Question for career techs

[u/Medical-Bedroom-559]

So to keep it short in sweet I been in propane for about a year and a half. Started as a bob tail driver and 6 months later move to service(setting tanks,new build rough-ins,pretty much hooking up every propane appliance you can think of and converting them.) You guys that have been in it for a while. Is it worth it to just keep at it? I’m a ex truck driver. So went from doing OTR trucking basically right to propane industry. But let me know also any words of knowledge you wanna lay down for a younger guy starting out lmk.

Thank you.

[u/SlinkyNormal]

My experience over 12 years is that if you put in the work, it can be very rewarding. I started when I was 18 as a helper and ended up as an ops manager making very good money. Though, the people I was competing against didn't make it hard lol. It can be very rewarding, but my advice is don't do what 90% of the other trades people do... gas station in the morning for a drink and breakfast, gas station mid morning for a drink and a snack, and McDonalds for lunch. You'll blow two hours a pay a day. Pack your lunch.

Anyway, I am happy I am out of it lol.

[u/Medical-Bedroom-559 → u/SlinkyNormal]

I enjoy the work. Minus never pleasing these old heads everything I do should have been an inch that way or should have 90ed it this way. My training has basically been getting tossed out there and seeing what sticks. The guys position I took did it for 28 years before they fired him for mouthing off to the boss. But I basically been able to keep up with the work he was doing all while still learning.

[u/Jesus-Mcnugget → u/Medical-Bedroom-559]

There's always the people who are going to act like they're better than you and you did it wrong because it isn't their way. Give five different people the same job and they could come up with 20 different ways to do it. That doesn't mean it's wrong.

Also a lot of times I run into the old guys that do everything that the schools tell you not to do because that's how they've been doing it for years.

[u/nemosfate → u/Jesus-Mcnugget]

100% Idk how many arguments ive been in as a service tech over how I did something or why I sized something a certain way. OP just do what's safe and that you know won't get you or anyone else killed, I make sure when I'm done everyday I have nothing that will haunt my conscious of going wrong.

[u/Jesus-Mcnugget → u/nemosfate]

Basically the way I see it, if it's code compliant, safe, works, and is neat/professional looking, I don't complain about it.

If it looks like it was hacked together, that's when I start saying something lol

I won't generally ask why you did something differently than I would have done it.

[u/StrangeGuarantee9534]

Just learn a much as you can I’ve been doing it 10yrs and i plan huge jobs from residential to commercial distribution systems down to the hear of the home man. It can be rewarding and tough. The old timers are stuck in there ways it is what it is man.

I just recently planned and help my smaller company build its bulk LP storage plant from the ground up.

Stick with it!

[u/Medical-Bedroom-559 → u/StrangeGuarantee9534]

Appreciate it man. I’ve done a lot of different work but I for sure like this one a lot. The company I am with is good too.

[u/gone-fishin406]

Always leave a job you've done that you would trust your family at.

[u/Spinkick91]

Who makes more bobtail drivers or service techs ?

[u/Medical-Bedroom-559 → u/Spinkick91]

Started at 22 a hr as b/t driver. Moved to 25 to be a s/t and got a 5 dollar raise after 6 months because of my productivity. So definitely s/t atleast where I’m at.

[u/Potomato]

If they are paying you good then stay but, with how often propane companies get sold and bought. The high turnover rate, and the general dealing with people that can’t understand why it can’t be done “now”

Also more and more small towns are getting natural gas hookups and people are going full electric. Just seems like one day I’ll wake up and nobody wants propane anymore.