point, though transients are probably the first to go during lay offs.

All in all, I'm a bit over 1000 hours into the trade so I'm still totally lacking in experience. I can tell you that being an elevator constructor is absolutely the most fun trade, and one of the hardest working on a job. You will get dirty, hot, cold, tired, sore, and pissed off. Some days will suck, some days will be easier than others.

You will earn your pay in this trade, and considering the package you receive in this trade, you should expect to work hard for it.

Anyways, I hope people continue to find this thread because it really covers the entire process for someone trying to break into this union. Some of the probies in this thread that got hired with me have already given up and quit, so when you pass your test and ace your interview, know that the veterans of this trade you go to work with will be what makes or breaks you.

Say howdee to Ken M. and Clay S. over there, if you can work with those two guys, you will learn a lot

Gentlemen I finally got the call. Gotta go Weds to the drug testing and then start on Friday. Man I've been waiting for this seems like forever now. Thank ya GOD!

congratulations man... good luck

Hey guys! This thread has awesome insight as to what to expect when going through the whole process. Took my EIAT for local 132 (Madison WI) and reading what others experienced calmed the nerves a bit. Doesn't help with waiting for the test results though... Hopefully of all goes well I'll be getting an interview! But yeah thanks to Solution specifically for starting this and everyone else who has chimed in!