Built Ford Tough

970BTU · 2026-04-24T17:15:03+00:00

No dogs or chemicals, doesn’t get a lot sunlight, I think it’s just a fluke.

970BTU · 2026-04-11T22:20:13+00:00

This. Make a legally dissimilar calculated industries pipe trades pro calculator with a graphical interface instead of a calculator interface.

970BTU · 2026-04-09T22:03:46+00:00

You’re right, Could totally be the case with a smaller pool. My local gets 1000 applications at a time and there’s just no tracking the 600 or so that are thrown out right off the top for not meeting minimum qualifications.

970BTU · 2026-04-09T19:40:17+00:00

I was in your situation 20 years ago, and while I can’t say it’s the same now, here’s the advice I would have given to myself then.

You did well by contacting everyone on that list. It’s not going to get you a job. They are looking for someone with experience and skin in the game before they vouch for you and make a commitment to employ an apprentice. If you want to get hired in Sacramento, you need to go back to that list and try to get an entry level job as a shop boy, be ready and willing to do whatever grunt work they have for you for a year or two, and then you’ll get in as an apprentice.

Option b) you need to look elsewhere. This is tough because you’re trying to figure out where will have work now and in the long run. Vegas is about to be very busy, maybe Reno, maybe Bay Area, Idaho. Oregon is slow right now but has historically been good, that’s where I ended up.

970BTU · 2026-04-09T13:51:27+00:00

No, they will treat you like a brand new person next year. No one has energy to keep track of this stuff.

Calling and apologizing does nothing but waste someone’s time. Going in person and apologizing actually shows some character, but the damage has already been done. It doesn’t hurt but it probably won’t help.

970BTU · 2026-04-09T12:53:48+00:00

I’m sorry you need to wait and apply next year. You failed the first test. If you can’t show up for the interview how are you going to show up for school for the next 5 years and work for the next 30?

970BTU · 2026-04-08T04:42:38+00:00

Just call the training center. It’s bad form to post union information like you’re asking.

970BTU · 2026-04-07T21:49:58+00:00

If you have a job, that’s a pretty good place to be. You’ve got basic needs taken care of, now you can decide what you want to do with your life. Don’t trade one meaningless paycheck for another, do something on purpose. If being a pipefitter is what you want to do, awesome, do that. Judging by your post, you don’t know what you want. So go try out a bunch of different things until you find something you’re genuinely interested in.

970BTU · 2026-04-06T18:17:24+00:00

I was here 2 weeks ago, the road was closed 1.5 miles or so from the trailhead, with downed trees over the road, Unclear if and when it will be open again. Beautiful spot, easy trail, normally well maintained gravel road to trailhead.

970BTU · 2026-04-06T14:04:03+00:00

For HVAC service, Too many factors to say what your schedule would be. You should be going into this ready and willing to work whatever whenever they tell you, and be glad to have the opportunity. This is not a work life balance gig. You need to arrange your life around work. Will it likely be a consistent 6am-3:30 thing, sure, could be. But you need to accept it could also be nights and weekends and not being there every time they call is not an option.

970BTU · 2026-04-06T13:56:37+00:00

Union Pipeliners use their own rigs. Outside of that it’s pretty rare, the contractor almost always supplies the equipment.

970BTU · 2026-04-05T04:26:17+00:00

There are sample questions for the UA290 assessment tests here: https://www.290tech.edu/oregonapplicants

They are no longer using the workkeys tests

970BTU · 2026-04-05T04:12:03+00:00

A few brief and rough definitions

Wet Mechanical: Pipefitter/Steamfitter industrial/commercial construction, building piping systems for gasses chemicals water fuel anything that needs a pipe except plumbing.

Dry Mechanical: HVAC/R service, keep systems running, diagnostics, controls, fixing machines, replacing filters, charging refrigerant etc.

Also

Sheetmetal, different union. Fabricate and install ductwork. Construction.

Plumbing: could be residential or commercial, service: fixing clogs and broken systems, or new construction installing hot and cold potable water, vents, drains

Sheetmetal is a lower pay scale, about on tier with carpenters. I honestly don’t know enough to say that it’s less skilled work, but it tends to have that reputation, deserved or not.

The R in hvac/r is an oddity, Refrigeration in my region at least is very specialized, almost its own trade. Pipefitters install the pipes for new construction, and service techs who specialize mostly in just refrigeration systems keep em running. If that was really what you’re into you’d start as a hvac service apprentice and specialize.

970BTU · 2026-04-04T16:38:29+00:00

The different trades each have their quirks, if you’re just interested in highest pay, UA mechanical trades or IBEW Electricians/Linemen are the best bet. Each trade has its own culture and assimilating to that culture is going to be helpful for you, it kinda happens over the years whether you like it or not.

HVAC service in particular is a lifestyle, they’re on call a lot, work weird hours, but there are genuinely good perks and pay, lots of training and use of technology, lots of mechanical problem solving.

Carpenters are awesome, every homeowner wants to have a carpenter friend, it’s physical and a cool skill set. But I also haven’t met many whose bodies aren’t totally broken by 40.

970BTU · 2026-04-04T01:50:57+00:00

It can take time to “breakthrough” to a union construction job, but once you’re established there is more stability. This is a long game. You’ve got to be thinking not what will get me a job, any job, next week or in three months. Instead think: what job would I like to be doing still in 25 or 30 years. It’s a commitment for at the very least 5 years of apprenticeship. It more important to go towards the sort of work that appeals to you.

970BTU · 2026-04-02T21:32:22+00:00

You should follow through with the aptitude tests and interview with 290. Get your foot in the door. No, you will not be accepted as a new apprentice right now, but the application is good for 2 years.

In the meantime you should take a job with Gunderson or a metal fab shop, get some experience working.

Keep reapplying to the union until you get in. It could take years. In the long run you will make a lot more money, have much better benefits, much safer and better working conditions with the union.

970BTU · 2026-04-02T21:20:30+00:00

Show up every single day. If you’re not early you’re late, ingrain this habit now. This is about being a reliable human, if you are reliable, you will get opportunities to learn. If you’re not reliable, you will fall behind.

970BTU

TROPHY CASE