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Originally Posted by secorp

You would have to be a chiller tech to make 30 plus in most parts of Florida, Miami and Lauder-dale have the most union influence and highest pay.

If you like residential Palm Beach is millionaire row.

Right now, everybody that I have ever met that comes down here from the North end of were ever, end up hating themselves and the State. the grass may be greener but at least when someone pees in the snow you know it right away.

hah thanks for the info, ya I only do ressy now as side jobs on weekends. I work on rooftops/chillers/refrigeration/pneumatics/building automation/boilers/geo-thermo, work for a smaller company with some nice accounts that lets me touch everything. Getting harder when you have to go outside in +30C and then -30C weather, but again equipment breaks down more with our extreme temperature changes.

You would have to be a chiller tech to make 30 plus in most parts of Florida, Miami and Lauder-dale have the most union influence and highest pay.

If you like residential Palm Beach is millionaire row.

Right now, everybody that I have ever met that comes down here from the North end of were ever, end up hating themselves and the State. the grass may be greener but at least when someone pees in the snow you know it right away.

Originally Posted by secorp

Tampa was at 12 percent unemployment, Florida as a whole is over 11 percent and climbing. Obama was in Tampa today talking jobs. I would get hired first before moving, even then......last one hired first one fired/laid off.

I would of course get a job before I moved , but as I stated I was more into getting information on how it is working there before I went ahead. I'm making almost 38 an hour now and that is about what union pays up here as well for commercial/industrial techs. If the same work is being done down there for $15 an hour it wouldn't be worth it at this moment in my life, for 30-35 and the sun it would be.

Tampa was at 12 percent unemployment, Florida as a whole is over 11 percent and climbing. Obama was in Tampa today talking jobs. I would get hired first before moving, even then......last one hired first one fired/laid off.

Originally Posted by Mikey83

Im in a non-union company now anyways

My original post was more to find out how it is working in Florida, how are the hourly rates and how is the job market. But every question answered seems that now is not a good time to presue this at this time. Thanks everyone for the info.

Guys are working for $15 an hour, some are getting more, some are working commission.

Originally Posted by bwalley

You will need a work permit or visa, check with the embassy.

Not many Union shops that I am aware of, there are some good shops in Tampa, but with the economy, people are getting laid off quite a bit.

Im in a non-union company now anyways

My original post was more to find out how it is working in Florida, how are the hourly rates and how is the job market. But every question answered seems that now is not a good time to presue this at this time. Thanks everyone for the info.

Originally Posted by acman17

Can anyone let me know the requirements of the US government to allow me to work in Florida? I am Canadian and fully qualified (and ticketed) with 15+ years HVAC experience.
Also is the Tampa area good for HVAC companies? Union?
Thanks.

You will need a work permit or visa, check with the embassy.

Not many Union shops that I am aware of, there are some good shops in Tampa, but with the economy, people are getting laid off quite a bit.

Thanks for the info guys, but ya a paycut for me is fine if i dont have to work in -25C snow drifts. Your taxes are less, no snow, less car insurance per month, housing market down, so I would go down there on a work visa no problem. Having paid for a 2 bedroom condo for close to $300k and my friend who lives 10 mins outside Orlando buying a 2700 sq. ft house that was made in 2007 for $170K in the sunshine state doesnt seem too bad, no basements down there though.

You can have my job in a couple weeks when I leave to learn how to crash and rebuild choo-choo tranes. tampa union shop, new-ish van, company supplied tools/uniforms, etc.

They pay you in sunshine!Not much more.

Fl is a right to work state.Union's almost slim to none.wages are not that great down here as the the cost of living is high compared to wages.Good luck.

what makes you think we would just let you in.

Originally Posted by 73Stingray

Or you could try marrying an American..lol Thats what I did, not intentionally for citizenship or anything, just turned out that way. She hasn't actually lived in the US since she was 3 and we are almost 40 now.

Even marrying an American girl isn't a guarantee of getting a permit or green card to stay in the US. I'm British and I visited some friends in Ohio during the mid ninieties and did some fact finding whilst I was there, but didn't do any work though. I just watched everybody else work if you know what I mean.

If you marry an American citizen you have to be able to prove to the INS that you have been aquainted for years. Also preferably have some documented evidence that you have stayed in each others countries and indeed you haven't just landed and got married to the first person you have met.

Anyway I always thought that Canadians and Americans had the freedom of passage and were allowed to live and work in each others country. Is this not the case? I remember one of the times I was in Niagra there were Americans and Canadians freely passing over the rainbow bridge frontier, and just showing their drivers licences with no mither whatsoever from the immigration service.

With the exception of one or two visitors to the US with no luggage trying to enter Canada then re-enter the US for a fresh visa in their passports. I myself am currently looking into emmigrating to Canada, but I can't find enough out about financial security such as pensions, and have been told that I will have to work as an electrician which I don't fancy doing, and not in refrigeration as I haven't been back in the trade for more than two years in the past ten years.

In fact the more I look into it and find out the work situation is bad all over Canada, it would make me feel guilty of moving there and taking a job when there may be a Canadian who is left unemployed. I'm 45 next and I honestly think about time the work situation picks up I will be approaching 50 and will be too old. And I would hate to think that I have moved to a country to be unemployed with no income when I have a job over here. Despite all these web agencies claiming there is loads of work opportunities in Canada. The Canadian High Commision included.

Anyway sorry for digressing and good look with your move, I hope it works out OK for you.

Any updates on this? I'm curious to move down to Florida(Tampa) area as I have family down there and sick of working in the winters up here in Ontario. I am a licensed HVAC mechanic with G2, ODP, and 7 years of working on commercial/industrial HVAC equipment. Did a search on found this thread, but not much more as hourly pay and how is work down there. Family saying it hasn't been good in Florida with housing and jobs.

Tampa Union (UA 123) and HVAC companies

I am sure if you search for info on United Assoc local 123, you will find it to be rather pathetic. I was an apprentice with them and left in disgust. They force down your throat their political views and ideologies. If you don't follow their lead, you are cast aside. One of the first questions I was asked in my interview with a union person at Johnson Controls was "Are you a Republican?"

Gimme a break. Who cares? Am I qualified? Is a question. Am I worthy of the task you are interviewing me? Valid question. Race, religion, polical viewpoint, etc are NOT valid questions.

There are VERY few companies associated with local 123 for HVAC work. As a matter of fact many of their 3rd year apprentices in HVAC have NEVER worked in HVAC, only the pipefitting side.

Their two main contractors are JCI and MSI.

There are many high quality non-union shops that pay VERY well in Tampa (better than a union package). Also, 123 does not do residential. Currently, I am learning residential, small commercial, and restaurant / supermarket refrigeration at my firm and working as a helper. I am quite satisfied with the choice I amde and the company I chose.

I am very junior in this industry. I just switched over recently from the finance world. I am much happier working with my hands and talking with people about AC and whatnot than I ever was in finance and fighting against an evil industry.

Hopefully this sincere and honest answer will provide you with what you need.

Best of luck!

Now this is a thread I have been looking for anyone one have any more ideas how to do it or if someone is looking for help.

Originally Posted by HVAC9900

The beer isn't as good,and the hockey can be painful to watch at times.....not sure how the lightning is doing this year,has to be better than atlanta....

I was recently in Tampa, found an imported beer shop that sells Canadian beer for half the price I pay here!!
Also went to a couple Lightning games, not the best hockey, but tickets were very affordable.
Watched a Bucs game too, Tampa is a great place, at least from a tourist point of view.
Just curious about the wages etc and economy right now.

Or you could try marrying an American..lol Thats what I did, not intentionally for citizenship or anything, just turned out that way. She hasn't actually lived in the US since she was 3 and we are almost 40 now.

You'll need a work permit/and or apply for green card,depending on how long you are staying.The company will have to be involved as well.

The beer isn't as good,and the hockey can be painful to watch at times.....not sure how the lightning is doing this year,has to be better than atlanta....


Can't help on the union there,but know there are active people on the board who are from the area,who can tell you whats going on.

Move from Canada to Tampa Florida

Can anyone let me know the requirements of the US government to allow me to work in Florida? I am Canadian and fully qualified (and ticketed) with 15+ years HVAC experience.
Also is the Tampa area good for HVAC companies? Union?
Thanks.