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Started By
Message
re: What can you tell me about being a Pipefitter?
Posted on 1/22/22 at 6:47 pm to GlobeFish
Posted on 1/22/22 at 6:47 pm to GlobeFish
Learn to weld or run a CNC Machine.
Find a job with a local fab shop and then register for night class at a junior college for welding or machining.
You'll get on the job training while at work and additional learning/experience in the evening.
Focus on getting your certs and doors will open up after that to make more money.
Find a job with a local fab shop and then register for night class at a junior college for welding or machining.
You'll get on the job training while at work and additional learning/experience in the evening.
Focus on getting your certs and doors will open up after that to make more money.
This post was edited on 1/22/22 at 6:52 pm
0
Posted on 1/22/22 at 7:07 pm to GlobeFish
My neighbor is a union pipefitter for a large HVAC company. Dude works hard, but he's home by 4 or 415 everyday and works M-F unless there is some super pressing project that needs weekend work. I think he's worked 2 weekends in the past 2 years.
Posted on 1/22/22 at 7:13 pm to GlobeFish
Have you looked into the boiler maker trade?
Posted on 1/22/22 at 7:16 pm to LSUtigerME
quote:
Pay is pretty good for the work and requirements. However, depending on your ability and intelligence, you’ll be working around a bunch of dumbasses with a few quality guys mixed in. Unfortunately, pay won’t progress too well in 5 years unless you can advance and run a crew or pick up a more exclusive craft (welding, crane operator, E&I).
quote:
Turnarounds are 12-14 hour days, 7 days a week. You’ll usually get your 14th day off, but it’s back at it after that. It’s exhausting and gets old after a month or so. But you get paid a premium for working all the time. If you can find steady work with the occasional TA, that’s usually preferred to bouncing from TA to TA.
This guy nailed it. My old man was a pipefitter/welder, ran his own crew. Traveled all over the region working the shifts described above. Made a cubic frickton of money, but we never saw him.
Posted on 1/22/22 at 7:17 pm to GlobeFish
Brother in law started as a pipe fitter at a navy base in Pensacola. Over 7 years he’s become a department supervisor and is making just short of $100K
Posted on 1/22/22 at 7:18 pm to GlobeFish
Not a bad gig, but they will push union. My son went deckhand and worked his way up to tankerman in 2 years on the river. Will be a captain if he wants it later. One way or the other, a computer will not take away either role in the near future. I know several boilermakers if you would like more info
Posted on 1/22/22 at 7:22 pm to Grifola
quote:
Now my advice to a 19 yr old going into a craft would be either Electrical or Instrumentation if you have the aptitude for it. These jobs are precious commodities to plants and are often company rather than contract.
I’m 45 and have considered making this move. I have 2 friends that have been telling me for years that this is the way to go. If i was 20, I’d either do E and I or join the military.
Posted on 1/22/22 at 7:29 pm to GlobeFish
I would say that if you are willing to work your arse off for long hours, it can be very lucrative. The end goal in my opinion would to eventually become a certified welding inspector (CWI). You won’t work that hard as a CWI, but will still work long hours.
Bottom line is, if you are not willing to work long hours under adverse don’t consider this.
Bottom line is, if you are not willing to work long hours under adverse don’t consider this.
Posted on 1/22/22 at 7:40 pm to GlobeFish
Learn how to work on a diesel tractors (commercial trucks) and if they go electrical.
Do not just understand how to turn a wrench.
Understand how to diagnose problems.
You will make more money, skill will be in demand, and be able to go anywhere in the country.
Do not just understand how to turn a wrench.
Understand how to diagnose problems.
You will make more money, skill will be in demand, and be able to go anywhere in the country.
This post was edited on 1/22/22 at 7:52 pm
Posted on 1/22/22 at 7:52 pm to GlobeFish
Pipe fitters on the union side are HVAC techs, (service and install which are totally different worlds) which have excellent work/life and pay. apprentices start at $19 foreman after 8 years are over $50 which is ideal. but the skills are required. Big difference in placing pipe hangers and troubleshooting a chiller. Pros of service... You're in a service van usually 7-3 with OT being double time, home every night. Install team are the "road dogs" always on the road 3-24 month projects around the country, turn arounds.... list goes on. Fitters, fit, weld, and do a variety of work.
Posted on 1/22/22 at 7:54 pm to notiger1997
Lots of pipefitters from Louisiana work turnarounds all over the country. Many of them save per diem money Hot sheeting hotel room beds, they also cook their own food to save more money BBQ pits and George Foreman grills.
Posted on 1/22/22 at 8:58 pm to GlobeFish
Honorable profession. Hard working men and women.
We need people who can build and repair things.
Pipe fitters, welders, boilermakers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, etc. are what makes America great.
They are deplorable. Like me.
Maga.
Trump won.
BIGLY.
We need people who can build and repair things.
Pipe fitters, welders, boilermakers, electricians, plumbers, carpenters, etc. are what makes America great.
They are deplorable. Like me.
Maga.
Trump won.
BIGLY.
Posted on 1/22/22 at 9:02 pm to GlobeFish
Do you have to start as a helper?
Posted on 1/22/22 at 9:07 pm to GlobeFish
Go to college in a good science major.
Posted on 1/22/22 at 9:07 pm to GlobeFish
It is not capitalized, if it were, Electricians as always would be top of the food chain.
Union, they make good money, good luck! At your age, you can do a double retire-ment, a buddy did just that.
Union, they make good money, good luck! At your age, you can do a double retire-ment, a buddy did just that.
Posted on 1/22/22 at 9:11 pm to GlobeFish
Pipefitters union runs St. Louis.
Posted on 1/22/22 at 9:24 pm to GlobeFish
Taking pipe isn’t the same as laying pipe.
Posted on 1/23/22 at 12:40 am to GlobeFish
I don’t know shite about a pipe fitter but I was a boilermaker for several years
I went to college and did a stint in the military. I was hanging in a bar in my mid 20’s with no real job to speak of and got a boilermaker job offer somehow.
I deleted a page of memorable shite and things I learned that just popped in my mind.
That was the hardest, most physically exhausting, dangerous great paying worst great time I’ve ever had with the greatest people and biggest pieces of shite I’ve ever met in my life.
I chased turn arounds and stacked cash for several years. It was weeks of 12-16 hour days. Then the safety guy decides he should give a twenty something with an arse pocket full of cash a day off on a Saturday in a strange city.
After a few years I realized I was never going to have a family and if I did it wasn’t going to end well.
Don’t do drugs
Tip the shite out of the bartender. That may be your only friend in a strange town.
Don’t put your finger anywhere you wouldn’t put your penis
Tie off. shite happens. (Unless you think you think you may burn to death then weigh the situation)
Don’t sleep in the welding shop. That shite will burn your eyes even though they are closed
There’s a lot of creeps and degenerates doing turnarounds and there’s a lot of guys with their shite together. You will be labeled
That’s all I got. I enjoyed it. I also hung it up. You do you.
(Pay)
A frick pile.
Good luck.
I went to college and did a stint in the military. I was hanging in a bar in my mid 20’s with no real job to speak of and got a boilermaker job offer somehow.
I deleted a page of memorable shite and things I learned that just popped in my mind.
That was the hardest, most physically exhausting, dangerous great paying worst great time I’ve ever had with the greatest people and biggest pieces of shite I’ve ever met in my life.
I chased turn arounds and stacked cash for several years. It was weeks of 12-16 hour days. Then the safety guy decides he should give a twenty something with an arse pocket full of cash a day off on a Saturday in a strange city.
After a few years I realized I was never going to have a family and if I did it wasn’t going to end well.
Don’t do drugs
Tip the shite out of the bartender. That may be your only friend in a strange town.
Don’t put your finger anywhere you wouldn’t put your penis
Tie off. shite happens. (Unless you think you think you may burn to death then weigh the situation)
Don’t sleep in the welding shop. That shite will burn your eyes even though they are closed
There’s a lot of creeps and degenerates doing turnarounds and there’s a lot of guys with their shite together. You will be labeled
That’s all I got. I enjoyed it. I also hung it up. You do you.
(Pay)
A frick pile.
Good luck.
Posted on 1/23/22 at 12:44 am to UncleRuckus
quote:
It’s a decent job but not a career. Chasing turnarounds isn’t a way to live
Ain’t that the truth.
West Texas Days
Vs1:
Well I needed money,
Had to lighten my load.
So I said my goodbyes,
And set out on the road,
Chasin that paper,
Just to make the ends meet,
The only thing certain,
Is death and high taxes,
And these boots on my feet,
Chorus:
And it’s West Texas days,
Or east Texas nights,
The only thing that don’t change,
Are these neon lights,
Lonely hotel rooms,
Meals from a sack,
And lord I miss home,
But I don’t know,
If I can ever go back,
Vs2:
Well I knew a lady,
That was pretty as sin,
And she’d send me pictures,
In not much more than skin,
Her old man didn’t like it,
And he made it real clear,
That I’d have a bullet,
Waiting for me,
If I showed up back there,
Chorus:
And it’s West Texas days,
Or east Texas nights,
The only thing that don’t change,
Are these neon lights,
Lonely hotel rooms,
Meals from a sack,
And lord I miss home,
But I don’t know,
If I can ever go back,
Vs3:
Well I pay the bills on,
A house where I don’t live,
Send my ex wife money,
It’s all I have to give,
Yeah I miss my children,
My family and friends,
Well the road just gets longer,
But the hunger gets stronger,
Just don’t know where it ends.
Chorus:
And it’s West Texas days,
Or east Texas nights,
The only thing that don’t change,
Are these neon lights
Lonely hotel rooms,
Meals from a sack,
And lord I miss home,
But I don’t know,
If I can ever go back,
Posted on 1/23/22 at 12:56 am to Slevin7
quote:
What can you tell me about being a Pipefitter? by Slevin7
Read what this man says. It applies to the job you’re going to get. A lot of people in this thread are posting good (and bad) advice, but either way it doesn’t apply to your situation. But this long post by Slevin7 covers what you’ll actually be doing.
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