Home Forums Introduction Welcome to Elevator Trader Apprentice Elevator Mechanic Test

Concentrate on your basic electricity and motor and generator theory for starters and also hydraulics.All the new stuff being put in is VVVF with AC motors but there's a lot of old stuff still around and you'll probably see some of those same old jobs 20-30 years from now.Good Luck With Your Test!When you're out as an apprentice,follow your mechanic's requests as best as you can.If you find yourself idle while he's working on something,keep yourself busy by trying to see what tool or whatever part he needs next or hold the flashlight for him.Wiping down the machine and/or dumping the oil back in the gearcase(Aim for the bolt)is Greatly Appreciated also.When you show up on site for the first time,you'll be judged on whether you're just standing there and being a nuisance(distraction)or whether or not the mechanic will ask for you again.When you do start union school,you'll be doing a few hours at school after work.If there's a few mechanic's that you get along with pretty well that are on call that same night,give them a call and hang out and learn nightcalls.If a 2 man call comes up,the mechanic will say that he has you with him and you'll make a couple of hours to boot.Before I started in this business,I went to a Vocational High School.There were people that graduated before myself and afterwards that started at that same Elevator company.One of the guys that graduated before me went out rather quickly and gave me that valuable advice.Myself,with that advice,I was out with a temporary mechanics card(Apprenticeship had to be finished for the permanent card.)when I was 19.Show Interest And It Will Happen.It's a Great Industry to be in.You're you're own boss somewhat.DON'T try to figure out what your problem is while going to the call.Some guys go off on a tangent troubleshooting while driving there.Myself,I'll take the info in and won't think about it until I'm on site.Usually I'll find that the description over the telephone doesn't match what's given from the person on site. One more Extremely Valuable piece of advice from a supervisor Charlie Kasowitz,"If somethiong's got you baffled/driving you crazy,leave the site and go have a cup of coffee/tea and then come back to the site with a fresh and open mind.That advice is Pure Gold.I Value That Piece Of Advice The Most.That advice has worked for me so many times(Once or twice down to my last fuse.)Best Of Luck To You Seattle On Your Test! Thanks Charlie For That Advice!