[Tom Vaught]

Originally Posted by Lemans64

Taking the Auto trade as my Job. Yes it had it's benefits, but buying your own tools to the tune of at least 50g, putting up with stupid Engineers crap, then having to repair it in somebody else time frame, where they got the time from I don't know. I could have worked in the lumber industry for more money, less crap and no worries that somebody is gonna accuse you of not fixing something right, or crap goes wrong and you get to fix it for free. I did earn a living but it has taken a toll on my body and mind. A few more years to go.

1) I am an Engineer, 39 years in the game.

2) Last count I had 12 tool boxes (in my garage and workshop downstairs).
About 50% Snap-on stuff and 25% smaller Harbor Freight boxes, (7 drawer end cabinets, (as they are easier to organize in my workshop). The rest were older Sears chests.

3) I did the Mechanic job in my Uncles Pontiac Dealership for a few years and went back to the University for an advanced degree.

Several years working for Holley Carburetor and 39 years for the FOMOCO
guys. I did the 24 hour shift work in the Emissions/F.E. organization as my first job there. Threw 50 lb bags of shot (weight) to set the correct weight for EPA testing prior to shipping the vehicle to EPA's test site.

Did the traveling deal living out of Motel rooms another 8 years as a Truck Test Engineer. Testing was all over the USA.

Did the Advanced Engineering work for 6 years. Lots of travel to different test tracks and wind tunnels. Again living out of motel rooms or Company owned condos.

Research was nice as I was finally able to be with my family. But I have always been a hardware guy.

So you could have made more money working for the Lumber guys vs the Mechanic job. Why didn't you leave???

Always interested in why people stayed in the same job for years even though they hated the work. Care to explain????

Tom V.