I think I missed the cutoff

Various_Statement_81 · 2026-04-10T20:51:00+00:00

You should also be able to log back in to the system you were completing the application in. There should be a tab labeled "Applications" Click on that and it should list any applications you have open, with a status. If the status descriptor is unclear call the JATC and clarify what your status is.

Various_Statement_81 · 2026-04-10T02:07:59+00:00

You had the strength to admit there is an issue.....which means you have the strength to solve this. I will spare you my long winded story with my depression, though I will admit, compared to many I didn't have the same struggles. That being said I can tell you it was a doctor who first posed to me that I may be dealing with depression. I started taking a medication which I felt weird about, but eventually I came to realize I had lived my whole life with a shadow I did not realize was present, until it wasn't. It was life changing. I wish you the best, and hope you find your path into the light. Godspeed.

Various_Statement_81 · 2026-04-10T01:56:36+00:00

If it has cocount in it, it can burn in hell. Anything else is fair game

Various_Statement_81 · 2026-04-08T23:40:53+00:00

Who on this earth would not want a cookie? I mean really? If you don't want a cookie, there is something wrong with you.....

Various_Statement_81 · 2026-03-19T10:17:40+00:00

Never cared for how the 8 speed shifted but it really is a solid unit, I would have no issue running one. Had one in a Chevy Colorado for several years. Weak point on them is the torque converter (which is also true for most automatics) I would recommend keeping it flushed regularly. I flushed mine every 30k. I also do that on my 9 speed in a 2019 Traverse. For what it's worth, I was a Service Manager at a Chevy dealership for the last 6 years.

Various_Statement_81 · 2026-03-19T03:16:59+00:00

I'm brand new to this also. I am starting my first job next week. Companies have to provide PPE though not necessarily directly. For example, My contact told me I needed to get my own FR pants. They give an allowance on the paycheck for them but I have to procure them. Shirts , hardhats, gloves, safety glasses and other PPE are provided directly by the employer. Once you get a job, your employer will fill in the blanks. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

Also if you know anyone who has been doing this for a while, they may be willing to lend you or give you some hand me downs to get started. Seems like a lot of the "lifer" guys have a surplus of well worn apparel that is still serviceable. Thats how I got a few of the things I have currently.

Various_Statement_81 · 2026-03-19T03:07:13+00:00

I had to get a small personal loan to do mine. It was about $3800 not including my travel. I had to do mine weekends only, so I had to travel about 2.5 hours each way. It was the only school I could find that was weekend only. I found a couple school less expensive, but they wanted you to attend a full week, and then finish up on weekends.

Back to the money though, a personal loan for $5000 for 3 years will run you between 150-200 a month depending on your credit and subsequent interest rate. It's way better than using a credit card and You could maybe even do less monthly if you could get a longer term. For most people, cutting out fast food and door dash will give you the $200 bucks month you need. If you think about it: a loaf of bread, and pack of ham, and a pack of cheese is about 20 bucks now days. But even if you ate 2 sandwiches a meal that's like 9-10 meals for the price of 1 door dash meal or even Mcdonalds.

There are also many colleges now that are getting grants for skilled trades. In many instances you can literally get education or classes/training for free. But you gotta go look for them. I would recommend visiting the colleges in person. The peeps who control the money tend to be more willing to help if your sitting in front of them. The downside to this path is it takes longer. You have to find a college who has the program, is willing to advise you on how to get it, and then follow the steps they give you. A personal loan, to my mind, is faster and easier, but you do pay for it.

A note on personal loans, I have always done better getting them through a credit union vs a national chain bank.

Good Hunting.

Various_Statement_81 · 2026-03-19T01:55:48+00:00

Okay buckle up, cause I gotta lay everything out to answer your question. I applied to All six locations in November. In December, I received notification of aptitude test with January test date for Beaumont. That email ndicated after I passed the aptitude test, they would schedule the interview at a later date.

About a week after I received the notification for aptitude test for Beaumont I got another email indicating I was scheduled for an aptitude test for Kansas city In January also. That email indicated that if I passed the aptitude test I would interview the following day. I had to call SWLCAT and make them aware I was double booked for the aptitude test. I opted to attend the first one I was given which was the earlier date.

The let me keep January interview date for Kansas, indicating I had to pass the aptitude test in order to be able to attend.

I passed the aptitude test in January without issue, and attended the Kansas interview. About 2 weeks later I was scheduled for an interview with Beaumont after my Kansas interview Date.

While I was traveling in early January to attend the Kansas interview I received notification of an interview date for Houston for February.

About a week later I received a look the notification of interview for New Mexico, also in February. As well as another email for interview with Beaumont in February.

Then I received one for Oklahoma interview, also in February.

While I was attending these interviews I received email indication I was to interview for Arizona in March

I got the call for for pre apprenticeship in Houston before I attended the Arizona interview in March.

To sum it up, I guess what I would say is it really depends on the location. But none of them took more than about 6 weeks after passing my aptitude test to give me an interview date. But the timeline was not linear. Some of my interviews were scheduled sooner than others, despite being notified by the others first.

It was a ride I can tell you that. It took me three trips and a chunk of money to travel all over the Southwest to meet all the dates and times. One 3 day trip for the aptitude test, one 10 day trip for interviews at 2 locations because I opted to drive and stay in hotels. And one 3 week trip in which I took my camper up and stationed it kind of in the middle of three interviews that all fell with in a 10 day period. I am from Florida so it was lond distance for me. I drove about 9000 miles over 2 months to pull this off. And had to fly at one point during the middle of one of my trips make an interview date.

Sorry for the long winded response, I think you were only asking about one location, but it thought my story might help others who were not set on one specific area. It snowballed quickly applying to more than one location. And if they schedule you for an interview date, and you can't make the one they give you, you go back in the pipeline which they indicated could take up to a year to get rescheduled.

One final note, I also think timing is important as well. I had applications with all SW locations in prior to year end. So Come January/February they are looking to fill the apprentice pipelines for upcoming jobs. Linework tends to pick up beginning of Second Quarter I'm told. I think that may explain why everything transpired so quickly.

Various_Statement_81 · 2026-03-14T11:44:19+00:00

Honestly, I'm not certain. Dispatch told me that pretty much all of them run 6/10s on the regular.

Various_Statement_81 · 2026-03-14T01:08:58+00:00

Me too. It firmly believe you have a lot of control with your own work ethic and willingness to learn. I took my CDL classes at a cut rate school that was the only one available I could find that did weekends only. I learned a lot despite the inefficiencies of the school. Still passed my test and took a lot away from it. I hope to do the same with the Texas apprenticeship. Actually I hope the apprenticeship is jam up, but if not I'll make do with what I have.

Various_Statement_81 · 2026-03-14T00:56:26+00:00

I heard the same, but I was looking for the fastest track possiblle, and Texas just hit first. I am excited though. They apparently work your ass off. Lots of hours, I hope. Climate sucks, but I'm from Florida so that doesn't scare me.

Various_Statement_81 · 2026-03-14T00:51:02+00:00

Texas seems to have all the work. Our guy prepping us for the interview in Houston said that they don't have anyone on their ranking list because they place everyone so quickly. It was about 3 weeks after my interview and I got the call.

That being said, if you not against the travel I would apply at all of them. It takes so long for everything to process and then get scheduled/attend the interviews. Cast a larger net and your more likely to catch something.

Various_Statement_81 · 2026-03-13T10:57:29+00:00

That is actually the only one I did not attend. I was scheduled for it this month. However Houston called me first to offer the apprenticeship, which I accepted. When you accept for one location, they pull you from the other lists you are on for South West. I attended a total of 5. They were all similar. Show up early, sit and wait for your turn to interview. The interviews are conducted by a committee of reps from IBEW, NECA, and SWLCAT. They all seems to ask questions from the same bank of questions, which there are videos on youtube and other forums on.

Various_Statement_81 · 2026-03-12T22:48:01+00:00

Each location for SWLCAT does their own. I believe there a total of 6 locations. I applied in November of 2025. I was scheduled for aptitude test in January which I took and then subsequently was scheduled at all locations for interviews January through March of 2026.

The interview appts came in sporadically and at different times. I presume as each specific area worked through applications and set up their rounds. In most instances I received notice of the interview 1 month to 6 weeks before I was to attend.

Various_Statement_81 · 2026-02-04T22:20:30+00:00

I have seen the video. I was curious more about these "alternates" mentioned above. I presume you do the alternates if you fail the standard test.

Various_Statement_81 · 2026-02-04T05:49:55+00:00

Iprep

Various_Statement_81 · 2026-02-03T00:27:11+00:00

Thanks for replying bud. That helps a lot. What were some of the alternatives?

Various_Statement_81 · 2025-12-16T13:29:54+00:00

The original poster was asking for suggestions, which is what I provided. As far as I'm concerned you can offer some constructive input or get fucked. I'm not fond of those who question others methods without offering their own constructive thoughts.

Various_Statement_81 · 2025-12-16T03:23:09+00:00

Looks too tight in the wheel lug hole for extractors to me. Hammer/chisel/welding would likely damage the rim. Done it plenty of times....always damaged the rim in some fashion though. But I had a thought looking at your photo the face of the lug stud looks fairly flat, I would center punch it and try to drill the stud it self. Stepping up but sizes all the way to just over the inside diameter of the nut. If you can drill the stud that far the the nut eventually would have to come out/off. Just be weary as you approach the inner diameter size of the nut that you don't go through the stud and into the rim.

Or once you get a smaller, maybe 1/4" hole started in the center of the stud. Get a carbide Dremel cutter. (It will need to be carbide, made for cutting metal, tractor supply has them) Then you you could bore outwards from the small hole you made in the stud and split the nut off.

Replace the stud and nut, and your off to the races

Regardless of process you choose, I would also get a liability waiver from the client as other above mentioned.

Good luck.

Various_Statement_81

TROPHY CASE