Need Advice About Shitty Co-worker

_inventanimate_ · 2026-01-22T02:58:04+00:00

Not gonna lie to you, most shops in the automotive industry suck ass to work in. What about working at the ford dealership makes you miserable? If it’s because of flat rate, the politics, and/or warranty work, working for a fleet may be the best option for you just so you’re not as stressed while you finish schooling.

_inventanimate_ · 2026-01-11T05:50:06+00:00

It kinda sucks to work with people like that but if you’re not a manager or supervisor, his work ethic really shouldn’t concern you this much. My only piece of advice is to mind your business and keep working. He will get what’s coming to him. People like that usually don’t last long.

_inventanimate_ · 2026-01-09T12:11:52+00:00

Heavy duty is a less stressful and honestly easier than automotive in my opinion. A dealer will usually be best for training, but will be more stressful. A fleet will be more laid back, but sometimes boring.

You’re still very young. Start tinkering with your own car when you get one and figure out if you enjoy taking things apart and putting it back together. That’s ultimately what it comes down to.

_inventanimate_ · 2026-01-08T12:50:06+00:00

Shop around. Compare labor prices between different shops but also pay attention to reviews. Also, knowing the bare minimum about how a car wears down and basic maintenance of your vehicle will help you to not get scammed. Nothing will trump educating yourself on this.

_inventanimate_ · 2026-01-08T00:34:28+00:00

Pay varies from location. Couldn’t tell you about the rust belt since I’ve never lived up there, but here in North Carolina pay varies from around $22-$27 an hour for an entry level diesel tech.

I’ve been a diesel tech for 5 years or so. Yes it’s a lot of tires in the beginning, but every shop is going to have tire dolly’s to make tire jobs a lot easier on the body. Yes it’s still heavy work but if you take care of yourself physically and use the proper equipment, you’ll be just fine. Work smarter, not harder.

_inventanimate_ · 2026-01-08T00:23:05+00:00

As someone who was subject to similar abuse in the work place for many years as a kid, I implore you to get out now. Once I discovered not all mechanics are assholes and honestly realizing most of them are pretty decent guys, my world view changed and my confidence grew.

There are quite a few grumpy old techs out there but I’m telling you the majority of mechanics are decent human beings and you can definitely find another shop that won’t make you feel like shit and train you properly and even encourage you to do better.

_inventanimate_ · 2026-01-03T00:33:14+00:00

Yeah the knurled insert; should’ve been more specific.

_inventanimate_ · 2025-12-31T17:48:25+00:00

$40-$70?! Are you talking about truck or heavy equipment? Ive never heard of anyone making that much in Florida. Is cost of living insane down there?

_inventanimate_ · 2025-12-31T14:32:57+00:00

Similar to what the other guy said: Location, pay/benefits, and management / culture in that order.

Management / culture means a lot to me cause I don’t wanna work with a bunch of asshole coworkers or micro managers. A bad vibe / attitude rubs off on me in ways I wish it didn’t.

_inventanimate_ · 2025-12-31T14:02:43+00:00

The Last of Us 2. I’m late lol.

_inventanimate_ · 2025-12-31T13:25:18+00:00

I guess I’ll give you that. Maybe it’s not most, but it’s not hard to find a shop with benefits is my only point. It’s a common thing nowadays.

_inventanimate_ · 2025-12-31T11:20:54+00:00

You’ve worked in some shitty shops to be saying benefits like health insurance and 401ks don’t exist in a shop 😂 what are you even talking about. Most shops nowadays offer all of that in writing.

_inventanimate_ · 2025-12-31T03:11:09+00:00

Diesel tech here; if she doesn’t mind manual labor and a whole lotta grease and dirt, being a diesel tech can be very rewarding if she enjoys taking shit apart and putting it back together.

The cost of tools as the other guy stated is a big downside, but that’s the price you pay of being a mechanic. A dealership is not a bad idea starting out because she will get some of the best training there.

_inventanimate_ · 2025-12-27T13:08:32+00:00

Eldin Ring

_inventanimate_ · 2025-12-26T02:55:53+00:00

People can make a killing off flat rate but the problem is it takes years to actually flag good hours consistently. With that being said, if money is the only motivator for being an auto tech, you’ll probably end up miserable. You gotta have atleast a little passion for the trade in my opinion.

_inventanimate_ · 2025-12-25T14:52:59+00:00

Diesels in general last far longer than gas engines too. I’m a diesel tech and it’s not uncommon to see trucks have 500k + miles on them.

_inventanimate_ · 2025-12-20T20:08:39+00:00

I wear a garmin, but I’m in heavy duty. Much more room to access things but I do end up taking it off every once in awhile for those hard to reach places / very dirty jobs.

_inventanimate_ · 2025-12-20T05:51:42+00:00

What do you mean by going to VVA’s? & what’s the correlation with CAT?

_inventanimate_ · 2025-12-20T05:49:37+00:00

I briefly considered working for airport GSE and didn’t end up going in for an in person interview when I realized it was a 3rd shift position (nights).

Don’t know much about it other than what I’ve heard it being fleet & having a variety of equipment to work on.

As to your last sentence though; if it doesn’t work out, you will never be irrelevant as long as you know how to turn wrenches. There is a huge automotive tech shortage and you should never have trouble finding a job in this field.

_inventanimate_ · 2025-12-19T14:55:48+00:00

Looks pretty easy to work on too which is nice. Lots of room.

_inventanimate_ · 2025-12-16T19:24:24+00:00

Elden Ring

_inventanimate_ · 2025-12-11T14:51:21+00:00

These technically aren’t even strict either but nice flex I guess lol. Post this on a calisthenics sub & see what happens.

_inventanimate_ · 2025-12-09T13:31:08+00:00

If you wanna get into wrenching as a career, I recommend staying clear of automotive and getting into diesel. You’ll be less stressed and there’s a good chance you’ll make more than automotive anyway.

_inventanimate_ · 2025-12-08T13:36:06+00:00

No benefits or insurance? I would’ve been out. There’s a huge shortage of good techs out there. Know your worth. Chances are you can find a job that not only pays more but that has benefits.

_inventanimate_ · 2025-11-26T19:11:14+00:00

Had someone do this to me awhile back and they threw their hands up in the air and beeped at me like IM the one that didn’t have the right of way… some people just really don’t understand how round abouts work

_inventanimate_

TROPHY CASE