william1978

Have any of you every been a elevator man or worked as one? Any thoughts would be appreciated. I'm just about burned out on electrical work.

nolabama

No, but i do know one. Lots of step logic and dc relay work from what I gather from him.

__________________
“Dammit, Smithers, this isn’t rocket science, it’s brain surgery!”

steelersman

Don't do it. You'd have to join the union. The evil union. I don't kow of any elevator companies that are non-union.

nolabama

he is right about the union thing
its the hardest one to get into 'round here
from what i hear nepotism wont help

__________________
“Dammit, Smithers, this isn’t rocket science, it’s brain surgery!”

drsparky

Elevator work has its ups and downs.

__________________
Stupid Flanders

william1978

I don't have a problem joining the union. All of them around here are Union And they share a office with local 379.

RyanB

I worked for Dover Elevators for two years as an electronics tech. I helped the mechanics in the field and directly worked with them to fix elevators.

I really enjoyed working on elevators. Lots of challenges if you enjoy troubleshooting. Lots of mechanical work in addition to the electrical. Lots of variety in controls.

The work can be hard if you are on construction or service. Lots of carrying and moving heavy equipment and cable. Maintenance is a bit easier. Usually, you have to work up to a maintenance route after working a lot of years on construction.

I notice that you are one of the anti-union rat guys. Most of the elevator mechanics are unionized. If you are anti-union, your job opportunities will be very limited. Otis, Thyssen-Krupp, Fujitec, Kone, and Schindler are all unionized. Union guys make excellent money.

The non-union companies tend to be much smaller and work on residential or light commercial.

BuzzKill

Never worked for an elevator company but I have wired new elevator installations. The old installations are so freaking cool. The "computer" that runs the damn thing is like this 6 foot tall by 5 foot wide by 18 inch deep wiring jumble of contactors and contacts just going off like crazy when an elevator would start moving from floor to floor. Wish I had taken pix, I'll never see that again; the technology was early 1900's.

cdnelectrician

They make a lot more than we do! And as said in a previous post, verrry hard to get into the union. But so is getting into the IBEW. The thing I respect about elevator dudes over IBEW guys is that they stick together. They really are a "union".

They cannot bend conduit for sh!t though lol

william1978

I'm not anti-union I'm just tired a few on here posting like union is the only way to go. BTW I was union just 2 years ago.

william1978

Smart guy.

william1978

You are right those old elevators are really cool. I have only seen one and like you said boy does that thing make some noise.

william1978

Yea, down here they make about $10 more on the hour than a JW electrician

cdnelectrician

I'm sure it's because there are way more electricians than elevator mechanics. But, there aren't very many elevator companies out there!

william1978

I agree.


They sure seem to have the GC's buy the balls on every job I have been. The elevator man says jump, and the GC says how high?

macmikeman

Don't care much for the smell in the machine rooms, but the controls work is awesome. I had to integrate access control systems with elevator control. We designed, the elevator mechanics performed. Ever check out one of the older cube relay based controllers? Mindbending....

Grimlock

I don't know, I don't think you would look too good in one of those suits... Plus you have to know your numbers...

william1978

Wise ass!!!!

bobelectric

Reminder of a WHO song of a butler or a servent.

s.kelly

Before I got into electrical work, I worked for 2 different non union elevator companies. The work was mostly home elevators and accessibility stuff in homes, schools, churches etc.

I really liked the work, the variety of electric, hydraulic, mechanical, finish work all rolled into one. The non union route in my experience did not pay well at all, or I would still be doing it. There can also be a fair alount of travel for non union companies. I think the union outfits travel less, mostly as they have lots of work in the cities with highrises. The union route pays well,has good benefits, but is higher, and heavier material if either of those things bother you.

Even as non union "competition" and with a friend in the local, I felt like it was going to be some time before I could have gotten in the local. I was fed up already with the company I was working for, so I joined the electrician apprenticeship instead.

With patience, the union is a great opportunity. To find the non union companies,look for companies with residential elevators or stair lifts in their ads. I looked once and I think there were several that were likely non union in the Charlotte area.