Finding a trade later in life

[jackstraw]

Was waiting for Ted to chime in with some pilot reality.

And clearly y'all overlooking the profuse sweating part. That's annoying.

[SumJongGuy]

Was waiting for Ted to chime in with some pilot reality.

And clearly y'all overlooking the profuse sweating part. That's annoying.

I have a buddy in his 60s whos thinking about going to drone pilot school.

[schuss]

The other piece is - how much do you value your own independence of location and schedule? That's another huge determinant as things like pilots, crane operators, pipefitters etc. generally don't get to choose where they work, you go where the work is and accept whatever shit schedule they throw at you. I don't know anyone in serious construction or similar travel jobs that doesn't have a partner willing to stay home or sacrifice their own career for theirs. If you want flexibility, tech stuff is better as everyone is WFH or hybrid these days anyhow.

[LHutz Esq]

My bother is an instructor at his local college in the automotive trades. He did 30 years as a red seal and owned his own specialized shop prior to moving into teaching.

Huge interesting changes;
Old retiring/becoming obsolete work force;
many specialties - glass, ev, etc. etc.

Techs with specialized skills do really well and the modern shops seem to be trying to fix ergonomic issues to allow older folks to keep working.

Bro was the smart one in the family and I went into legal dentistry - so what do I know.

[ex-powderbroker]

from what i have seen being a mechanic is a tough gig and possibly underpaid. there should also be less maintenance on new EVs although it hasn't worked that way yet.

What about the blue collar airport gigs? or customs, baggage, etc, is there some upside there?

[Ted Striker]

Unless something has changed, becoming a mechanic usually requires a large investment in tools.

[Mazderati]

There's a loan for that.

[Ted Striker]

Sure, on top of his loan for trade school.

[XXX-er]

my neighbor was a snap-on dealer for awhile, said he almost made it but gave it up to go back on the wrenches

[Mazderati]

Sure, on top of his loan for trade school.

What better way to start out a new trade than in debt?

[The AD]

I can't believe no one has suggested dental school yet. This place is really slipping.

[Ted Striker]

What better way to start out a new trade than in debt?

@XXXer, a friend of mine too. Started as a motorcycle mechanic, got the snap-on truck so that he could be in business for himself. That wasn't himself enough so he opened his own shop. The stress of being the boss at the shop, dealing with "the public" customers, worrying about making payroll, etc, was getting to him, so he did what JPH is considering, and sold the shop to go work for a snowboard company.

[old goat]

Accelerated degree to RN program? 1-3 years.

Been an ICU nurse for 20+ years. It has treated me well, other than the last three years...

I consider it an in-between. A grey-collar job.

More like brown collar, and shirt, and pants, and shoes, and throw in some red and green for kicks.

[XXX-er]

Sure, on top of his loan for trade school.

junior did a high end trade rebuilding the really big ( big enough to walk thru) industrial electirc motors, basicly they were spancering him and the company was pretty good about paying for stuff, cuz there is a whole lot to know so these guys are not a dime a doz like somebody pulling wires on a building site

he took 5 yrs off to pursue other interests so they recently buy him lunch want him to come back as the charge hand/ mo money/ no loss of vaca or senority/ pay for the cell phone/ buy him a truck full of fuel every couple of weeks, he sez he likes it again and the money is almost obscene

[Timberridge]

I can't believe no one has suggested dental school yet. This place is really slipping.

I like the idea, the world can always use one more dentist. I just worry at 40, does he have enough years left in him to recover the cost?

https://srfs.upenn.edu/costs-budgeting/dental

[Core Shot]

How hard would it be to become a PA.

Seems like 90 to $110k from what I see.

You’ve got college obviously from the special Ed.
It’s not much more to PA

[fatnslow]

How hard would it be to become a PA.

Still medical. All your resume still works.
Seems like 90 to $110k from what I see.

It's like med school but easier to get into and make 1/4 the money.

[AlpiNord]

If you want your winters off, this could be the perfect job. Low initial investment, selective travel and always in demand:

[sb]

On the topic of killing things a buddy is an exterminator, specifically bed bugs. He has a couple of dogs that find them and they are killed mainly with heat.

With all the dumb fucks that like to travel its not going away soon although he has told me some peoples houses are pretty gross. Also dealing with peoples bad attitudes is a big negative. He says lesbians are the worst of the lot.

[ötzi]

Well I'm sure a bumfuck West Virginia exterminator is right up to speed on lesbians.

A buddy of mine who is an exterminator said to never get a mattress delivered, go get it yourself. People get rid of mattresses because of bugs. The delivery dudes throw the old mattresses in the back of the truck with the new mattresses they're delivering. Instant bedbugs.

[AdironRider]

I like the idea, the world can always use one more dentist. I just worry at 40, does he have enough years left in him to recover the cost?

https://srfs.upenn.edu/costs-budgeting/dental

What could they possibly cover that would take 4 years to be a dentist?

Such topics as, the 'Effects of root canal procedures on your ability to buy a home in Breckenridge' or 'Skiers thumb, the silent career killer'.

[Ted Striker]

I have a dentist friend. People ask why I don't go to him, and my answer is I don't want him finding a Wiegele trip in my mouth.

[Core Shot]

If you want your winters off, this could be the perfect job. Low initial investment, selective travel and always in demand:

Wondering if I could do that for chipmunks burrowing under my walkways.
I do have a harbor freight flamethrower.
Wish me luck. Or bad luck.
Either way that looks like fun.

Creepy story about bed bugs in delivery mattresses. But makes sense.

[DBdude]

As far as the OP, he's not coming into this having flown in the military in his 20's and fast tracking into the left seat. He's 40+... maybe even has bad eyesight.

To each his own, but according to my neighbor who flew for United for many years and morphed into a corporate pilot for a large bank about 7 yrs ago, airline work was worse in comparison, and he wouldn't go back.

I knew a guy flying a320s to Africa to go back to a regional here in the states

Gave it up

He said it was kind of unsafe in Africa and sketched him out

He stayed at the safest and bestest

Other long time pilots I knew bitched but supply and demand has changed in the industry since I was talking to pilots regularly

Sent from my iPhone using TGR Forums

[AlpiNord]

Wondering if I could do that for chipmunks burrowing under my walkways.
I do have a harbor freight flamethrower.
Wish me luck. Or bad luck.
Either way that looks like fun.

Creepy story about bed bugs in delivery mattresses. But makes sense.

Just like this guy: