2months into boces program, ny looking to relocate to fl, opinions guidenes jobs HELP

[ndj22]

Hello all little update, I am 2 months into the boces refrigeration and air conditioning program have about a month left. Mixed feelings on the program understanding why everyone has said there's no education like being out in the field. At the end of the program i will be taking the EPA exam. And then looking for a helper position or even apprentice ship. I'm also now faces with a option to relocate to the Tampa/Spring Hill FL area as my girlfriend is now living there. Anyone in That area can shed some light or info for me as far as jobs/pay/work anything? Seeing if I could make it in the area apposed to staying in Long Island. Any info will be greatly Appreciated, Thank You All

[FL.HVAC]

I am further south than Tampa but there is work down here in Florida, if you are willing to work for almost nothing for a while then gain some experience and respect. Always a need for good mechanics down here not much of a so called "winter" down here. Seems like I am always doing no cools in January. :/

[ndj22]

That's good to hear that there is work, pay wise being next to nothing as a entry level can I expect at least 500 a week? I understand I have to work my way up the latter. Are there unions in fl as well? How are those, might be something I can try to get into then make my move to the south

[FixItRight]

The local in tampa starts at 14 and change a hour. As for non union would say close to 10 a hour for commercial.

[MechanicallyInclined]

So the Trane franchise wouldn't do a couple of dollars over 1st year Apprentice equivalent as an entry-level?

[cavalieri85]

Helpers start in the 10-14 dollar range depending on the company.Florida is one of the lowest paying states. Trane may pay more but getting a job there is not an easy task they are very particular. You would make the most going to the unions and doing there apprenticeship. The company i work for is a good place to work and is commercial only with tons of refrigeration. I can give you some more info on them if you wanna pm me they have a branch in every major city in florida and georgia and all throughout the midwest.

[MechanicallyInclined]

Trane in my area is TBS, they're not a franchise. They're also non-Union. An HVAC Service Helper can start about $3/Hr. above the comparable 1st year Apprentice. Not taking into consideration the fringes. Getting Service Journeyman equivalent without being at Trane for years on in, that's a different story.

[ndj22]

FixItRight thanks for the tip i will look up the Tampa local
cavalieri85 thanks for the info also, i sent you a email to your address listed in your profile, don't have access to the PMs yet :whistle:

i also sent in a application to Johnson Controls in Tampa FL last night

[ndj22]

FixItRight that would be LOCAL UNION 123 correct?

[FixItRight]

So the Trane franchise wouldn't do a couple of dollars over 1st year Apprentice equivalent as an entry-level?
Trane is a great place to work but if you don't know much you will not make much. Starts at only 11 or 12 and you need at least a tech school for that but the training
is the best.

[FixItRight]

FixItRight that would be LOCAL UNION 123 correct?
Yes that is correct.

[ndj22]

i will have to give them a call tomorrow there website seems to be not functioning correctly. thanks again

[ndj22]

Got to have a talk with local 123 super nice guy, unfortunately schools have already began and they wont be reviewing applications until may/june

[Tech Rob]

Trane is a great place to work but if you don't know much you will not make much. Starts at only 11 or 12 and you need at least a tech school for that but the training
is the best.

I agree with this statement. Some Trane offices can base your pay on your experience and your level of understanding of the equipment as determined by an oral interview with a couple of senior techs. The pay might be a little higher than that now. The training is the best.

[Trehak01]

I work here in Central Florida there is work here and FL HVAC said you will work for pennies here. try try try to find a respectful company to work for here, it seems like there are too many scam companies here and not enough honest companies here that care. If you are interested in commercial refrigeration that would be a better path career wise and for the pocket book. good luck

[Tech Rob]

What I've found is that companies in Florida that do refrigeration only or lots of it with a little HVAC don't want to pay very well because they exist in a world of cheap-azz chinese restauranteurs and retail store managers. However, commercial refrigeration is good, steady, year-round work that keeps your brain engaged.

You won't be working on much refrigeration equipment if you get hooked up with a union. You'll be brushing tubes on chillers or beveling pipe in a nuke plant for the next 4 years (This is a slight exaggeration)

[MechanicallyInclined]

Whose fault would all this be? Around here, it's SR and HS (yes, HS in non-Union here) that do most of the Com. Ref. Svc, H-P isn't here anymore. Residential AC Svc goes for around $90/Hr, regardles of labor affiliation. It all goes up from there, except Com. Ref. done by SR and HS. They're in a dog fight for customers at around $65/Hr. So once again who's at fault?

[ndj22]

I'm ready to come on board with anyone who can teach me the ropes, eager to learn. Don't mind union or not

[STSMech]

Hello all little update, I am 2 months into the boces refrigeration and air conditioning program have about a month left. Mixed feelings on the program understanding why everyone has said there's no education like being out in the field. At the end of the program i will be taking the EPA exam. And then looking for a helper position or even apprentice ship. I'm also now faces with a option to relocate to the Tampa/Spring Hill FL area as my girlfriend is now living there. Anyone in That area can shed some light or info for me as far as jobs/pay/work anything? Seeing if I could make it in the area apposed to staying in Long Island. Any info will be greatly Appreciated, Thank You All

Although I don't know your situation...I would work a few years for a reputable company in nyc (pj mech, bp, arista etc), get involved with 638, gain experience and visit your gf via Jetblue. Spring hill is not the place to start. Tampa is a great place. I cannot complain, I earn a living and then some, but I'm relating your post to my experiences. Any questions shoot me an email

[Tech Rob]

Although I don't know your situation...I would work a few years for a reputable company in nyc (pj mech, bp, arista etc), get involved with 638, gain experience and visit your gf via Jetblue. Spring hill is not the place to start. Tampa is a great place. I cannot complain, I earn a living and then some, but I'm relating your post to my experiences. Any questions shoot me an email

I second what he said. Nothing in Spring Hill but de-valued Mcmansions and residential hackers. If you want to get some real valuable experience, you need to be where the big buildings and the big systems are. Stay where you're at for a while, and in a few years if you still like Tampa, you can come down here and make a mint. Companies down here get major wood for someone who's union-trained and from anywhere north of the mason dixon.

What's up STS, from another Tampa local!
:putergreet:

[ndj22]

Thanks for the advice guys. Going to spring hill first is out of the question now. I would start off in Tampa and live there but it does make sence to start off in NY and gain as much expirence as I can to use that as a upper hand for when i decide (if i decide) to end up in Tampa. Just eager to get out in the world on my own and have my own place/responsibilities

[cavalieri85]

getting some boiler experience in ny would def go a long way in florida. most people down here cannot do that kind of work especially if you get into south florida. no need for heat when the coldest temps you see are 50 degrees 2 days a year

[ndj22]

I am hoping someone will take me under there wings to learn as much as i can. highly motivated!

[cavalieri85]

Do you know what you wanna do. This is a huge trade. Controls, duct mechanic, pipefitter, commercial service, resi service , refrigeration service, industrial service, they are all different good and bad but knowing what you want and going for it from the start will help you

[ndj22]

STS i shot you a email

i think i am leaning towards the service end, Which one i am open too? Who ever will hire me lol. its kind of like the only thing we have been working with in this boces program. Maybe ductwork is another option as well because i did work with bending metal in the sign shop i worked for before