Any Hussmann techs out there?

[94blowncobra]

Curious, how you all like working for Hussmann. Seems most techs dont make it past 2-3 years with them before jumping ship?

[markettech]

You work for Hussmann - or just curious about taking a job with them?

[94blowncobra]

You work for Hussmann - or just curious about taking a job with them?
I work for em.

[markettech]

There's a guy who transferred from a Hussmann shop somewhere in Florida to Wisconsin in the last couple of months. I bet he's lovin' life right about now:D

Hussmann territory manager called me a week or so ago looking to start a shop in town and have me run the thing. Pay is in line - seems like they're not afraid to throw a little money around.

[smilies]

Every Hussmann shop is different. Here in Phoenix they've had their troubles (mgmt), but seem to be rebounding now. Yea, they are not the highest paying shop here, but far from cheapest (with constant work). Been here for several weeks, so far so good. Wish we did more EMS though. (I'm almost tempted to go to another shop just for that fact) I love that FX though, really cuts down on paperwork and follow ups are better tracked.

[ds650]

actually hussmann is starting to be very tight fisted with the money. i have worked with 7 different people over the past year and 5 of them no longer. they try to hard to get new people and not hard enough on keeping the ones they have. seems for me the ship is taking on water.

[absrbrtek]

I would have to agree.
actually hussmann is starting to be very tight fisted with the money. i have worked with 7 different people over the past year and 5 of them no longer. they try to hard to get new people and not hard enough on keeping the ones they have. seems for me the ship is taking on water.

[smilies]

actually hussmann is starting to be very tight fisted with the money. i have worked with 7 different people over the past year and 5 of them no longer. they try to hard to get new people and not hard enough on keeping the ones they have. seems for me the ship is taking on water.

Do you see the 'ratings' for the different areas? We're #7 for the year out of 20 is it?, but some areas are real bad.
Hey, the market game is getting worse--everybody expects an effin balls low contract AND top notch Techs. That ain't happening. Some are jumping ship to HVAC. It's disturbing to hear your GM say "We're billing them more than the other", then you find out they are talking about $3 an hour. Lame

[engineerdave]

It ain't so bad. Sure, some days suck. Bad. But you get that anywhere you go. Hussmann's been fair with me.

[nesc522]

I work out of the Salem,NH branch. I can easily make more an hour somewhere else, but more a week is a different story. Tim

[94blowncobra]

I work out of the Salem,NH branch. I can easily make more an hour somewhere else, but more a week is a different story. Tim
Yea our weekly checks are great cause we put in 70-100 hrs in half the year! Let me tell you, 90+ hrs in a week is nutts! I dont want to make 5$ an hour and have to work 90 hours for a decent weekly check..Screw that....If i didnt have a wife and a 2 year old son it would be all gravy....

[markettech]

Yea our weekly checks are great cause we put in 70-100 hrs in half the year! Let me tell you, 90+ hrs in a week is nutts! I dont want to make 5$ an hour and have to work 90 hours for a decent weekly check..Screw that....If i didnt have a wife and a 2 year old son it would be all gravy....

I feel your pain. The last company I worked for did 90-95% market work in a 200-250 mile radius of the home shop. 70 hrs a week was the norm.............100 hrs a week in the summer or dead of winter was not uncommon.

Looking back on it, we were paid pretty well and the take home on a 70 hr week was awesome - but - at what cost? 3 little ones at home that I wouldn't see for days at a time. Spending more summer nights sleeping in my truck than with my wife.

At this point I'm pretty much 40 and done. Money is a little less, but family life is much better;)

[94blowncobra]

I feel your pain. The last company I worked for did 90-95% market work in a 200-250 mile radius of the home shop. 70 hrs a week was the norm.............100 hrs a week in the summer or dead of winter was not uncommon.

Looking back on it, we were paid pretty well and the take home on a 70 hr week was awesome - but - at what cost? 3 little ones at home that I wouldn't see for days at a time. Spending more summer nights sleeping in my truck than with my wife.

At this point I'm pretty much 40 and done. Money is a little less, but family life is much better;)
Yea, im trying to settle in and get comfortable and then move on or something. I can do a 60 hr week like its nothing, but i dont want anymore than that. It really cuts into the family life.

BTW, nice avatar Markettech, looks like some of our 404a low temp racks!:)

[nesc522]

Yea our weekly checks are great cause we put in 70-100 hrs in half the year! Let me tell you, 90+ hrs in a week is nutts! I dont want to make 5$ an hour and have to work 90 hours for a decent weekly check..Screw that....If i didnt have a wife and a 2 year old son it would be all gravy....

True. I have a wife, a 3 yr old, and a 6 month old. It just makes sense for me to work like a dog for now. If I went back to working a 40hr a week job, then she would have to work. She would be lucky to make $10 an hr. That just doesn't work, she is more valuable to me at home. With the OT we make its like having a second full time income. Your other thread did get my attention. I'm moving back to Georgia this year, and I'm going to look into transferring to the Powder Springs branch. A cut in pay is not an option, I know the salary scale is the same for Atlanta. If the Powder Springs branch is anything like what you are describing in Florida, I'll will have to work for a different company. Tim

[Dowadudda]

Summer is the worst. When everyone else is partying, boating, taking the kids all over, cook outs and baseball games.

It's those times, where you on the other hand, your on your way home from being in a machine room on a friday or saturday night. It's been a tough long hot day. 10,11 pm. Knowing the next day, which can be Sunday, your gonna be gone again. You just wanna go home, shower, beer, go to bed.

I think all market guys go through this.

I am home Friday night now. Couldn't wait to get home. Off for two full days, plus tonight. Been on call all last week. I am starting cherish the time off. Kick back and relax. It sucks going for days with a lot of hours. It wears on you. what ever I do in my future down the road. One thing for sure is to seek some balance from work. I haven't had a summer I can remember in a long time where, I can say I really enjoyed it.

[vlux]

I think a lot of slowing down depends on a good wife. My wife does'nt spend, charge, or ask for anything. We live in a 1000sq.ft.home with our two kids[19,21]. Hell I can make it on 200 bucks a week if I have to. Its all in how much you want and how many toys.

[94blowncobra]

I think a lot of slowing down depends on a good wife. My wife does'nt spend, charge, or ask for anything. We live in a 1000sq.ft.home with our two kids[19,21]. Hell I can make it on 200 bucks a week if I have to. Its all in how much you want and how many toys.
Funny you say that. My "HOBBY", is drag racing. I have a soon to be 8 second blown mustang which is a big money pit..Its hard to juggle the home improvements and a race car:D
But, it keeps me sane,,,,,,,to a point;)

[94blowncobra]

I am home Friday night now. Couldn't wait to get home. Off for two full days, plus tonight. Been on call all last week. I am starting cherish the time off. Kick back and relax. It sucks going for days with a lot of hours. It wears on you. what ever I do in my future down the road. One thing for sure is to seek some balance from work. I haven't had a summer I can remember in a long time where, I can say I really enjoyed it.Man, seems we are on the exact same page! On my 3rd beer now!:p

Im on call this next week, so i might as well tip a few back before the torture comes. What Really sucks is im on a every 3 week rotation!!!!:eek:

[94blowncobra]

True. I have a wife, a 3 yr old, and a 6 month old. It just makes sense for me to work like a dog for now. If I went back to working a 40hr a week job, then she would have to work. She would be lucky to make $10 an hr. That just doesn't work, she is more valuable to me at home. With the OT we make its like having a second full time income. Your other thread did get my attention. I'm moving back to Georgia this year, and I'm going to look into transferring to the Powder Springs branch. A cut in pay is not an option, I know the salary scale is the same for Atlanta. If the Powder Springs branch is anything like what you are describing in Florida, I'll will have to work for a different company. Tim

Well, if you have experience with racks you should atleat get 20$. I took a cut from where i was just to get in the door. Now that im in for almost a year now and holding my own its time to revolt!!! SHOW ME THE MONEY !!!:D

[NedFlanders]

Summer is the worst. When everyone else is partying, boating, taking the kids all over, cook outs and baseball games.

It's those times, where you on the other hand, your on your way home from being in a machine room on a friday or saturday night. It's been a tough long hot day. 10,11 pm. Knowing the next day, which can be Sunday, your gonna be gone again. You just wanna go home, shower, beer, go to bed.

I think all market guys go through this.

I am home Friday night now. Couldn't wait to get home. Off for two full days, plus tonight. Been on call all last week. I am starting cherish the time off. Kick back and relax. It sucks going for days with a lot of hours. It wears on you. what ever I do in my future down the road. One thing for sure is to seek some balance from work. I haven't had a summer I can remember in a long time where, I can say I really enjoyed it.

Summer flat out sucks

[MikeySq]

I hear about the hours it can get pretty long sometimes, I have been doing the ant thing lately(not the grasshopper method haha) I have been banking hours over 40 per week, I flew home for christmas and was gone for 2 and a half weeks, paid with banked hours, and since Jan 7 i have 70 on the chit again. initally i started doing it for if it got slow, but it dosn't liik that way so i just may start taking it, although the tax man takes a bigger cut, also thinkin of dumping it into RRSP's

As far as the hours are concerned I don't really mind the work, I'm 28 and single, no kids and don't mind extra work, most of the other guys I work with have familys and i frequently offer my time as available when they're on call, why not I ain't got **** all else to do hahah. But i guess that's the kind of person I am haha I hope wenn I'm in that stage I could get some relief every now and again!! it would be nice!

on call rotation is 5 weeks for me so it's ok in that sensehttp://www.hvac-talk.com/vbb/images/icons/icon14.gif

[MikeySq]

Summer flat out sucks

yeah last year i put less than 2000 kilometers on my bike, that's just wrong hahaha not even one trip to Pennsylvania, :(

[MikeySq]

..... its time to revolt!!! SHOW ME THE MONEY !!!:D

hahah Jerry Maguire is just starting right now in TBS haha, lol

3 posts in a row.... my posting here now is out numbering my beers drank! hahaha
:D

[aprophet]

hello all i worked for hussman for a couple of years the pay was a lot different then what y,all describe depending on what town i was in mostly east coast i made $14-$35 hr the reason i found another gig was i like being in town found a service gig that pays respectably and i get to stay in town 100 mile radius i get to do alot of work in outer banks nc hvac small and market work just like always still have a few friends doing the hussman thingy they seem to like it . later y,all ap aka david :D

[94blowncobra]

i made $14-$35 hr :confused:

[aprophet]

hey dude i worked as a pipefitter on diffrent commisarys/base,s i was payed whatever union scale was for that town hth aprophet aka david

[TMH58]

Midwest tech/pipefitter, 20 + years. Burned out. 70+ hours a week for probably 12 of those. Money was great, but the hassles just got to me. Every time you would pop a top or start the bar-b-que, beep beep beep. I covered the entire central Il. region for many chains. Gave it up and went to an advisory/consulting position. Money is good, but not as good as 70+ hours a week. It takes a special kind of person to put up with it. Some or most HVAC guys want nothing to do with refrigeration. I love it. Good luck with the long hours. You will burn out without a break once in a while. I was the only local refrigeration tech in the town I was in. 100,000 people. Every week end ,every week, 24 a day, 52 a year for 3 straight. Enough is enough is enough.

[rpdstl]

Who Do You Consult For ???????

[exhussmann]

I worked for Hussmann for 20 years, 10 in the R & D lab at Bridgeton, MO.

When IR took Hussmann over they just gutted the place.
Earlier in the thread someone mentioned that Hussmann does more to attract new people and not enough to keep who they all ready have.
That is true.

IR pink slipped 20% of the home office when they took over.
Who did they get rid of?

Anyone below the level of supervisor with more than 20 years of seniority went out the door.

They have NO loyalty or honor.

[engineerdave]

Ex -
That's an old old story with large corps. Hope you were able to bounce back. Like I said earlier, they've been fair with me. Think I'll stick with 'em a while.

[TMH58]

Well , I believe I have consulted you several times, rptstl...

[exhussmann]

Engineerdave,

Depends on what you mean by bounce back.
I have a job where I do not have to work on roofs or out in bad weather, but it does not compare to the enjoyment and sense of fulfillment I got from doing the R&D work.

Have you worked with the R.I.M. doors (Innovator)?
If so what do you think of them?

[exhussmann]

Engineerdave,

Depends on what you mean by bounce back.
I have a job where I do not have to work on roofs or out in bad weather, but it does not compare to the enjoyment and sense of fulfillment I got from doing the R&D work.

Have you worked with the R.I.M. doors (Innovator)?
If so what do you think of them?

[engineerdave]

Recently did a CSNI Campaign at Walmart. Added hold-opens to the bottoms. The word from the FSE was when held open only at the tops, the doors would tend to twist slightly, causing problems with door heater. I never did actually observe the problem myself, and I guess only time will tell if the lower hold-opens do the trick. Hopefully it's a problem solved. Were those R.I.M. doors?

[exhussmann]

If the doors were flexible, it sounds like R.I.M. doors.
They are a poly-iso type of material. (kind of rubbery).

That issue was present back in 2000 and I had a fix for it, but the powers that be did not want to implement it.

It is a good product as long as the store does not try to run them out side of their normal ranges.