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

So I passed the test, as everyone said it was all common sense. Now the interview is scheduled for the 17th. Are there any documents you would suggest bringing along? Also does anyone know how far away from the local you are allowed to live, and even if distance is allowed will they still have an issue with it?

Glad you passed. Now learn everything you can with the mechanics you work with. Then at home learn even more from literature. But hands on will be the best learning experience. As far as union stuff I have no idea. Congrats and welcome to the elevator tech community.

Some days chickens, some days feathers, as to where you live. If you live in the sticks, you could end up working in the city till your apprenticeship is up or you could be working 75 miles in either direction from your house. if you live N,S,E,or W of town, it won't matter, more than likely you'll end up working in the opposite direction than you think. Be to work on time, if you like cats, don't be late because the cat crossed the road.

Good Luck.

Some days chickens, some days feathers, as to where you live. If you live in the sticks, you could end up working in the city till your apprenticeship is up or you could be working 75 miles in either direction from your house. if you live N,S,E,or W of town, it won't matter, more than likely you'll end up working in the opposite direction than you think. Be to work on time, if you like cats, don't be late because the cat crossed the road.

Good Luck.

Just an update I had my interview yesterday. It was very short, 15 minutes max. All very deep work related questions. I was nervous as heck but my two interviewers were very nice. They had five teams of interviewers taking about 70 candidates in total and 3 of the major 4 companies had interviewers there. It was very interesting. No set date that I'll here back by but I'm praying for the best, and crossing my fingers I aced with flying colors. To help others prepare for their future interviews you really have to go on the web and practice se standard interview questions relatable to the workplace. Also if you haven't done research as to what you may be getting into as an elevator mechanic that could potentially look poorly. For me I'll be checking my email 30 times a day for like two weeks straight and as soon as I hear back I'll let you guys know how I did.
Thanks to all for the help so far!

I got my results, and I'm rather bummed but there's always next recruitment. I passed the interview but was ranked 39. Clearly I didn't wow the interviewers, So by the looks of things I doubt they'll get to 39 before opening up another period. Maybe they will, but I'll keep my fingers crossed and I'll definitely keep calling from time to time to see where they are at. Thanks again for all the help!

With the way work is booming in most parts of the country 39 doesn't seem too bad. A lot of people on that list are not as excited as you are and will drop off for any number of reasons.

Good luck!

You could apply at a non Union Company. There are good ones out there. Who knows, you might even have a more enjoyable career with one.

Such things exist?? I never even knew that. I'll have to do a little research to find one.

Hey, I applied to Local 38 In Salt Lake city and interviewed in December. I got placed at 28 out of 70 or 80 applicants. I feel pretty good about it. Now I guess it's just time to wait. Hopefully work is good over there. Anybody here from SLC?

Haven't heard from the band of apprentices lately. How's it going thus far?

Back working in Austin (local 133), and now in the Mod department. I like it a lot, and prefer it over construction so far. Finished my first semester of school which was pretty easy. All in all things are going well, but you start to realize just how much you still don't know, and sometimes feel like you'll never figure it all out.

Also a heads up to anyone trying to get in, they are now testing incoming applicants on hand tools. An example would be Klien's, which are actually linemans pliers and/or side cutters I believe, or dykes which are actually diagonal cutters.

I have an interview at the end of the month in NYC. In the meantime, I've been working toward a certificate in basic electronics. Doesn't look like I'll have it complete by then, but hopefully working on it will be considered better than nothing. 1600 applied, so I can use all the credentials I can get!

I have my interview tomorrow! Having just a liiiittle bit of trouble concentrating at work today.

Good luck, Sparky! We're both gonna continue to have trouble concentrating until our results come in!

Thanks Cedartop! About to head out now!

How'd your interview go Cedartop? Mine felt like it went very well. I'm supposed to find out where I stand in a couple of weeks.

I was very impressed with the questions. Two interviewers, and they both made me feel very comfortable. Overall, went better than I expected.

anymore or new news from the 133, Austin, Texas? i interviewed 11/14, and at the time was #3 behind the lay-offs. last i heard, the last of the lay-offs were back and im one of the next on the list. but if anyone here is part of the local 133 or another Texas local, could you possibly answer some questions for me, as when i call and try to talk to the union rep, he's always rushed and busy. im trying to make my final decision as to whether i will take the position or not. i truly want to take it, but i will be leaving a 50k+ a year job with good bene's and LOTS of job security

what is base-pay, and when/how do raises work?
ive seen alot of lay-offs here, how busy do apprentices stay?
how much are and how often are due's collected?

nd any and all other advice and help is truly appreciated. if it makes a difference, i applied through the H2H program

Apprentices start out at just under $19 here in Austin (after probation $20-$21, then just under $25 by the time you hit second year). Mechanics are making 37+ an hour currently, likely to go up after the next contract if cost of living in Austin is accounted for.

You are not sworn in until 6 months and/or 1000 hours (last I checked), up until that point any layoffs that occur are forced on the probies, then the first year apprentices, thereafter there is no longer an order (you can layoff a 4th year apprentice before a 2nd year, but not before a first year or proby).

Work in Austin is good, that is why the bench has recently been cleared. Mod work is really blowing up, and I'm sure construction is chugging along just fine. Layoffs do happen, but depending on your value, your tenure, and what department you work in, the risk of layoffs can be greatly reduced. There are guys who haven't been laid off in decades. Also, if you are willing to travel, there is usually work to be found outside your local.

Dues are quarterly, and are a few hundred dollars.

The realistic advice is that if you are making comfortable money with decent benefits already, you might regret your decision the moment you find yourself in the freezing cold in construction slinging rails (heavy lifting). There are many many different facets to this trade and as a new helper you could find yourself in any number of situations that you could love or hate.

Good luck either way, and I wouldn't be surprised if you get a call to work from our BA pretty soon.